The Child Migration Visa enables dependent children to migrate to Australia to be with their parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Australia offers several child visa subclasses to cover different circumstances, including children who are inside or outside Australia at the time of application. The most common are the Child visa (Subclass 101) for children outside Australia and the Child visa (Subclass 802) for children already in Australia.
These visas are designed to keep families together by allowing dependent children to live permanently in Australia with their parent. Once granted, the child receives permanent residency with access to Medicare, education and other essential services.
Who is this permit for?
This visa is for children of Australian citizens and permanent residents who are living overseas and want to move to Australia to be with their parent. It covers biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren.
The child has a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
The child is under 18 years of age, or if over 18, meets the dependent child criteria
The child is dependent on the sponsoring parent
The sponsoring parent is willing and able to provide financial support, accommodation and general welfare
The child meets Australian health and character requirements
If over 18, the child must be financially dependent and not have a spouse or de facto partner
Common reasons for rejection
Consent of both parents not provided: Both legal parents of the child must consent to the visa application unless a court order grants sole custody to the sponsoring parent. Failure to obtain or document both parents' consent, or to provide the appropriate court order, is a common and serious ground for refusal.
Child does not meet the dependency criteria: Children over 18 must be financially dependent on the sponsoring parent and must not have a spouse or de facto partner. Failing to adequately document financial dependency, or having an undisclosed partner, will result in refusal.
Parent-child relationship not adequately proven: Birth certificates, adoption orders or other legal documentation must clearly establish the parent-child relationship. Discrepancies, missing records or unrecognised adoptions are frequent causes of refusal or significant delay.
Sponsoring parent cannot demonstrate financial capacity: The sponsoring parent must show they are able to provide adequate financial support and accommodation for the child. Insufficient income, absence of a stable living arrangement or outstanding immigration debts can result in the sponsorship being refused.
Health requirements not met: The child must meet Australian health requirements. While waivers exist for some conditions, health issues that would impose significant ongoing costs on the healthcare system may result in refusal unless a waiver is granted.
Intercountry adoption requirements not met: For adopted children, the adoption must comply with Australia's intercountry adoption requirements and the Hague Convention (where applicable). Adoptions that are not legally recognised in Australia, or that were completed without following the required process, will result in refusal.
Application process
1. Eligibility Assessment
We review the family relationship, the child's age and dependency status, and the sponsoring parent's residency status to confirm eligibility for the appropriate child visa subclass.
2. Sponsorship Application
The sponsoring parent lodges a sponsorship application, demonstrating their ability to provide financial support and accommodation for the child.
3. Document Preparation
Gather all required documents including birth certificates, passport, proof of parent-child relationship, custody documents, parental consent and evidence of the sponsor's residency status.
4. Visa Application Lodgement
We prepare and submit the child visa application with all supporting documentation to the Department of Home Affairs.
5. Health and Character Checks
The child must undergo health examinations and, if applicable, provide police clearances. The sponsoring parent must also meet character requirements.
6. Visa Decision
The Department assesses the application and, once satisfied with all requirements, grants the permanent visa for the child.
Key considerations
The definition of "dependent child" includes biological children, adopted children and stepchildren in certain circumstances.
Children over 18 may still qualify if they are financially dependent on the parent and do not have a spouse or de facto partner.
Both parents of the child must consent to the grant of the visa, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as a court order granting sole custody.
The sponsoring parent must demonstrate the financial capacity to support the child and provide adequate accommodation.
Processing times for child visas can be lengthy, particularly for applications lodged outside Australia.
If the child is in Australia, they may be eligible for a bridging visa while the application is being processed.
The child visa grants permanent residency, providing access to Medicare, public education and other government services.
Adopted children may require additional documentation including adoption orders and compliance with intercountry adoption requirements.
Costs
The cost of a Child Migration Visa application includes government fees, health check expenses and professional service fees. Costs vary depending on the subclass and whether the child is inside or outside Australia.
Government Visa Fee (Subclass 101): AUD 2,880+
Government Visa Fee (Subclass 802): AUD 2,880+
Health Examinations: AUD 200 - 400 per child
Police Clearances (if applicable): AUD 50 - 200 per country
Exact costs depend on the specific subclass, the child's circumstances and the complexity of the case. Government fees are subject to change.
Processing timeframes
Processing times for child visas vary significantly depending on the subclass, the completeness of the application and whether additional documentation or interviews are required.
Document Preparation: 2 - 6 weeks
Subclass 101 Processing: 12 - 25 months
Subclass 802 Processing: 8 - 16 months
Total (Straightforward Case): 10 - 20 months
Job offer requirements
A job offer is not relevant to the Child Migration Visa, as the applicant is a dependent child who will be supported by their sponsoring parent.
The sponsoring parent must demonstrate adequate financial capacity to support the child. This may include evidence of employment, income or savings.
New World Immigration can advise on the financial evidence requirements and help you prepare a strong sponsorship application.
How to apply — step by step
1. Confirm the child's eligibility
Verify that the child is under 18 (or meets the over-18 dependency criteria), has a parent who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and that the parent-child relationship can be proven through legal documentation such as a birth certificate or adoption order.
2. Obtain consent from both parents
Both legal parents must consent to the child's migration to Australia. If only one parent holds custody (via a court order), obtain a certified copy of the order. If the other parent's whereabouts are unknown, seek advice on the appropriate procedure.
3. Sponsoring parent lodges a sponsorship application
The Australian citizen or permanent resident parent submits a sponsorship application demonstrating their residency status, financial capacity to support the child, and ability to provide suitable accommodation.
4. Gather all required documentation
Compile birth certificates, passport, proof of the parent-child relationship, custody orders (if applicable), evidence of financial capacity, and any adoption-related documents. Foreign documents may need to be translated and certified.
5. Complete health examinations and police clearances
Arrange health examinations with an approved panel physician. Police clearances are required for children aged 16 or over from every country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
6. Lodge the visa application
Submit the application through ImmiAccount, Subclass 101 if the child is outside Australia, Subclass 802 if the child is already in Australia. Include all required documents, pay the government visa fee, and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
7. Await processing and visa grant
Processing times vary. Subclass 802 applications (onshore) are generally faster than Subclass 101 (offshore). Once the visa is granted, the child has full permanent residency rights including access to Medicare, public education and full work rights.
Quick tips
Start the parental consent process early. Obtaining certified consent from a parent in another country can take longer than anticipated, particularly if the other parent is difficult to locate.
All foreign documents, birth certificates, adoption orders, court orders, must be officially translated into English by an accredited translator before submission.
If the other parent is deceased, ensure you have a certified copy of the death certificate. This substitutes for consent.
For adopted children, confirm that the adoption complies with Australian intercountry adoption requirements before applying. A non-compliant adoption will result in refusal.
Children aged 16 or over need police clearances. Factor in the time needed to obtain these, some countries take several months.
If the child is already in Australia on a valid visa (e.g., a student or visitor visa), the Subclass 802 can be lodged onshore, avoiding the need for the child to depart and re-enter.
The permanent visa grants full Medicare access and public education rights from the day of grant, these benefits apply immediately.
Documents needed
Valid passport for the child
Birth certificate proving the parent-child relationship
Sponsoring parent's proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
Consent documentation from both legal parents, or sole custody court order
Adoption order or intercountry adoption approval (if applicable)
Health examination results from an approved panel physician
Police clearances (for children aged 16 or over)
Evidence of sponsoring parent's financial capacity (income, bank statements, accommodation)
Translated and certified copies of all foreign-language documents
Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship if remarried parent is sponsoring a stepchild
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for a child visa?
The child must generally be under 18 years of age at the time of application. Children over 18 may qualify if they are financially dependent on the parent, unmarried and without a de facto partner. Specific age requirements may vary by subclass.
Do both parents need to consent?
Yes. Both parents of the child must consent to the visa application and the child's migration to Australia, unless there is a court order granting sole custody or other exceptional circumstances. This applies regardless of whether both parents are together.
Can stepchildren apply?
Stepchildren may be eligible depending on the family circumstances and the relationship between the child, the biological parent and the step-parent. Specific documentation is required to establish the relationship.
What if the child is adopted?
Adopted children may be eligible, but additional requirements apply including compliance with intercountry adoption regulations and provision of formal adoption documentation. The adoption must be recognised under Australian law.
Can the child work or study once in Australia?
Yes. Once the permanent visa is granted, the child has full rights to live, work and study in Australia. They also have access to Medicare and public education.
What happens if the application is refused?
If the application is refused, you may have the right to seek review of the decision through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Our team can advise on review options and assist with any appeal process.
Get expert help
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident wishing to bring your child to Australia, the first step is to confirm eligibility and gather the necessary documentation.
Our team can guide you through the sponsorship and application process to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.