Dependent children are always welcome to join their parents in Australia. While it is an option for the children to migrate to Australia with the migrating parent, sometimes children migrate separately.

There are visas for biological children, orphan relatives and adopted children of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens – these children may receive permanent resident visas, meaning they can live in Australia permanently and eventually apply for Australian citizenship. There are also visas available for children, under the age of 18, of persons who in Australia on temporary student, worker or business visas.

Child visa – Allows a child to travel to and live in Australia permanently with their parents.

Eligibility:
• The child must be single.
• Special age requirements apply.

Adoption visa – Allows a child who is adopted, or is in the process of being adopted, outside Australia to travel to and live in Australia permanently with their adoptive parents. The only requirements for this visa to be granted is that the child must be adopted or to be in the process of being adopted.

Orphan child – This visa allows a child to travel to and live permanently in Australia with their sponsoring relative.

Eligibility:
• Inside or outside Australia when applying for the visa.
• The relative of a person who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Sponsored by a relative (a brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or step-equivalent) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Unable to be cared for by their parents because they are both either missing, dead or permanently incapacitated.
• Under 18 years of age when applying for the visa.