Overview
Child visas let a dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently. Subclass 101 is for children outside Australia; subclass 802 is for children in Australia; subclass 445 is a temporary Dependent Child visa for children of a provisional partner-visa (309 or 820) holder. The child must be under 18, or aged 18 to 25 and a full-time student financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 and unable to work because of a disability — and in every case single. The 2026-27 Migration Program allocates 3,500 Child places.
Child visa applications hinge on proving dependency and custody — straightforward for young children, more involved for those over 18 or where the other parent is not migrating. The 2026-27 Migration Program estimates 3,500 Child places, and Child visas sit high in the Family-stream processing order.
Who counts as a dependent child?
The child must be single and either under 18; or aged 18 to 25, in full-time study since turning 18 and financially dependent on the sponsoring parent; or over 18 and unable to work because of a disability. Biological, adopted and step-children qualify, but a child adopted after the parent became an Australian citizen or permanent resident uses the separate Adoption visa (102).
Which subclass do you use?
101 if the child is outside Australia (and they must still be offshore when it is granted); 802 if the child is in Australia (they usually receive a bridging visa to stay while it is processed); 445 if the parent holds a provisional Partner visa (309 or 820) and the child was not included in that application. The table above compares all four child-related visas. The application charge is the same for the 101 and 802 and is shown above.
Who must consent?
For any child under 18, everyone with legal responsibility for the child who is not migrating must give written consent, or you need an Australian court order. Missing or disputed consent is the single most common reason Child visa applications stall — resolve it before lodging.
How does the 445 fit with a Partner visa?
If you hold a temporary 309 or 820 Partner visa and have a child who was not on your application — born later, or who became dependent later — the child applies for the Dependent Child (445). Once it is granted you ask the Department to add the child to your permanent 100 or 801 application, and the child is assessed with you for permanent residence. The 445 itself is temporary and ends when your permanent partner visa is decided.
Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 101 visa?
- Be the biological, adopted or step-child of the sponsoring parent (adoptions arranged after the parent became Australian use the Adoption visa 102 instead)
- Be single and under 18; or aged 18 to 25, a full-time student since turning 18 and financially dependent on the parent; or over 18 and unable to work because of a disability
- Be sponsored by the eligible parent (or the parent's partner), who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
- For children under 18, have the written consent of anyone else with legal responsibility for them, or an Australian court order
- Meet health and character requirements (character checks apply from age 16)
How much does the Subclass 101 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$4,040. An additional A$2,020 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Same charge for the onshore Child visa (802). Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 11 October 2026. See every Subclass 101 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 101 visa take to process?
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 30 months, and 90% within 33 months.
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 101 visa?
- Confirm dependency and custody. Establish the parent-child relationship, that the child is single, and — for children over 18 — full-time study and financial dependency since turning 18. Secure consent from the other parent or anyone with custody.
- Choose the correct subclass. 101 if the child is outside Australia, 802 if the child is in Australia, or 445 if the parent holds a provisional 309 or 820 Partner visa and the child was not included in that application.
- Lodge with evidence. Provide identity, relationship (birth certificate or adoption papers), custody-consent and dependency evidence. An 802 applicant can usually stay on a bridging visa; a 101 applicant must be outside Australia at grant.
How it compares
| Subclass | Child is | Parent holds | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 Child | Outside Australia | Citizenship, PR or eligible NZ status | Permanent residence; must be offshore at grant |
| 802 Child | In Australia | Citizenship, PR or eligible NZ status | Permanent residence; bridging visa while waiting |
| 445 Dependent Child | In or outside Australia | A provisional Partner visa (309 or 820) | Temporary; then added to the parent's permanent 100/801 application |
| 102 Adoption | Outside Australia, adopted or being adopted | Citizenship, PR or eligible NZ status | Permanent residence |
Frequently asked questions
Can a child over 18 still get a Child visa?
Yes, up to age 25 if they are single, have been a full-time student since turning 18 (apart from short gaps) and remain financially dependent on the sponsoring parent — or at any age if they are single and unable to work because of a total or partial disability. School, vocational and university study all count; full-time work breaks the dependency.
What is the difference between subclass 101 and 802?
Subclass 101 is for a child outside Australia, who must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted; subclass 802 is for a child already in Australia, who usually receives a bridging visa while the application is processed. Both lead to the same permanent residence and the application charge is the same for either (shown above).
What is the 445 visa?
The Dependent Child visa is a temporary visa for a child whose parent holds a provisional Partner visa (309 or 820) and who was not included in that application — for example a child born or who became dependent after it was lodged. Once granted, the child must be added to the parent's permanent 100 or 801 application; the 445 ends when that application is decided.
Do I need the other parent's consent?
For a child under 18, yes. Everyone with legal responsibility for the child who is not migrating must give written consent, or you need an Australian court order permitting the child to migrate. This is the most common cause of delay in Child visa applications.
How many Child visas are granted each year?
Child visas are demand-driven rather than capped. The 2026-27 Migration Program estimates 3,500 Child places, and Ministerial Direction 117 gives Child visas high processing priority within the Family stream. Processing still depends on a decision-ready application — identity, relationship, consent and dependency evidence all in order.
Related visas
- Partner visa (Subclasses 820/801 & 309/100)
- Parent visa (Contributory & non-contributory)
- Australian citizenship
- Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300)
- New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (Subclass 461)
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870)
Related guides
- The medical examination for your Australian visa
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review