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Australian Child Visa

A child may eligible for an Australia permanent resident visa if they are the natural, adopted or step child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

There are several categories under which an Australian visa application may be lodged for child immigration.

Child Category

The child must be under 25 years of age. If the applicant is over 18 years of age, the child must be a full-time student who is dependent on their sponsoring parent.

Exceptions to the age limit and age requirements may be made if the child suffers from a disability preventing them from working effectively.

The child must be the natural, adopted or step child of their sponsor. If adopted, the child must have been adopted before their sponsor was an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

The child must also not be engaged, married or in a defacto relationship nor must the child have ever had a spouse.

Orphan Relative Category

The child applicant must be under 18 years of age with no parental care afforded to them either through death, permanent disability or illness, or the unknown whereabouts of their natural parents.

An Australian citizen or permanent resident who is either a sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle, nice or nephew living in Australia may then sponsor the child for Australian immigration.

Adoption Category

The child applicant must under 18 years of age and be adopted or be in the adoption process by a sponsoring Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Valid adoption procedures include those which adhere to the Hague Convention, Australia/China Adoption Agreement or children who were adopted privately and lawfully by Australian residents after living overseas for more than 12 months at the time of the Australian visa application.

Assurance of Support

If a child applicant is assessed as being at risk of being dependent on the Australian social welfare system, an Assurance of Support may be requested during the processing of the Australian visa application.

The assurer does not have to be the same person as the sponsor but must:

• be over 18 years of age,
• be an Australian resident or permanent resident,
• have a legal commitment to financially supporting the child and repaying any applicable social security payments if applicable.