Child Visa (Subclass 802 & 101)
– Permanent Residency
Permanent family reunion in Australia.
Parents who meet the eligibility requirements can sponsor their child for permanent residency in Australia through the Child Visa (Subclass 802 or 101). Parents can lodge the application on behalf of children under 18 years old.
Children living in Australia apply for Subclass 802, while those living overseas apply for Subclass 101. Both visas allow children to live permanently in Australia with their sponsoring parents.
The Child Visa program allows eligible children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to gain permanent residency and join their parent(s) in Australia.Depending on the child’s location at the time of application, two visa subclasses apply:
- Subclass 101 (Offshore Child Visa) — for children living outside Australia.
- Subclass 802 (Onshore Child Visa) — for children already in Australia on a valid visa (not in immigration clearance).
Both visas grant permanent residency to the child upon approval.
Who Can Sponsor & Who Can Be the Child Applicant?
Eligible sponsors
- Must be Australian citizen or permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
- Can be the biological parent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or in certain cases a step-parent or partner with legal parental responsibility (depending on family/legal circumstances).
Who can apply as the child
To qualify as a “child” under 101 or 802, the applicant must meet all of the following (unless exempt due to permanent disability):
Be unmarried, not engaged or in a de facto relationship
Be either:
- Under 18 years old; or
- Between 18–25 years old, and a full-time student, financially dependent on the sponsor; or
- Over 18 years with a permanent disability preventing full-time work, and financially dependent on sponsor.
Be a biological child, adopted child, or legally recognised step-child / ward / child under guardianship (as per Migration law)
Location Requirements
- Subclass 101 — Applicant child must be outside Australia at time of application and when the visa is granted.
- Subclass 802 — Applicant child must be physically present in Australia (on a valid visa) when application is lodged and when the visa is decided.
What the Visas Grant on Approval
Once 101 or 802 is granted, the child obtains:
- Permanent residency — right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely
- Access to public health, Medicare (subject to eligibility), education, and other benefits available to permanent residents
- Travel rights (including multiple entries) and, when eligible, the ability to apply for Australian citizenship
Key Conditions & Obligations
- The child must remain single (not married / de facto / engaged) unless permanent disability exception applies
- For 18–25 yr applicants: continuous full-time study and financial dependency on sponsor — gaps or self-supporting work can affect eligibility
- For adopted / step-children / wards: must provide appropriate legal documentation of adoption or guardianship as required under Australian migration law
- Health and character checks are mandatory for child and any dependents included
- Sponsor may need to provide evidence of parental responsibility / guardianship / legal custody (especially if parents are separated or biological parent is overseas or unavailable)
FAQs About Child Visa (Subclass 802 and 101) in Australia
What is the Child Visa (Subclass 802 and 101) in Australia?
The Child Visa (Subclass 802 and 101) allows eligible children to live permanently in Australia with their parents who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Who is eligible to apply for the Child Visa (Subclass 802 and 101) in Australia?
Dependent children, including stepchildren or adopted children, can apply for Subclass 802 or 101 visas if they meet the age, dependency, and sponsorship requirements set by Australian immigration authorities.
What is the difference between Subclass 802 and Subclass 101 Child Visas in Australia?
The Subclass 802 visa is for children who are already in Australia, while the Subclass 101 visa is for children living outside Australia. Both visas provide permanent residency.
Can a child apply for a Subclass 802 or Subclass 101 Visa while in Australia?
Children in Australia should apply for the Subclass 802 visa, whereas those living overseas need to apply for the Subclass 101 visa.
