Adoption Visa Australia (Subclass 102)

Home >

Adoption Visa Australia

What is the Adoption Visa (Subclass 102)?

The Adoption Visa (subclass 102) is a permanent residency visa for children adopted outside Australia by Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It allows the adopted child to move to Australia, live with their adoptive family, and enjoy full PR rights.

Who is Eligible for the Adoption Visa 102?

To apply for an adoption visa in Australia:

The child must have been adopted (legally) outside Australia by a parent who:
- is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- was an Australian citizen/PR/NZ citizen at the time the adoption was arranged
The adoption must be recognised under Australian and local law
The child must be under 18 years old at the time of adoption and at visa application
The child must be single (never married/engaged/in a de facto relationship)
The adoption must have been arranged or recognised by a state/territory adoption authority OR comply with Hague Convention procedures

Who Can Sponsor?

Adoptive parent(s) who are Australian citizens, PRs, or eligible New Zealand citizens
The sponsor must be over 18 and usually resident in Australia

Key Features of the Adoption Visa

Permanent residency for the adopted child
Access to Medicare, Australian schools/universities, and all PR benefits
Pathway to citizenship (if eligible)
Live, study, and work in Australia
Right to sponsor relatives in the future

Adoption Visa vs Child Visa 101/802

Feature	Adoption Visa (102)	Child Visa 101/802
Who is it for?	Children adopted overseas by eligible parents	Biological, step, or some adopted children (depending on adoption date & parent status)
Where is child at application?	Outside Australia only	101: Outside / 802: In Australia
When was parent eligible?	Must be citizen/PR/NZ at adoption	101: Can become eligible after birth/adoption

Tip: If adoption occurred after the parent became an Australian citizen/PR/NZ citizen, the adoption visa is required. If the parent gained citizenship/PR after the adoption, the child visa may be an option.

Special Rules & Cautions

The adoption must not be primarily for visa migration purposes
Inter-country adoptions must be arranged via a state/territory central authority or be a Hague Convention adoption
Stepchildren, or children adopted in Australia, are not eligible for the 102 visa

Need advice on your adoption visa Australia application?

Contact our team for step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and fast-track support.

🚀 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Get Your Question Answered

Practice Areas

FAQ

Get answers to frequently asked questions about our immigration services and processes. For additional assistance, please reach out to us.

Can my adopted child be in Australia when I apply?

No—the child must be outside Australia at the time of application and at decision.

Yes—as long as the adoption was completed while you held citizenship/PR/NZ citizenship.

What if the parent became a citizen/PR after adoption?

In some cases, the child visa 101 may be more appropriate.

Are stepchildren or Australian-born adopted children eligible?

No—this visa is only for children legally adopted overseas by eligible Australian parents.