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Child Visa Australia

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Child Visa Australia

Child Visa Australia

What is a Child Visa?

A Child Visa Australia lets eligible children join their parent(s) in Australia as a permanent resident.
There are two main streams:

  • Offshore Child Visa (subclass 101): Apply outside Australia
  • Onshore Child Visa (subclass 802): Apply while in Australia

New in July 2025:
From 23 July 2025, applicants can import most paper child visa applications into ImmiAccount and manage their application online (some exceptions for very old applications).

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Who Can Sponsor a Child Visa?

  • An Australian citizen
  • Australian permanent resident
  • Eligible New Zealand citizen

Sponsors must be the child’s:

  • Biological parent
  • Adoptive parent (with special adoption rules)
  • Step-parent (only if from a former partner, and legal custody/parenting order is required)

Child Visa Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, the child must:

  • Be dependent on a parent who is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
  • Be:
    • Under 18 years old; or
    • Over 18 and under 25, AND a full-time student (financially dependent, not working full-time, in an eligible course); or
    • Over 18 and have a disability (unable to work due to loss of physical/mental function)
  • Be single (never married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship)
  • Be outside Australia when applying for subclass 101; in Australia for subclass 802
  • Meet health, character, and consent requirements
Special rules:
  • Adopted children: Must have been adopted before turning 18 by a parent who was not a citizen/PR/NZ citizen at the time of adoption. If the parent was already a citizen/PR/NZ citizen, use the Adoption visa.
  • Stepchildren: Only eligible if under 18 and from a former partner, with a court order/guardianship in place.
  • Citizenship by descent: If the child was born outside Australia to an Australian citizen parent, they may be eligible for citizenship by descent instead of a visa.
Key Application Rules & Conditions
  • Age and status:
    • Under 18: No relationship history required
    • 18–25: Must be a full-time student, not married/engaged/in a relationship, not working full-time, and financially dependent on the parent
    • 18+ with disability: Must be unable to work full-time due to total/partial loss of physical/mental function
  • Consent for minors:
    • Under 18 must have consent of everyone with legal custody OR be allowed to migrate by the home country OR migration is consistent with Australian child court orders
  • Best interests of the child:
    • Visa will not be granted if not in the best interests of an applicant under 18

Benefits of the Child Visa

  • Stay in Australia permanently
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare (public healthcare)
  • Sponsor other relatives
  • Access to free English classes (if eligible)
  • Pathway to citizenship (if eligible)

Step-by-Step Application

  1. Check eligibility & relationship
  2. Gather documents (birth/adoption certificates, custody/consent forms, sponsorship form, ID, health, character, etc.)
  3. Lodge application online via ImmiAccount (or import your paper application from 23 July 2025)
  4. Sponsor approval (Department checks sponsor’s character and history)
  5. Wait for health, biometrics, and additional checks
  6. Receive decision & permanent visa grant

Need expert help with your child visa Australia application?

Contact our team for step-by-step advice, complex cases, and fast-track document support.

📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

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Related Pages

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Practice Areas

Partner Visas
Family and Parent Visas
Work Related Visas
Waivers and Exemptions
Visa Refusal and Cancellation
Citizenship

FAQ

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

Who is eligible for a child visa Australia?

A dependent child of an Australian citizen/PR/NZ citizen, single, and under 18 (or 25 if a full-time student, or 18+ with a disability).

Can adopted or stepchildren get a child visa?

Yes, but special adoption or legal custody rules apply.

How do I check processing times?

Use the Department’s visa processing time tool.