Child migration is migration to Australia as the dependent child, orphan relative or adopted child of an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Australian child visa category

The Child category is for the natural child, adopted child or step child of a an Australian citizen, holder of a permanent visa or eligible New Zealand citizen. The child must be under 25, but if aged 18 or older, they must be in full time education and dependent on their sponsoring parent. The only exception to the student and age limit rule is where the child has a disability that prevents them working.

Where a child is overseas and was adopted after the parent became a permanent resident, they should apply under the Adopted Child category.

Note that a child can only be granted a permanent Child visa on the basis of a step relationship in circumstances where :

• the child's natural or adopted parent is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or;
• the parent is no longer a spouse of the step parent and that step parent has been granted legal responsibility for the child by a court.

Migrating as a child FAQ

Australian orphan relative category

The Orphan Relative category is for a child under 18 years of age who has no parent to care for them. The sponsor must be a relative who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Migrating as a orphan relative FAQ

Australian adoption category

The adoption category is for a child under 18 years of age who has been adopted or is in the process of being adopted by their sponsor. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, holder of a permanent visa or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The adoption must be supported by a State or Territory adoption authority, unless the adoptive parent has been resident overseas for a period of at least 12 months at the time of the migration application, and they can demonstrate that their residence overseas was not contrived to deliberately bypass the requirements concerning entry of adopted children.

Migrating as a adopted child FAQ

Dependent Child (temporary) category

The Dependent Child (temporary) category is for the natural child, adopted child or stepchild of the holder of a provisional Partner visa. The Dependent Child (temporary) visa is a provisional visa which enables a dependent child of a holder of a provisional Partner visa to travel to or remain in Australia for the same period as their parent.

Once this visa has been granted, the child can apply to be added to their parent's permanent Partner visa application.

Migrating as a dependent child FAQ

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