Child Visa for Applicants
Stay
Permanently
Cost
From AUD3,055.00
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
With this visa the child can
- migrate to Australia as a permanent resident
- study and access Medicare
- apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
See all conditions
Check your eligibility
The child must:
- be a dependent child of a parent who is an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or holder of an Australian permanent visa
- be under 18 years, a full-time student aged over 18 and under 25 and financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 and unable to work due to a disability
- be single and dependent on the parent
- be outside Australia when the application is made.
The child may be eligible for COVID-19 visa concessions.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on who can help with your visa application.
With this visa the child can
- stay in Australia indefinitely
- work and study in Australia
- enrol Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
- sponsor relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
The child can travel to and from Australia as many times as they want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa. This is as long as the travel facility of this visa remains valid.
If the child wants to travel after the initial 5-year travel facility:
- they will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) visa so they can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- they might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If they become an Australian citizen, they don't require a visa to re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when the child's travel facility ends, use VEVO.
Adopted children
To be granted this visa, an adopted child must have been adopted before they turned 18 by a parent who was not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of adoption.
A child adopted before they turned 18 by a parent who was already an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of adoption might be eligible for an Adoption visa (subclass 102).
How long the child can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets the child stay in Australia indefinitely.
Include other children
If the child has siblings who also want to apply, submit separate applications for each sibling.
The child's dependent children can be included on their application when they apply or at any time before we decide the application.
Dependent children of the child who apply for the visa must meet our health requirement.
Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health requirement.
Cost
The visa costs AUD3,055.00 for the main applicant.
There is also a charge for each of the child's dependent children who apply for the visa.
There might be other costs for health exams, police certificates and biometrics.
To work out what the visa might cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.
Apply from
The child must be outside Australia when the application is submitted.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
The application might take longer to process if:
- it is not filled in correctly
- it does not include all the documents we need or we need more information
- it takes us time to verify the information
We can't process the application if the correct visa application charge is not paid. We will let the applicant know if this is the case and if necessary return the application.
The child's obligations
The child must enter Australia before the date specified in their grant letter. The first entry date is generally set at 12 months from the date of visa grant.
The child and their family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See what conditions might be attached to this visa on our visa conditions page.
Visa label
We will digitally link the child's visa to their passport. They will not get a label in their passport.
Be dependent on their parent who is an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder
The child must be dependent on a parent who is:
- Australian citizen
- Eligible New Zealand citizen
- Australian permanent visa holder
They can be their parent's:
- biological child
- adopted child
- stepchild (only from a former partner)
A child does not meet the dependency requirement if the stepparent is the current spouse or de facto partner of the child’s biological or adopted parent.
Adopted children
To be eligible for this visa, an adopted child must have been adopted before they turned 18 by a parent who was not an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of adoption.
A child adopted before they turned 18 by a parent who was already an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of adoption might be eligible for an Adoption visa (subclass 102).
Stepchildren
To be eligible for this visa, a stepchild must:
- be the child of their step-parent’s former partner
- be aged under 18.
The step-parent must also have either:
- an Australian parenting order in force that says the child is to live with them and be looked after by them, or
- guardianship or custody of the child under an Australian law or the law of another country
Citizenship by Descent
The child may choose to apply for Australian citizenship by descent instead of a visa to travel to Australia, if:
- the child was born outside Australia
- one of their parents was an Australian citizen at the time of their child’s birth.
Have a sponsor
The child must be sponsored by an eligible parent or their parent's spouse or de facto partner.
We must approve the sponsorship. We might not approve sponsorship if the parent or their partner has been charged or convicted of offences involving children. Learn more about measures for the protection of children.
Be this age
The child must be either:
- under 18 years old, or
- over 18 and under 25 years and studying full time, or
- over 18 years with a disability
If the child is over 18 and under 25 years and studying full time
If the child is over 18 and under 25 years old they:
- must be a full-time student when they apply and when the visa application is decided
- can't work full time
- must be financially dependent on their parent more than any other person
The child is a full-time student if they are:
- enrolled in a full-time course that leads to a professional, trade or vocational qualification
- attending classes
The child should have started study since turning 18 years of age or within 6 months (or a reasonable time) of finishing school. Any gaps of more than 6 months between their final year of school and the start of their further studies must be explained.
If the child is over 18 years with a disability
If the child is 18 years or older with a disability, they:
- must have totally or partially lost their bodily or mental functions
- can't work full time
Have no partner
The child can't be or ever have been:
- married or engaged to be married
- in a de facto relationship
Meet the health requirement
The child and any dependants who apply for the visa with them must meet our health requirement.
Dependent children who are not applying for the visa might also need to meet our health requirement.
Meet the character requirement
If the child is aged 16 years or over they must meet our character requirement.
We might also ask that other family members meet the requirement.
Have paid back debt to the Australian Government
If the child or any member of their family owes the Australian Government money it must be paid back or there must be a formal arrangement to pay it back.
Sign the Australian values statement
Children aged 18 or older must:
- have read, or had explained to them, the Life in Australia booklet
- sign the Australian Values Statement confirming they will obey Australian laws and respect the Australian way of life
Have consent to migrate to Australia
We will only grant this visa to a child younger than 18 years if either:
- the child has the written consent of everyone who can legally decide where they live, or
- the laws of the child’s home country allow them to leave their home country, or
- it is consistent with any Australian child order about the child
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step 1
Before you apply
Check the child's passport is valid. Tell us if someone is acting on the child's behalf.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
- a registered migration agent
- a legal practitioner, or
- an exempt person.
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Step 2
Gather your documents
Provide documents in support of the visa application.
Provide accurate documents
Provide accurate information. See what happens if the child's identity can't be established or false information is provided.
Identity documents
Provide the pages of the child's current passport showing their photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if they have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names the child has been known by
If the child was adopted, provide certified copies of the adoption papers or the adoption compliance certificate.
Photographs
Provide 4 recent passport-size photos (45mm x 35mm) of the child and for any dependent child included in the application.
Photographs must be:
- passport-size (45mm x 35mm)
- less than 6 months old
- good quality colour. We don't accept laser copies
- a full-face view of your head and shoulders
- taken against a plain light-coloured background
The child can wear untinted prescription glasses. If the child wears a head covering for religious reasons, they can show only their face.
Travel documents
Provide a certified copy of the passport or travel document the child will use to enter Australia and any passports the child has held since then.
Applicant circumstances documents
Depending on the child's situation, we might require other documents.
Applicants aged 18 to 25 years and studying
Provide evidence the child is enrolled as a full-time student and actively participating in a post-secondary course of study.
Provide a statement to explain any gaps longer than 6 months between their final year of secondary school and further studies.
Applicants aged 18 or older with disability
Provide evidence from a qualified medical practitioner the applicant has a total or partial loss of mental or body function that stops them from working.
Child's relationship to the parent
Provide evidence the child is related to the parent, such as:
- a birth certificate
- a marriage certificate
- an adoption certificate
- a family status certificate or family book, if officially issued and maintained
Financial documents
If the child is over 18 when the application is made, provide evidence they are dependent on their parent for basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, and how long this support has been provided. Evidence could include:
- bank statements
- money transfers
- rent receipts
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with the child, provide:
- identity documents
- travel documents
- proof of their relationship with the child such as a birth certificate
- character documents, if applicable
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who has a legal right to decide where the child lives.
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (276KB PDF)
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to stay Australia on this visa
Include an identity document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a:
- passport
- driver’s licence
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of the child's home country allow them to leave their home country
Character documents
Children over 16 years must provide police certificates from every country they have spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years, since turning 16.
For Australia, we only accept National Police Certificates applied for under Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship. The Australian Federal Police issue these certificates. We don't accept standard disclosure certificates or certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date.
If anyone in the application served in the armed forces of any country, they must provide military service records or discharge papers.
Children over 16 years must complete and provide Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment (596KB PDF).
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).
Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.
Prepare the documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Certify
Have all documents certified. This includes:
- non-English documents
- English translations
Photographs of the child and any of their dependent children included in the application must also be certified.
Keep
Keep a copy of the completed application.
Send
Send us:
- certified copies of all documents
- as much information as possible to help us decide the application
- each document only once, even if it is evidence of more than one thing
- all documents with the application
Step 3
Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa on paper.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove the child's identity or don't provide true information.
Apply on paper
Complete the following 2 forms and send them together by post (with correct prepaid postage) or by courier to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth.
You must pay the application charge before you post your application. See how to pay.
We will not process your application until you pay the application charge. Your application should also include evidence of payment of the application charge and all the relevant supporting documentation.
- Form 47CH Application for migration to Australia by a child (564KB PDF)
- Form 40CH Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia (544KB PDF)
If you submit your application at any other office or in any other way, it will not be a valid application and cannot be considered further. Applications for this visa cannot be submitted in person.
The forms must be completed in English.
By post (with correct prepaid postage):
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Locked Bag 7
NORTHBRIDGE WA 6865
By courier:
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Wellington Central
836 Wellington Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
If any of the above steps are incomplete, your application may be invalid. We do not process invalid applications. We will notify you if this is the case, and if requested, return your application.
Do not send original documents with your application, only send certified copies. Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records, including any supporting documents.
Step 4
After you apply
We will let the applicant know when we have received the application and documents. There might be other things to do or be aware of after applying.
Status updates
We can't provide updates on the progress of the application within global visa processing times. We will tell you if we need anything further.
Travel
Do not arrange for the child to migrate to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted the visa.
Health exams
We will tell you when to arrange the child’s health examinations.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics. We will tell you if you need to provide them.
Send more information
If you lodged the application on or after 1 April 2020:
- You can provide any necessary documents (that you did not provide with the application) to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth by using this online form.
If you lodged the application before April 2020:
- You can provide any necessary documents (that you did not provide with the application) to the processing office using this online form or using the method advised in the acknowledgement letter.
We might also ask you to provide more information.
Add family members
You can add a child's dependent child to their visa application any time before we make a decision.
Newborn children
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Tell us as soon as you can if you have made a mistake on the application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).
Send written notification or your forms to the office your submitted your application.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after the child has applied include:
- changes to your phone number, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
Step 5
Visa outcome
We can grant a visa to any child who is outside Australia and meets the visa grant requirements.
This may not apply if you are eligible for a COVID-19 visa concession.
We will tell you our decision in writing. Keep a copy of the decision.
If we grant the child’s visa, we will tell you:
- the visa grant number
- the date the visa starts
- the visa conditions, if applicable
- the date by which the child must enter Australia, if they are outside Australia when we grant the visa
If we refuse the child’s visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether there is a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse the application.
Coming to Australia
Before the child travels
Check travel documents
The child must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document.
Arrive before first entry arrival date
The child must enter Australia before the date specified in their grant letter.
If the child’s visa is still valid and the date specified in their visa grant letter has passed or will pass before they can travel to Australia, they must ensure that:
- they plan to travel to Australia within the next 12 months
- they submit the travel facilitation letter request form.
We may then send the child a travel facilitation letter. This will state that we allow them to enter Australia after the first entry arrival date on their visa.
We will not issue a travel facilitation letter unless there is less than 3 months remaining on the child’s first entry arrival date.
At the border
Complete an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving into Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card.
Use the SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. Children aged 16 or over might be able to leave the airport using the SmartGate.
In Australia
The child's obligations
The child and their family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
You can check visa details and conditions in VEVO.
See how long the child can stay
This is a permanent visa. The child can stay in Australia indefinitely.
For citizenship purposes, the child's permanent residence starts on the day they enter Australia.
Access Australian Government benefits
As a newly arrived resident the child might have to wait to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Learn more about newly arrived residents' waiting periods from Services Australia.
Tell us if things change
We need to know about:
- changes to the child's passport
- the birth of a child
- change of name
See how to let us know if there is a change in the child's situation.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
The child can travel to and from Australia as many times as they want for 5 years from the date we grant this visa. This is as long as the travel facility of this visa remains valid.
If the child wants to travel after the initial 5-year travel facility:
- they will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) visa so they can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
- they might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If they become an Australian citizen, they don't require a visa to re-enter Australia. See more about eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship
To see when the child's travel facility ends, use VEVO.
Work and study
The child might be able to work or study in Australia from the date we grant this visa. If the child works, they are protected by Australian workplace law. See their workplace rights and entitlements.
Bring a family member
Dependants can't be added to this visa after we have made a decision.
To find a visa for a family member, explore visa options.
Become an Australian citizen
After a certain time, the child might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming a citizen.
For citizenship purposes, the child's permanent residence starts the day they entered Australia on this visa.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check the child's travel documents
The child must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
Check if the child needs a Resident Return visa to return to Australia as a permanent resident in VEVO.
At the border
Leave the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. The child might be able to leave the airport faster using the SmartGate.
After you leave
Prove the child has been to Australia
Request the child's international movement records to get proof of their travel in and out of Australia.