101802
Child and other family visas
Family visas let children and some other relatives of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens join their family in Australia.
On this page
At a glance
- Child visas
- Subclass 101 (outside Australia) and 802 (in Australia)
- Other options
- Adoption, orphan relative, carer, remaining relative and aged dependent relative visas
- Sponsor
- An eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen relative
- Waiting times
- Child visas are usually prioritised; some other family visas have very long queues
Australia's family stream includes child visas and several visas for other relatives. Child visas are the most commonly used. Other family visas cover narrow situations and some have only a small number of places each year, so waiting times can be very long.
Child visas
The Child visa lets a dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently. Apply for the subclass 101 if the child is outside Australia, or the subclass 802 if the child is in Australia. Children generally need to be under 18, or aged 18 to 24 and studying full time and dependent on the parent, or have a disability that makes them dependent.
If a child is born to an Australian citizen overseas, citizenship by descent may be a better option than a visa, so check this first.
Other family visas
- Adoption visa (102): for children adopted, or being adopted, by Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Orphan Relative visa (117 and 837): for a child whose parents cannot care for them, sponsored by an Australian relative.
- Carer visa (116 and 836): for someone who will care for an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition.
- Remaining Relative visa (115 and 835): for people whose only close relatives live in Australia.
- Aged Dependent Relative visa (114 and 838): for older relatives who are financially dependent on an Australian relative.
Important: places for several other family visas are very limited and queues can run for many years. Check the current status of a visa on the Home Affairs website before you pay the visa charge, and ask us about faster alternatives.
Sponsors and assurance of support
Family visas need an eligible sponsor, usually a relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Some visas also need an assurance of support, where a person promises to repay certain welfare payments if the applicant receives them during the first years.
How Immi Solution helps
We check which family visa matches your situation, confirm the sponsor's eligibility, explain realistic waiting times and costs, and prepare the evidence of the family relationship. We give you a written fee estimate before work starts.
Questions people ask
Can a child over 18 get a child visa?
Sometimes. A child aged 18 to 24 may qualify if they are studying full time and dependent on the parent. An older child may qualify if they have a disability and depend on the parent.
How long does a child visa take?
Child visas are generally processed faster than other family visas, but times vary. Check the current processing information on the Home Affairs website.
Is the remaining relative visa still available?
Places for the remaining relative and aged dependent relative visas are very limited and queues are long. Check the current status on the Home Affairs website before applying.
Official sources
We check this page against the official information below and last reviewed it on 14 November 2026. Rules, fees and processing times change, so confirm the current position before you apply.
