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Child Visa (Subclass 101 and 802)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Child visa lets a dependent child of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent visa holder or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently. Subclass 101 is for children outside Australia and subclass 802 is for children in Australia. The child must be single and under 18, or aged 18 to 24 and a full-time student financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 and unable to work due to a disability. The parent (or their partner) sponsors the child and must support them for their first 2 years. From 1 July 2026 the charge is AUD 4,040.
Child Visa (101 and 802) at a Glance
| Visa type | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Subclasses | 101 if the child is outside Australia; 802 if the child is in Australia |
| Who it is for | Biological, adopted or eligible stepchild of an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or eligible NZ citizen |
| Age | Under 18; or 18 to 24 and a full-time student; or over 18 with a disability |
| Relationship status | Must be single: not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship |
| Sponsor | The eligible parent or the parent's partner. Must help with accommodation and financial support for the first 2 years |
| Government charge | AUD 4,040 main applicant, AUD 2,020 per adult and AUD 1,015 per child (from 1 July 2026) |
| How to apply | Paper application (Form 47CH and Form 40CH) by post or courier to the Perth processing centre |
101 or 802: Which One?
| Child visa 101 | Child visa 802 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the child must be | Outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted | In Australia (not in immigration clearance) when applying and when the visa is granted |
| Bridging visa | Not applicable | A bridging visa is usually granted with the application |
| Permanent residence starts | On the day the child enters Australia | On the day the visa is granted |
| Restriction | Must enter Australia by the first entry date, generally 12 months from grant | Cannot apply if the child holds a visa with a no further stay condition |
Who Counts as a Dependent Child
- Under 18, or
- 18 to 24, studying full time in a course leading to a professional, trade or vocational qualification, not working full time and financially dependent on the parent more than anyone else. Gaps of more than 6 months after finishing school must be explained, or
- Over 18 and unable to work because of a disability.
The child can be a biological child, an adopted child or a stepchild from the parent's former partner. A stepchild must be under 18 and the step-parent must have an Australian parenting order or guardianship or custody under Australian or overseas law. A child is not eligible as a stepchild of the parent's current partner. If one parent was an Australian citizen when the child was born overseas, citizenship by descent may be a better option.
Adopted Children and Orphan Relatives
For the 101, the child must have been adopted before turning 18 by a parent who was not yet an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time. If the parent already had that status, the Adoption visa (subclass 102) may apply instead. A child under 18 whose parents have died, cannot care for them or cannot be found may be able to join a settled Australian relative on the Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117 outside Australia, or 837 in Australia).
Sponsor Requirements
The sponsor is the eligible parent or their spouse or de facto partner. They agree to help with accommodation and financial support for the child's first 2 years in Australia. Home Affairs must approve the sponsorship. Sponsorship will be refused if the sponsor or their partner has a pending charge for a registrable offence, and is approved only in very limited cases if there is a conviction.
Consent and Documents
For a child under 18, everyone with a legal right to decide where the child lives must consent (Form 1229 or a statutory declaration), unless an Australian court order or the home country's laws allow the move. Children 16 and over need police certificates and Form 80. Each sibling needs a separate application.
How to Apply
Both visas are lodged on paper. Send Form 47CH (application) and Form 40CH (sponsorship) with all documents and proof of payment by post or courier to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth. Applications cannot be lodged in person. After you receive the acknowledgement, usually within about 1 month, you can import the application into ImmiAccount to upload documents and track it.
How to Apply
- Confirm the child is eligibleCheck age, dependency, relationship status and whether 101 or 802 fits the child's location.
- Get consent and documentsCollect birth or adoption certificates, custody orders, Form 1229 consent, study evidence for 18 to 24 year olds and police certificates if 16 or over.
- Pay the chargePay the visa application charge before posting the application.
- Post Form 47CH and Form 40CHSend the application and sponsorship together to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth.
- Import into ImmiAccountAfter the acknowledgement letter, import the application to upload documents and respond to requests.
- Health checks and decisionComplete health examinations when asked. A 101 child then enters Australia by the first entry date.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We confirm whether the 101, 802, adoption or orphan relative visa is the right fit, check dependency and custody evidence, prepare the consent documents and sponsorship, and lodge a complete paper application so it is not returned as invalid.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Child Visa (101 and 802) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Child visa (101) · Home Affairs: Child visa (802) · Home Affairs: Adoption visa (102) · Home Affairs: Orphan Relative visa (117) · Home Affairs: Orphan Relative visa (837)
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the difference between the 101 and 802 visa?
Both are permanent Child visas with the same main requirements. The 101 is for a child outside Australia and the 802 is for a child in Australia, who must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.
Can I sponsor a child over 18?
Yes, if they are 18 to 24, studying full time and financially dependent on you, or over 18 and unable to work because of a disability. They must also be single and never have been married or in a de facto relationship.
Can I sponsor my stepchild?
Only if the stepchild is under 18, is the child of your former partner, and you have an Australian parenting order or legal guardianship or custody. The child of your current partner does not qualify as your stepchild for this visa.
How much does a Child visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 the charge is AUD 4,040 for the main applicant, AUD 2,020 for each additional adult and AUD 1,015 for each additional child. Health checks, police certificates and translations cost extra.
Can I apply for a Child visa online?
No. Home Affairs requires a paper application using Form 47CH and Form 40CH, posted or couriered to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth. You can import it into ImmiAccount after it is acknowledged.
What does the sponsor have to do?
The sponsor agrees to help the child with accommodation and financial support for their first 2 years in Australia. The sponsor cannot withdraw after the visa is granted.
Can the child travel after getting the visa?
Yes. The visa allows travel to and from Australia for 5 years from grant. After that, the child needs a Resident Return visa or Australian citizenship to return as a permanent resident.
What if my child was adopted?
The adoption must have been finalised before the child turned 18. If you were already an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen when you adopted the child overseas, the Adoption visa (subclass 102) may be the right visa, or special rules apply for the 802.
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