A child visa lets the dependent or adopted child of an Australian parent live here. Registered migration agents in Brisbane explain the 101 and 802. Book a consult.
A child visa lets the dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently. It covers biological children, adopted children, and in some cases stepchildren, and it can be lodged either from inside or outside Australia. It’s usually a straightforward family visa, but the definition of a “dependent child” and the age and study rules are where things get technical. Our registered migration agents in Brisbane help parents get it right.
A child visa is a permanent visa for a child being sponsored by their parent in Australia. Which subclass applies depends on where the child is when you lodge.
Applying outside Australia: the Child visa (subclass 101). The child is overseas when the application is made.
Applying inside Australia: the Child visa (subclass 802). The child is already in Australia, often having arrived on another visa.
Both lead to permanent residency. There are also related visas for children in other situations, such as an orphan relative visa for a child whose parents can’t care for them, and separate pathways for a child adopted overseas. We’ll point you to the right one.
This is the part that trips families up. A child visa is for a child who is genuinely dependent on the parent, and the rules turn on age and circumstances.
Under 18: generally treated as dependent without much fuss.
18 and over: can still qualify if the child is dependent on the parent, for example because they’re studying full time and not yet financially independent, or because they can’t support themselves due to a disability.
The child must usually be unmarried and not in a de facto relationship.
Because “dependent” has a specific meaning here, older children need their situation checked carefully before you assume they’re eligible. We do that first, so you don’t lodge on a wrong assumption.
The sponsor is the parent in Australia, who needs to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. If a parent is applying for their own visa, such as a partner visa, it’s often better to include the children in that application rather than lodging a separate child visa. We’ll advise which route is cleaner and cheaper for your family.
Adopted children can be covered, but the pathway depends on how and when the adoption happened. A child adopted overseas through an intercountry process usually falls under the adoption visa rules rather than the standard child visa. Stepchildren can sometimes be sponsored where there’s a genuine parental relationship and, in many cases, a parental responsibility order. These distinctions matter, so let us confirm which category your child falls into.
A child visa carries a government application charge, and processing times move around depending on the department’s workload and the child’s circumstances. Because those figures change, we’ll give you the current fee and a realistic timeframe for your situation in your consultation. The bigger cost of getting it wrong is usually a delay or a request for more evidence, which we work to avoid by preparing the application properly the first time.
We confirm whether your child meets the dependent-child definition, especially for children over 18.
We work out whether the 101, the 802, or inclusion in a parent’s visa is the right route.
We prepare the evidence of the parent-child relationship and dependency.
We handle adopted-child and step-child situations, and point you to the adoption pathway where that applies.
We respond to any requests from the department and keep the application moving.
Both are permanent child visas. The 101 is for a child who is outside Australia when you apply. The 802 is for a child who is already in Australia. The right one depends on where your child is at the time of lodging.
Possibly. An adult child can qualify if they’re still genuinely dependent on you, for example if they’re studying full time and not financially independent, or can’t support themselves due to a disability. We’ll check whether your child meets the dependency test.
If you’re applying for your own visa, such as a partner visa, it’s often simpler and cheaper to include dependent children in that application. If your visa is already granted, a separate child visa may be the way. We’ll advise on the best route.
It depends on how the adoption happened. A child adopted through an overseas intercountry process usually falls under the adoption visa rules, not the standard child visa. See our Adoption Visa page, and we’ll confirm which applies.
Often yes, where there’s a genuine parental relationship, and usually a parental responsibility order or similar. This is case-specific, so let us check your situation.
Yes, child visa applicants generally need to meet health and character requirements like other applicants. We’ll flag anything that might need attention early.
A child visa is a permanent visa, so once granted, the child can live, study and work in Australia with the same rights as other permanent residents.
In many cases, yes, using the subclass 802. Their current visa conditions can affect this, so it’s worth checking your specific situation with us first.
