Child Visa Subclasses
| Subclass | Who it's for | Location at application |
|---|---|---|
| 101 Child | Dependent children of Australian citizens or PRs | Outside Australia |
| 102 Adoption | Children adopted under Hague Convention or bilateral arrangement | Outside Australia |
| 445 Dependent Child | Children of temporary visa holders | Outside Australia |
| 802 Child | Dependent children already in Australia | In Australia |
Who Counts as a Dependent Child?
For visa purposes, a child is considered dependent if they are:
- Under 18 years of age, or
- Aged 18–23 and enrolled in full-time study and financially dependent on the parent, or
- Aged 18 or over and unable to work due to total or partial incapacity
Step-children are included. A child who has been legally adopted counts. Children who are married or in a de facto relationship are generally no longer considered dependants.
Sponsorship Requirements
The Australian sponsor must be a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. They must satisfy a good character requirement. Where the child has two parents and one parent is not the sponsor, the non-sponsoring parent must give consent to the application — or the sponsor must provide evidence that consent cannot reasonably be obtained (for example, in cases of family breakdown or deceased parent).
Subclass 102 — Adoption
Australia recognises intercountry adoptions that occur under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, or through a bilateral adoption arrangement between Australia and specific countries. Adoptions that fall outside these frameworks — including private or independent adoptions in some countries — are not recognised for migration purposes.
The adoption process involves both Australian state or territory authorities and the Department of Home Affairs. We advise on the migration component — the visa application — once the adoption arrangements are in place through the appropriate channels.
Subclass 445 — Dependent Child of a Temporary Visa Holder
This visa is for children whose parent holds a temporary visa in Australia (such as a 482 TSS visa). The child's visa conditions are linked to the parent's visa — when the parent's visa expires or is cancelled, the 445 is also affected.
Health and Character
All child visa applicants are subject to health assessments. For older children who have spent time in certain countries, tuberculosis clearance may be required. Character requirements generally apply to children 16 and over.