Child Visa (SUBCLASS 802)

The Child Visa (Subclass 802) is a permanent onshore visa for an eligible child who is already in Australia and wants to stay in Australia permanently with their parent. The child must be the dependent child of an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent visa.

A child may be eligible if they are single, are in Australia when the application is lodged and when the visa is decided, and are either under 18, a full-time student aged 18 to 25 who is financially dependent on the parent, or aged 18 or over and unable to work due to disability and financially dependent on the parent.

The main requirements are that the child must be a dependent child of an eligible parent, be in Australia at the required stages, meet health requirements, satisfy character requirements where applicable, and provide the necessary evidence for identity, relationship, dependency, and parental responsibility if the child is under 18.

Yes. Subclass 802 is the onshore child visa, so it is specifically for children who are already in Australia. The child must be in Australia when the application is lodged and when the decision is made.

They can be, but extra evidence may be needed. Form 47CH states that where the child is a step-child of the Australian parent, evidence is required about the child’s parentage, the parent’s former relationship, and the step-parent’s parental responsibility for the child.

Yes. A child can qualify if they are under 18, or if they are 18 to 25 and a full-time student who is financially dependent on the parent, or if they are 18 or older and unable to work because of disability and are financially dependent on the parent.

Processing times vary depending on the completeness of the application, the documents provided, and Home Affairs caseloads. The Department publishes current global visa processing times separately, so the latest official processing page should be checked before relying on any estimate.

Yes. Subclass 802 is a permanent visa. It lets the child stay in Australia permanently if the visa is granted.

Yes. Home Affairs states that Subclass 802 allows the child to work and study in Australia.

The official Subclass 802 page confirms the child must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided. Whether the child can stay lawfully during processing depends on their current visa status and any bridging visa arrangements that may apply after lodgement. That part is case-specific and should be checked carefully at the time of application.

Yes. The child must meet health requirements, and character requirements may also apply, especially for older applicants. Form 47CH also indicates that applicants aged 16 or over may need police certificates and other supporting character documents where required.

That depends on the child’s current immigration status and what happens at lodgement. The official sources do not give one simple rule for every applicant, so this should be checked based on the child’s current visa and any bridging visa outcome linked to the 802 application.

There is no simple one-line rule published on the main visa page for every situation. If the sponsoring parent dies, Home Affairs would assess the case based on the visa law, the child’s circumstances, and the evidence available. This is a situation where tailored migration advice is especially important.

Yes. Home Affairs states that a successful Subclass 802 applicant can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme.

Possibly, but only if they later meet the requirements of the relevant migration category. Home Affairs lists that Subclass 802 holders may be able to sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence, subject to migration rules.

Changes that affect eligibility or documents should be reported to Home Affairs as soon as possible. Because the application relies on details such as relationship, dependency, parental responsibility, and location in Australia, any major change should be updated promptly.

That depends on the family structure and who qualifies under the migration rules. Form 47CH provides for family-unit information, but inclusion is not automatic in every case, so the application should be prepared carefully with the correct supporting evidence.

The published visa page focuses mainly on eligibility and outcome rather than a detailed public list of post-grant sponsor obligations. In practice, the sponsor must provide accurate information and support the application properly, and child-protection and parental-responsibility issues remain important during assessment.

Yes. Home Affairs states that the child can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. After that, another travel facility such as a Resident Return Visa may be needed for re-entry as a permanent resident.

The best starting point is the official Home Affairs Subclass 802 page and Form 47CH. If the case involves complex dependency, parental responsibility, step-parent issues, or unusual family circumstances, getting advice from a registered migration professional is sensible.