CHILD VISA AUSTRALIA
Last Updated: 18 June 2026
Two Pathways to Permanent Residency for Your Child
The Child Visa Australia allows eligible children of Australian citizens and permanent residents to obtain permanent residency and live in Australia with their parents.
What Is a Child Visa in Australia?
The child visa Australia pathway allows a child to migrate permanently to Australia if their parent is:
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An Australian citizen
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An Australian permanent resident
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An eligible New Zealand citizen
This visa grants permanent residency (PR), meaning the child can:
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Live in Australia indefinitely
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Access Medicare (subject to eligibility)
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Study in Australia
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Apply for Australian citizenship later (if eligible)
This pathway is different from adding a dependent child to a skilled visa. It is specifically for situations where the parent already holds PR or citizenship and the child does not.
Types of Child Visa Australia
There are two main subclasses. The correct one depends on where the child is located at the time of application and decision.
Subclass 101 – Offshore Child Visa
The Subclass 101 Child Visa is for children who are outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted.
Key points:
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Application lodged from outside Australia
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Child must remain offshore at time of decision
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Permanent visa upon grant
This option is commonly used when:
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A parent becomes an Australian PR or citizen while their child remains overseas
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A child was not included in the parent’s original migration application
Subclass 802 – Onshore Child Visa
The Subclass 802 Child Visa is for children who are already in Australia at the time of application.
Key points:
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Child must be in Australia when applying
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Child must be in Australia at time of decision
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Permanent residency granted
This pathway is often used when:
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A child is in Australia on a visitor or student visa
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A parent gains PR after the child has already entered Australia
Child Visa Australia Requirements
To qualify, the child must meet specific eligibility criteria.
1. Relationship Requirement
The child must be:
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A biological child
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An adopted child (legal adoption recognised under Australian law)
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In limited cases, a step-child
The sponsoring parent must meet the citizenship or PR requirement.
2. Age Requirements
The child visa age limit Australia rules are strict.
The applicant must be:
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Under 18 years old, or
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Aged 18–25 and financially dependent on the parent while studying full-time, or
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Over 18 with a disability that prevents them from working and being financially independent
The child must not be married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship.
3. Dependency Requirement (18–25)
If over 18, the applicant must:
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Be enrolled in full-time study
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Rely financially on the sponsoring parent
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Not be working full-time
Financial documents are typically required to prove dependency.
4. Health and Character
The child must meet:
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Australian health requirements
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Character requirements (if aged 16 or over)
Medical examinations are generally mandatory.
Sponsor Requirements
To sponsor a child visa Australia application, the parent must:
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Be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
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Accept sponsorship responsibilities
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Provide financial and accommodation support if required
In some cases, custody documentation may be required if one parent is not migrating.
Processing Time for Child Visa Australia
Subclass 101
Base charge AUD 3,235. 50% of applications decided in 23 months, 90% in 30 months.
Subclass 802
Base charge AUD 3,235. 50% of applications decided in 20 months, 90% in 29 months.
Additional applicant charge
AUD 1,615 (18+), AUD 810 (under 18). Plus health exams, police certificates, translation.
Processing times vary depending on:
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Application completeness
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Location (onshore vs offshore)
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Custody documentation complexity
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Health checks
Offshore applications may take longer due to verification of overseas documents.
Applicants should ensure all documents are complete to avoid delays.
Child Visa Australia Cost
Child visa (subclass 101)
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Base application charge: AUD3,235.00
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Additional applicant charge 18 and over: AUD1,615.00
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Additional applicant charge under 18: AUD810.00
Child visa (subclass 802)
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Base application charge: AUD3,235.00
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Additional applicant charge 18 and over: AUD1,615.00
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Additional applicant charge under 18: AUD810.00
Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
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Base application charge: AUD3,235.00
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Additional applicant charge 18 and over: AUD1,615.00
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Additional applicant charge under 18: AUD810.00
The visa application charge depends on:
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Subclass (101 or 802)
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Whether the child is under or over 18
Additional costs may include:
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Health examinations
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Police clearances
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Document translations
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Professional assistance (if used)
Visa fees are subject to change and should be confirmed at the time of application.
Common Scenarios
Your child stayed home when you migrated.
You became a permanent resident or citizen, but your child is still overseas. Apply for Subclass 101 once you hold PR or citizenship.
Your child is already in Australia on another visa.
You gained PR after your child arrived as a student or visitor. Apply for Subclass 802 while your child remains in Australia.
Your child turns 18 during processing.
Eligibility is generally assessed at the time you lodge. If your child still meets the dependency and full-time study requirements, the application keeps moving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Applying under the wrong subclass (101 vs 802)
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Failing to provide custody consent from the other parent
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Not proving financial dependency for adult children
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Assuming all children under 25 qualify automatically
Each case must meet strict legislative criteria.
Child Visa vs Dependent Child in Other Visas
The child visa Australia pathway is different from:
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Including a child in a skilled visa (Subclass 189, 190, 491)
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Adding a newborn to an existing PR visa
If the parent already holds permanent residency, a separate Child Visa application is usually required.
Subclass 101 vs Subclass 802 at a Glance
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Child's location when you apply: Subclass 101 — outside Australia. Subclass 802 — inside Australia.
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Child's location when the decision is made: Subclass 101 — outside Australia. Subclass 802 — inside Australia.
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Visa outcome: Both grant permanent residency.
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Bridging visa: Subclass 101 — not applicable. Subclass 802 — usually granted if your child holds a substantive visa.
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Typical use case: Subclass 101 — your child wasn't included in your original migration application. Subclass 802 — you gained PR or citizenship after your child was already in Australia.
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Travel during processing: Subclass 101 — generally unrestricted. Subclass 802 — may need a Bridging Visa B to depart.
How to Apply for a Child Visa
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Confirm the correct subclass. Check your child's location: offshore means Subclass 101, onshore means Subclass 802.
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Gather your documents. Collect birth certificates, passports, proof of relationship, and consent or custody documents if one parent isn't included in the application.
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Arrange health and character checks. Book medical exams and, if your child is 16 or over, police certificates from every country they've lived in for 12 months or more.
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Lodge the application and pay the visa application charge. Check the Department's current lodgement method for this subclass before you submit.
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Respond to any request for information promptly. Missed deadlines on an RFI are one of the most common causes of delay.
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Receive the decision. Once granted, your child holds permanent residency and can travel to and from Australia for five years from the grant date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my child to Australia permanently?
Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and your child meets eligibility requirements.
Is the child visa permanent?
Yes. Both Subclass 101 and Subclass 802 grant permanent residency.
What is the age limit for child visa Australia?
Under 18, or 18–25 if financially dependent and studying full-time.
Can I bring my child to Australia permanently?
Yes, if you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident and your child meets the eligibility requirements.
Is the Child Visa a permanent visa?
Yes. Both Subclass 101 and Subclass 802 grant permanent residency.
What's the age limit for a Child Visa?
Under 18, or 18 to 25 if your child is financially dependent on you and studying full-time, or 18 and over with a disability that prevents them from working.
What's the difference between Subclass 101 and Subclass 802?
Location at the time of application and decision. Subclass 101 is for a child outside Australia; Subclass 802 is for a child already in Australia.
Can a step-child apply for a Child Visa?
In some circumstances, yes — your step-child may qualify if the relationship meets the legislative requirements and you provide the right evidence.
What happens if my child turns 18 while the application is being processed?
Eligibility is generally assessed at the time of lodgement. Your child still needs to keep meeting the dependency and study requirements through to the decision.
Does my adopted child need a different visa?
Possibly. Some adopted children apply under Subclass 101 or 802; others need the Adoption visa (Subclass 102), depending on when and how the adoption was finalised.
Do I need the other parent's consent?
If the other parent isn't included in the application and has legal decision-making rights for the child, you'll usually need their written consent or a court order before lodging.
Need help with a Child Visa?
RACC’s registered migration agents can assess your child’s eligibility, clarify whether Subclass 101 or 802 is appropriate, and assist with preparing an application that meets Australian Government requirements.
Small careless mistakes may result in visa rejection. Book a FREE consultation with Registered Migration Agents will help you get the visa without any headaches.
Why RACC?
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20+ years of experience
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Prepare for your application to the Immigration
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Preparation of Police Check
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Arrange for new Insurance
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Advice on Medical Checkup
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Don't let small careless mistake resulting in a Visa rejection
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You can also apply from outside Australia
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Our Team speak multiple languages
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English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa, Sinhalese, Malay, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi etc...
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