Sponsoring your child
New direct pathway to citizenship
22 April 2023
Non-protected Special Category Visa-holders who have resided in Australia for four years can apply directly for citizenship from the 1 July 2023 without needing to apply for a permanent visa.
Children aged 16 and over must apply on their own.
Children aged 15 and under who hold a permanent visa can be included on their parent's citizenship application at no cost. Alternatively, they can apply for citizenship immediately after being granted a permanent visa if their responsible parent is already an Australian citizen.
The following information is intended for New Zealand citizens applying to sponsor their dependent child for a permanent visa.
Before applying
Some Special Category Visa-holders are eligible for a Student Loan. If granted a Permanent Visa they will need to wait for citizenship.
Read the Child 802 Visa information on the Department of Home Affairs website. There is also a Child Migration Booklet to help with the application. There are two paper application forms, one for the child and one for the sponsoring parent.
Sponsoring your child
You can sponsor your dependent children for a permanent visa if you are either an:
- Australian citizen;
- Australian permanent resident; or
- Protected Special Category Visa-holder.
New Zealanders who first enter Australia after 26 February 2001 are granted a Special Category Visa. This is a temporary visa under the Migration Act and does not enable them to apply for citizenship or sponsor family.
Before sponsoring your children you should read the Child Migration Booklet.
Applicants must have a valid passport before applying for any visa, or citizenship.
You will need to include certified copies of your supporting documents, such as your child's birth certificate and passport photo page, with your application. Do not post original documents.
Please note
- If sponsoring your partner you can include your dependent children on the application. The fee at July 2023 is $4,045 for each for child aged 18 and over, and $2,025 each for child under 18.
- Children cannot be automatically included on their parent's citizenship application, they must first be granted a permanent visa.
- Children aged under 16, who have been granted a permanent visa, can apply for citizenship immediately if their responsible parent is already an Australian citizen.
Dependent children
You can sponsor any dependent children aged up to 25 years. If they are aged 18 and over they must be:
- financially dependent on the sponsoring parent; and
- not working full time; and
- either in full time study leading to a trade, vocational or professional qualification, or unable to work due to a disability.
Provide an explanation if more than a six-month gap between leaving school and commencing study.
If aged 18 and over they cannot be engaged to be married and cannot be, or ever have been, in a de facto relationship.
Please note
If your child is aged 25 please confirm with the Department of Home Affairs that you can sponsor them. The Department of Home Affairs website, Child Visa booklet and application form have conflicting information.
It is recommended that anyone aged 18 and over, or due to turn 18 while the application is being processed, complete Form 80 and provide a penal clearance.
Fees
The Child Migration visa fee at July 2023 is $3,055 per child. Each child (sibling) requires a separate application.
Arranging a health examination
Health examination results are valid for 12 months, Home Affairs will contact you to request a health examination.
Use the eMedical system to process your health examination online. The current migration medical services provider is Bupa Medical Visa Service.
All children aged under 18 are required to undertake full medicals, even if they are not being sponsored. This includes any children from a previous relationship not currently residing with you.
Requesting your criminal conviction history
You will need to request your criminal record if either you or your partner were aged over 18 when you came to Australia.
Tick the box for a full Criminal Record. Requesting your records is free and it remains valid for 12 months. It should take 1-3 months to be processed and sent to you.
Child Migration Visa application form
You should be in Australia when you apply for this visa. You will need to complete the following Child visa application forms and lodge them together:
- the child or sponsoring parent should complete form 47CH Application for migration to Australia by a child
- sponsoring parents should complete form 40C Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia
- form 47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over must be completed for each member of your family unit aged 18 years or over, whether they migrating or not.
Submitting your application
You must apply for this visa on paper. If applying outside Australia lodge the application at the nearest Australian mission.
All applications lodged in Australia are processed in Perth. The application should be sent via registered post or courier to the appropriate address:
Registered Post
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Locked Bag 7
Northbridge WA 6865
Courier
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Wellington Central
836 Wellington Street
West Perth WA 6005
Processing times
The Department of Home Affairs reports processing times for Child 802 Visa applications on its website. Ensure you provide adequate supporting documents and proof they are your biological or adopted child.
Related
For more information refer to Child Visa on the Department of Home Affairs website.
There is also a Child Migration Booklet to help with the application.
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461), a temporary visa valid for five years.
Technical help
If you cannot resolve an issue with your application, refer to Common issues and error messages and ImmiAccount Technical Support on the Home Affairs website.
Have a question?
Click the Ask a Question box at the bottom of the Home Affairs website to use the digital assistant. It may not work with Mozilla Firefox in private browsing mode.
Alternatively, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81.
Disclaimer:
The above “Sponsoring your Child” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from the Department of Home Affairs, or a professional immigration services provider.
If you have any specific questions about an immigration matter, you should consult the Department of Home Affairs or a professional immigration services provider.