The child visa Australia allows the children to live with their parents in the country. The children become the permanent residents in Australia. The applicant of this visa should be a child of an Australian citizen or a permanent resident in the country.

For the children residing overseas, the parents or an eligible relative will sponsor the children for this visa. In case the child is adopted then also the adoptive parents can sponsor their child. The applicant or Child is eligible for this visa only if the child is 18 years of age and is supported by a parent. The child should be a student (full time).
The main type of primary visa for children is Subclass 101. But, for the children already living in Australia, there is Child visa 802.

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Benefits of Child Visa Australia

  • The child will have access to free education in Australia.
  • With an eligible Child Visa will have access to Medicare.
  • Children will be able to avail tax benefits and other social welfare benefits.
  • The child will stay in Australia as a permanent resident with the help of a child visa sub class 101.
  • The child will be able to work in any reason of the country. He or she will be able to enjoy the high quality of living and all the opportunities that come along with being a permanent resident in the country.
  • They can experience a diverse culture and a high standard of living.
     

Child Visa Requirements

It is important to establish the relationship of the child with the sponsor. It is important to know the child is a biological one or not.

The age of the child has to be less than 18 years.

In case of an adopted child, other necessary proofs that establish legal adoption will have to be produced.

Along with the child’s identity, the relationship between the parent and the child also needs to be established with the supporting evidence.

The passport or the citizenship proof of the parent is also necessary.

Sponsorship of the child is done by the parent or a legal guardian. Grandparents can also answer the child only in case if the child is an orphan.

Adopted children are also entitled to a child visa provided they are adoption is legally recognized in Australia.

In special cases, if the child suffers from a disability and is totally dependent upon the parent financially, then the age of the child can be above 18 years.

A copy of the child’s passport

Birth certificate

A family book or register

Police clearance certificate

Health examination certificate etc.

Child Visa Subclasses

There are different types of child visas in Australia. You can opt for the visa category that suits your requirement depending upon your child’s circumstances. The types of child visas are;

Subclass 101 child visa

  • This child visa is for those children who are not staying within the country. With this visa, the children residing overseas can join their Guardians or parents in Australia. It is necessary that the parent/ guardian are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of the country.
  • The child has to be below 18 years. If the child is above 18 years then this visa can be availed considering that the child is dependent upon the parents (sponsors) because of a disability.
  • Once this visa is granted the child gets a permanent residency in the country.
  • When will be able to work study and live in the country as well as have access to all the facilities that come along with being a permanent resident.

Child Visa Subclass 802

  • This visa is for those children were already staying in Australia.
  • The child has to be less than 18 years of age.
  • In case the age is more than 18 years then it is considered provided the child is financially dependent upon the sponsor due to a disability.
  • This visa and be on a temporary or a permanent basis depending upon the individual case.
  • The child can live, work and study in the country within 802 Child’s visa.

Subclass 102 Adoption visa

  • This visa is for the legally adopted children. The adoptive parents should be Australian citizens or a permanent resident in the country.
  • Once the child gets this visa, He/she will become a permanent resident in the country.
  •  In order to get this visa the child has to be less than 18 years of age and the adoption should be recognized legally under the Australian rules.
  • The children holding this visa can you lips study and work in the country and have access to all the facilities in education and healthcare.

Dependent Child visa Subclass 445

  • The parents, who are temporary visa holders, can apply for this child visa subclass. The children are already residing in Australia. This visa is connects to the parents temporary visa status.
  • The child has to be below 18 years and should be dependent upon his or her parents.
  • With this visa the children can stay in the country they secure a more permanent visa.

Orphan relative visa Subclass 117

  • This visa is for the orphaned children who lose their parents. If they are sponsored by a relative or legal guardian, they are entitled to this visa.
  • Child should be an orphan under 18 years. There should be no parents to take care of them.
  • Once the visa is granted children receive a PR status in Australia. They can enjoy access to healthcare education and social welfare facilities in the country.

If you feel that the various visa types are slightly confusing it is always advisable to consult the one of the best child visa agents Australia.

Child Visa Australia Processing Time

The child visa processing time varies depending upon the visa subclass that you have opted for.

  • For subclass 101 processing time is from 6 months to 1 year approximately. This time may change due to specific circumstances of the individual.
  • Subclass 802 processing time is the same as that of subclass 101 that is from 6 to 12 months.
  • For an adoption visa subclass 102, time taken to process is from one to one and a half years. Complexity of the adoption application can change this duration.
  • For a dependent child visa, the processing time is quickest as this visa is linked to that of the parent having temporary status. This is up to 1-2 months.
  • Orphan visa subclass 117 has a processing time of 6 months to 1 year. But, it may take longer if there are complications in the case.

There are a series of factors that processing time of child visa categories. These are:

  • Complexity of your case.
  • Accuracy of the visa application.
  • Health and character requirement fulfillment.
  • The location from where you are filing the application i.e. if you are in Australia and overseas.

However, in some cases form affairs may consider to expedite the process in case of urgency.

Visa Application Costs

Applications of the Subclass 491 visa on behalf of the main applicant will have an approximate cost of visa processing of AUD 4,910. Moreover, the other visa applications by the visa applicants aged 18 years and above will incur an estimated cost of AUD 2320, and the dependent children under the age of 18 years will incur an estimated cost of AUD 1,160.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Child Visa Australia

Child visas are of various types. The application process is as follows for all these types:

  • First and foremost, you have to check if you are eligible for this visa. You should know which type of visa subclass suits your situation.

The eligibility criteria involve the following:

  • Age less than 18 years
  • Proof of birth and relationship with the parent etc.
  • The sponsor should be an eligible Australian citizen or his resident of the country.
  • As soon as your eligibility is clear, you will then be gathering all the documentation. Preparing documents will include the following:
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Adoption papers
  • Citizenship papers
  • Health and character documents such as police clearance certificate and health examination certificate.

Sometimes, you may also need additional documentation financial dependency of the child on the parent .

  • After gathering all the documents, you will then make an ImmiAccount. This will help you in the visa filing process. You will complete the application form with as much accuracy as possible and provide necessary evidence to support your documentation.
  • Then, you will be paying the visa application fees. This may also vary depending on the type of Child visa. Application fee is usually around AUD 2,665.
  • After all the formalities are complete you will submit the application online. You have to wait for the processing of your application. Make sure that you provide the additional information, in case asked by the department of home affairs. Delay in providing this information can lead to a delay in your processing time.
     
  • Gather Documents

    The foundation of a successful application lies in robust documentation. Accuracy in this phase prevents lengthy delays or refusals.

    Identity Proofs: Valid passport and certified birth certificates.

    Proof of Relationship: Documentation proving your link with the sponsor.

  • Online Application

    Complete the digital lodging via the official Department of Home Affairs (DHA) portal.

  • Wait for Processing

    During this time, the DHA may request additional information, health checks, or police clearances. It is imperative to respond to these requests promptly to avoid further delays or potential application closure.

  • Final Notification

    The Department will notify you in writing of the outcome of your visa application. This formal letter will contain crucial details regarding your future status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Processing times vary by visa subclass. For example, Subclass 101 and 802 can take 6-12 months, while a Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445) can be as quick as 1-2 months. The complexity of the case and the accuracy of the application can affect this.
 

The child must be under 18 years of age. In special cases, if the child has a disability and is financially dependent on the parent, they may be older than 18.
 

 The child must be a child of an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Generally, the child must be under 18 years of age.

Yes, the child (and sometimes the sponsor) will need to undergo a health examination and provide a police clearance certificate to meet health and character requirements. These should be arranged early in the process.

It is crucial to provide accurate information. If you notice an error after submission, you should update your application through your ImmiAccount as soon as possible to avoid delays or a potential refusal.

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