Child visas

Child visa

The Child visa allows the child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident to live in Australia with their parent. This visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency, helping to reunite families and provide children with the opportunity to grow and thrive in Australia.

There are two main types of Child visas:

Subclass 101 – Child visa (Offshore): For children applying from outside Australia.
Subclass 802 – Child visa (Onshore): For children already in Australia at the time of application.

Both visas grant the child permanent residency once approved.

Who Can Apply for a Child Visa?

To be eligible for a Child visa, the applicant must:

Be the biological, adopted, or stepchild of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Be under 25 years of age at the time of application
Be single – not married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship
Be financially dependent on the sponsoring parent if over 18 years of age

If the child is over 18, they must be a full-time student or have a disability that prevents them from working.

For the Parent (Sponsor):

The sponsoring parent must:

Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Be biologically related to the applicant (although adoptive parents or stepparents may be eligible in certain circumstances)
Be at least 18 years of age (or have a spouse or de facto partner who meets this requirement and is eligible to sponsor)
Not have been convicted of, or currently facing prosecution for, any offences against a child (this also applies to the sponsor’s partner, if applicable)

What This Visa Allows

Once granted, the Child visa provides:

Permanent residency in Australia
Permission to live, and study in Australia
Access to Medicare
A pathway to Australian citizenship, if eligible
Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant

Child visa costs

Applying for a Child visa involves several costs, which may vary depending on your individual circumstances and whether the application is lodged from inside or outside Australia.

As of the current fees set by the Department of Home Affairs:

The main visa application charge is AUD 3,140.00 for most applicants.
For additional child applicants, the fee is AUD 1,570.00 for those aged 18 and over, and AUD 790.00 for those under 18.

Further costs may include health examinations, which are required to meet Australian health criteria, and police clearance certificates if applicable. If any of your documents are not in English, you may also need to obtain official translations and certifications.

In addition, professional service fees may apply, depending on the complexity of your case and the level of assistance you require throughout the process.

At Niche Migration, we offer tailored service packages to suit your family’s situation and provide a transparent breakdown of all anticipated costs during your initial consultation.

2. Dependent Child visa

The Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) is a temporary visa that allows the child of a parent who holds a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309 or 820) to join them in Australia while the parent awaits a decision on their permanent Partner visa (subclass 100 or 801). This visa ensures that children are not separated from their parent during the transition from temporary to permanent residency.

Once granted, the child can remain in Australia temporarily and will also become eligible to be included in the parent’s permanent Partner visa application.

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