Adoption Visa (Subclass 102)

Adoption Visa Benefits

With an adoption visa, you can:

• Live, work, and study in Australia without time restrictions
• Receive healthcare benefits through Medicare, Australia’s healthcare program
• Qualify for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
• Sponsor relatives for permanent residency if they meet the requirements
• Leave and return to Australia multiple times for up to five years after the visa is granted

Requirements for Adoptive Parents

• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must be the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent of the child
• You must be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent resident visa, or be an eligible New Zealand citizen
• Your adoption of the child must involve an Australian state or territory adoption agency
• The adoption must have been legally conducted under the laws of a country other than Australia

For adoptions within Australia, your home country must have:

• Signed the Hague Adoption Convention agreement
• An active bilateral agreement with Australia

Visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/adoption-102  to learn more about adoption agreements like the Hague Convention and bilateral agreements.

If you adopted a child abroad,

Qualification Criteria for Applicants

An application for this visa by an adoptive parent is appropriate only if the child:

• has not yet reached 18 years of age
• lives outside Australia
• is in the process of adoption or has been adopted by the sponsor
• meets the required health and character standards
• can provide evidence of assurance of support

Note: If the application is filed when the child is under 18 but the child turns 18 before the visa grant, they will be ineligible for this visa.

Child Welfare Considerations

An adoption visa cannot be issued if it does not serve the best interests of children below the age of 18.

Visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/adoption-102 to learn more about child protection criteria.

Adding Family Members to Visa Applications

Applicants are allowed to include their siblings in their visa applications.

Every dependent family member must satisfy health and character standards.

Medical and Police Verification Requirements

All primary applicants and their dependents included in the visa application are required to:

• Undergo medical checks conducted within one year before applying for the visa
• Obtain police clearances from each country lived in for over a year during the past decade

Australian Government Financial Liabilities

You are required to settle any unpaid debts to the Australian government or arrange for their repayment before your visa can be issued.

This information is intended for general understanding and is not legal advice. We advise you to seek assistance from a Registered Migration Agent for more information, or you can check with the Department of Home Affairs at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/adoption-102