Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You'll submit your application by mail to the Department of Home Affairs' Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth. Your child must be physically in Australia when you lodge the application and when the visa is decided. The process involves completing two forms, paying the visa fee online, and mailing your complete application package with supporting documents.
Step 1: Confirm Your Child's Eligibility
Before you begin, verify that your child meets all eligibility requirements:
- Your child is under 18 years old, OR is 18–25 years old and a full-time student who is financially dependent on you, OR is over 18 with a permanent disability that prevents them from working and they are financially dependent on you
- Your child is single (not married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship)
- Your child is in Australia on a valid visa (not on a visa with Condition 8503 "No Further Stay")
- Your child is your biological child, adopted child (adoption finalized before age 18), or stepchild (under 18 at time of application)
- Your child has no outstanding debts to the Australian government
- If your child is under 18, you have written consent from anyone with parental responsibility for them, or the laws of their home country allow them to leave
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility as Sponsor
Verify that you meet sponsor requirements:
- You are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are the child's parent or your partner is the child's parent (and you have legal responsibility for the child)
- You are financially stable enough to support your child
Step 3: Gather Documents for Your Child
Collect and organize certified copies of all documents. Do not submit originals. Scan or photograph all documents in colour and ensure they are clear.
Identity and Relationship:
- Current passport (pages showing photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates)
- Birth certificate showing the child's relationship to you
- If adopted: adoption papers or adoption compliance certificate
- If stepchild: marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence
Health and Character:
- Medical examination results (the Department will tell you when these are required)
- Police clearance certificate (if your child is aged 16 or over)
Dependency Evidence (if your child is aged 18–25):
- School enrolment confirmation or educational transcripts
- Bank statements, payslips, or money transfer records showing financial support from you
- Rent receipts or living arrangement documentation
Parental Consent (if your child is under 18):
- Form 1229 — Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 years, signed by anyone with parental responsibility, OR a statutory declaration giving consent
If Your Child Has Dependent Children:
- Birth certificates and passports for any dependent children under 18
- Medical examination results for dependent children
Step 4: Gather Documents for Yourself (Sponsor)
Citizenship and Residence:
- Proof of Australian citizenship (citizenship certificate or passport), Australian permanent residency (visa grant letter), or eligible New Zealand citizen status
- If a New Zealand citizen: evidence of how long you've lived in Australia and your continued links to Australia
Identity:
- Current passport (pages showing photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates)
- Birth certificate showing both your parents' names
Relationship to Your Child:
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce or separation documents (if applicable)
- Court orders or custody documents (if applicable)
Financial Documents:
- Bank statements (recent, showing regular deposits)
- Payslips (last 2–3 months)
- Tax returns (last 2 years)
- If you pay child support or have provided an assurance of support for anyone else: a statement to that effect
Character:
- Australian state or territory police certificate (if you've lived in Australia)
Partner Documents (if applicable): If you have a partner, provide the same identity, financial, and character documents for them.
Step 5: Translate Non-English Documents
All documents not in English must be translated. Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Translators outside Australia do not need to be accredited, but they must include their name, address, and qualifications in English on each translation.
You do not need to have documents certified by a notary or lawyer.
Step 6: Complete Application Forms
Download and complete two forms from the Department of Home Affairs website:
- Form 40CH — Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia (completed by you, the sponsor)
- Form 47CH — Application for migration to Australia by a child (completed by your child, or by you on their behalf if they are under 18)
Print both forms and complete them in English. Be accurate and thorough; errors or inconsistencies delay processing.
Step 7: Calculate and Pay the Visa Fee Online
Use the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator to calculate your total fee based on the number of applicants and their ages.
Pay the fee online through the Department of Home Affairs portal using a credit card, PayPal, or BPAY. The Department will not begin processing your application if the fee is not paid.
Keep proof of payment. You will need to attach evidence of the paid fee to your application package.
Step 8: Prepare Your Application Package
Organize your documents in the following order:
- Completed Form 40CH (sponsorship)
- Completed Form 47CH (child's application)
- Proof of paid visa fee
- Your documents (sponsor)
- Your child's documents
- Partner documents (if applicable)
- Dependent children's documents (if applicable)
Place all documents in a folder or envelope. Do not bind or staple documents together. Use a paperclip or loose arrangement so the Department can easily separate and scan each page.
Step 9: Lodge Your Application by Mail
Mail your complete application package to:
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Department of Home Affairs
Perth, WA 6000
Australia
Use a tracked courier service (such as Australia Post Registered Mail, StarTrack, or DHL) to ensure your application is received. Keep a copy of the tracking number and all submitted documents for your records.
Critical requirement: Your child must be in Australia when you lodge this application.
Step 10: Receive Bridging Visa
Once your application is received and processed, your child will generally be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This allows your child to remain lawfully in Australia while the Department processes your application. Your family can stay together during the waiting period.
Step 11: Respond to Department Requests
The Department may request additional information or documents during processing. You will typically have 28 days to respond. Respond promptly and completely; delays in responding can significantly extend processing times.
Step 12: Attend Health Examinations (if required)
The Department will inform you when health examinations are required for your child and any dependent children. Schedule appointments with an approved panel doctor and complete the examinations. Your child must meet Australia's health requirements.
Step 13: Receive Visa Grant
If your application is approved, the Department will issue a visa grant notice specifying:
- Visa conditions
- Commencement date
- Validity period (5 years for travel purposes)
Your child becomes a permanent resident of Australia on the date the visa is granted.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant (main child) | AUD $3,235.00 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 and over | AUD $1,615.00 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD $810.00 |
Total estimate: For a single child applicant, the visa fee is AUD $3,235.00. If your child has dependent children, add AUD $810.00 per dependent child under 18, or AUD $1,615.00 per dependent aged 18 and over.
This does not include: Medical examinations (cost varies by country and clinic), police certificates and character checks, document translation by accredited translators, biometric services (if required), or courier postage for mailing your application.
Use the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator to calculate your exact total cost based on your family's circumstances.
The visa fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.
Processing Time
Standard Processing Timeframes
Based on recently decided applications, the Department estimates:
- 50% of applications are processed within 12 months
- 75% of applications are processed within 17 months
- 90% of applications are processed within 22 months
These timeframes apply to complete applications submitted with all required documents.
Factors That Affect Your Processing Time
Your application may be processed faster or slower depending on:
- Application completeness: Incomplete applications or missing documents significantly delay processing
- Responsiveness to requests: If the Department asks for additional information, respond within the 28-day timeframe. Delays in responding extend processing time
- Accuracy of information: Errors or inconsistencies in your application require clarification
- Department workload: Backlogs at the Department of Home Affairs affect processing speed
- Parental custody issues: Complex custody or guardianship situations may require additional investigation
- Health or character concerns: Additional health or character information requests extend processing time
The Department will not start processing if you don't pay the visa fee.
No Fast-Track Option
The Australian Department of Home Affairs does not offer an official fast-track or priority processing option for the Subclass 802 visa. However, submitting a complete, accurate, and well-documented application from the outset is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.
Recent Processing Improvements (March 2026)
From 6 March 2026, the Department implemented a nation-wide visa processing overhaul with accelerated review timelines, a new centralized digital tracking platform, and automated document verification. However, specific processing time targets for the Subclass 802 visa were not announced. The overhaul focused on work visas (10 weeks), student visas (8 weeks), and permanent residence (six months). The impact on child visa processing times is not yet clear.
Document Validity Periods
Ensure your documents are current:
- Passports: Must be valid for the duration of processing and beyond
- Police certificates: Typically valid for 12 months from issue
- Medical examinations: Valid for 12 months from completion (or longer for some conditions)
- Birth certificates and adoption papers: No expiry date, but must be certified copies