Bringing your child to live with you in Australia is one of the most important steps in your family reunion. Whether you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand’s characters, Australia offer children to help children permanently join their parents. One of the most common and important options is a child visa, which gives children the right to live, study and grow up in Australia.
In this broad guide, we will cover everything necessary to learn about the baby visa in Australia, including the visa type, eligibility, requirements, application process, processing time and useful tips for a successful application.
What is a Child Visa Australia?
Child visa allows children to go to Australia permanently to live with their parents or parents. This visa enables the child to:
Live in Australia permanently
Study and access public schooling
Receive Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
Apply for Australian citizenship (when eligible)
Travel in and out of Australia freely for the duration of the visa
The visa is available for biological, adopted, or dependent step-children of eligible sponsors.
Types of Child Visas
There are two main types of permanent Child Visas:
- Subcise 101 – Child Visa (Opportunity)
This visa is for children outside Australia at the time of application and when visas are given. This allows the child to go to Australia and remain permanently with his sponsor parents.
- Substance 802 – Child Visa (Onshore)
This visa is for children who are already in Australia at the time of application. This allows the child to live in Australia while their permanent residence is being processed.
There are also other visa subclasses related to specific circumstances:
Subclass 102 – Adoption Visa: For children adopted outside Australia by Australian parents.
Subclass 445 – Dependent Child Visa: A temporary visa for children whose parents are in the process of applying for a fellow visa.
Orphan relative visas (subclass 117 and 837): For children whose parents are dead, permanently disabled, or whose hideouts are unknown.
In this guide, we will mainly focus on child visa subclass 101 and 802.
Who can sponsor a child?
To sponsor a child for a visa, there should be sponsor:
A child’s biological or adopted parents
An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand Citizen
18 years or older
In some cases, a stepmother may be eligible to sponsor the child if they are still in relation to the real parent with the child and have legal responsibility.
Who is eligible for a child’s visa?
To be eligible for a subclass 101 or 802 visa, the child must be:
Be dependent on the sponsoring parent
Be under 18 years of age, OR
18 to 25 years of age and full -time study (without full -time work), or
Unable to work over 18 years of age and unable to work due to disability
Be unmarried, not engaged or in a de facto relationship
Be sponsored by an eligible parent
Meet health and character requirements
Children aged 16 years and over must also meet Australian character requirements (e.g., police clearances).
Additional Requirements for Children Aged 18–25
Children aged between 18 and 25 must show they are:
Financially dependent on their sponsoring parent
Studying full-time in a course leading to a professional, academic, or trade qualification
Not working full-time
If they have taken a break from the study (such as due to illness), they can still be eligible if they resume the study as soon as possible.
Legal Custody Requirements
If the child is under the age of 18, the sponsor must prove that he has the legal right to bring the child to Australia. It usually includes one of the following:
Written consent from the non-migrating parent or guardian
A valid family court order permitting the child to migrate
Sole legal custody of the child
This requirement helps to ensure that Australia complies with international child protection laws.
How to apply for baby visa
Step 1: Check the eligibility
Before applying, make sure that both sponsors and children meet all visa requirements.
Step 2: Gather Assistant Documents
Some documents may need to be included:
Passport and birth certificate of the child
Evidence of relationship with the sponsor (e.g., birth or adoption certificate)
Consent or court order if only one parent is sponsoring
Proof of full-time study and financial dependence (if the child is over 18)
Health and character documents (e.g. medical exams, police checks)
Step 3: submit the application
You can make online visa application online by Home Affairs website or paper under some circumstances.
For Subclass 101, the child must be outside Australia.
For Subclass 802, the child must be inside Australia.
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
Once recorded, the department will assess your application. During this time, you may be asked to provide further documents or participate in the interview.
Visa Fees
As of 2025, the fees for a Child Visa are:
Main applicant: AUD 3,055
Additional children (included in the application): AUD 760 each
Fees may be updated annually, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for current rates.
Processing Times
Processing time may vary depending on the complexity of your case and the completion of the application.
Average times are:
Subclass 101 (Offshore): 12–24 months
Subclass 802 (Onshore): 12–18 months
Applications involving custody disputes or missing documentation may take longer.
After the Visa is Granted
Once the visa is approved, the child becomes a permanent resident of Australia. They will have access to:
Education: Enrol in Australian schools or universities
Healthcare: Access public health services via Medicare
Citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the requirement of Residency (usually 4 years valid migration, which includes 1 year) as a permanent resident)
Tips for a successful application
Provide complete and genuine documentation to avoid delays
Use certified translations for all non-English documents
Get legal custody evidence early if needed
Consult a registered migration agent for complex cases
Apply well in advance of planned travel or reunification
Conclusion
Child visa (Subclass 101 and 802) is an important part of Australia’s commitment to family unity. Whether your child is living abroad or already in Australia, this visa allows them to connect with you and create their lives in a safe, stable and opportunity-rich environment.