Child Visa (Subclass 101, 802, 102, 117, 837, 445)

The Australian Child Visa suite is primarily a paper-based application process. While you must mail your physical documents to a central office in Western Australia, you will manage the ongoing progress of your application through the Australian government's digital portal, ImmiAccount.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before applying, you must gather all required evidence. If any document is not in English, you must provide a professional translation.

• For the Child: A completed Form 47CH, a certified copy of their current passport, birth certificate, and 4 recent passport-sized photos.
• For the Sponsor: A completed Form 40CH. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Consent: If the child is under 18 and one parent is not migrating, you must submit Form 1229 to prove legal consent for the child to move.
• Dependency (Ages 18-25): For children in this age bracket, you must provide proof of full-time student status and financial dependence (such as bank statements or rent receipts).

Step 2: Pay the Application Charge

You must pay the Visa Application Charge (VAC) before you mail your application. Create an ImmiAccount and use the "Manage Payments" section to pay the fee. Keep a copy of your receipt, as you must include it in your paper application package.

Step 3: Submit Your Paper Application

All child visa applications are processed at a single location. You must send your completed forms, supporting documents, and payment receipt to the Perth Child and Other Family Processing Centre.

• By Post: Locked Bag 7, Northbridge WA 6865, Australia.
• By Courier: 836 Wellington Street, West Perth WA 6005, Australia.

Step 4: Digital Import and Tracking

Within approximately one month of mailing your documents, you will receive an acknowledgement letter. Once you have this, log back into your ImmiAccount and use the "Import Application" feature. This allows you to attach additional documents digitally, update your contact details, and track the status of the case.

Step 5: Health and Biometrics

Do not complete medical exams or biometrics (fingerprints and photos) until the Department of Home Affairs contacts you. They will send a specific request with a HAP ID (Health Assessment Portal ID) when it is time for these checks.

Item	Cost
Base Application Fee (Subclasses 101, 802, 102, 117, 837)	AUD 3,235
Base Application Fee (Subclass 445)	AUD 3,140
Health Examinations	AUD 300 – 500 (est.)
Australian Police Check (AFP Code 33)	AUD 42

Total Estimate: Approximately AUD 3,600 – AUD 4,000 per child. Note: This does not include costs for foreign police certificates, professional document translations, or courier postage fees.

Processing times vary by the specific subclass and the complexity of the family relationship.

Subclass	Estimated Timeframe
101 (Child - Offshore)	22 to 28 months
802 (Child - Onshore)	10 to 24 months
102 (Adoption)	20 to 29 months
837 (Orphan Relative)	15 to 20 months

Important Validity Notes:

• The "Single" Rule: The child must remain single (not married or in a de facto relationship) from the moment of application until the visa is granted.
• Age Lock-in: For subclasses 101 and 802, the child must meet the age requirements both when you apply and when the Department makes a final decision.
• Travel Facility: Once granted, permanent visas include a 5-year travel facility. After this period, the child will need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia.