Child visas

The Subclass 101 Child Visa (Offshore) allows a child living outside Australia to migrate permanently and join their Australian parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa grants the child full permanent residency with the right to live, study, and work in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible. The child must be under 18 (or a full-time student under 25, or unable to work due to disability) and be sponsored by their parent — making it the primary pathway for families reuniting across borders.

The Subclass 445 Dependent Child Visa (Offshore) is a temporary visa that allows a child to travel to and remain in Australia while their parent's permanent partner visa (Subclass 100 or 801) is being processed. It is designed for children who were not included in their parent's original partner visa application and need to join them in Australia before that application is finalised. Once granted, the child can live, study, and access Medicare in Australia, and can be added to the parent's permanent partner visa application — making it the essential bridging pathway for families navigating the two-stage partner migration process.

The Subclass 837 Orphan Relative Visa (Onshore) allows a child already living in Australia to be granted permanent residency when they are an orphan or their parents are unable to care for them, and they have an eligible Australian relative willing to sponsor them. This visa grants the child full permanent residency with the right to live, study, and work in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible. The child must be under 18 (or a full-time student under 25) and be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen relative — making it a vital humanitarian pathway for vulnerable children already on Australian soil.

The Subclass 102 Adoption Visa (Offshore) allows a child adopted outside Australia to migrate permanently and join their Australian adoptive parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa grants the child full permanent residency with the right to live, study, and work in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible. The adoption must be formally arranged through an Australian state or territory adoption authority or meet Hague Convention requirements — making it the dedicated migration pathway for intercountry adoptions.

The Subclass 802 Child Visa (Onshore) allows a child already living in Australia to be granted permanent residency and remain with their Australian parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa grants the child full permanent residency with the right to live, study, and work in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible. The child must be under 18 (or a full-time student under 25, or unable to work due to disability), be sponsored by their parent, and be onshore at the time of application and grant — making it the ideal pathway for families already together in Australia seeking permanent security.

The Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa (Offshore) allows a child living outside Australia to be granted permanent residency when they are an orphan or their parents are unable to care for them, and they have an eligible Australian relative willing to sponsor them. This visa grants the child full permanent residency with the right to live, study, and work in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible. The child must be under 18 (or a full-time student under 25) and be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen relative — making it a vital humanitarian pathway for vulnerable children seeking to reunite with family in Australia.