Child Visa (Subclass 102 – Adoption)
Permanent residency for children adopted overseas by Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens
Key Features
Permanent Residency
Your child can live in Australia permanently with no time limits
Medicare Access
Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system immediately
Education Rights
Attend Australian schools as a domestic student with no restrictions
Travel Rights
5-year travel facility to enter and exit Australia freely
Path to Citizenship
Direct pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting requirements
Full Work Rights
Work without restrictions when old enough (no limitations)
Who Is This Visa For?
The Adoption Visa facilitates family reunification for adoptive families
👶 The Child Must Be
- Under 18 years old
- Unmarried (not in de facto relationship)
- Outside Australia when applying and when visa is granted
- Legally adopted or in process of adoption
👨👩👧 The Adoptive Parent Must Be
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- 18 years or older
- Able to sponsor and support the child
- Have full parental rights over the child
📋 The Adoption Must Be
- Arranged by Australian state/territory adoption authority, or
- Intercountry adoption under Hague Convention, or
- Private adoption by parent who lived overseas 12+ months
- Legal and compliant with all relevant laws
Eligibility Requirements
Both child and sponsor must meet these criteria
Child Requirements
Must be under 18 at time of adoption, application, and decision
Not married or in a de facto relationship
Must be outside Australia when visa is lodged and granted
Meet Australian health standards through medical examination
Police clearances required if 16 years or older
Sponsor Requirements
Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen (18+)
Legal adoption with full and permanent parental rights
Demonstrate ability to support child for at least 2 years
Suitable living arrangements for the child in Australia
Police checks for sponsor (and partner) with no prohibitive convictions
Rights & Benefits for Your Child
Comprehensive permanent residency benefits
🏠 Permanent Residence
- Live in Australia indefinitely
- No time limits on stay
- Australia becomes their permanent home
- Secure and stable status
🏥 Healthcare Access
- Medicare enrollment
- Access to public healthcare
- Essential medical treatments
- Same benefits as other residents
🎓 Education Benefits
- Attend schools as domestic student
- Lower university fees (not international rates)
- Access to government education support
- No restrictions on study choices
✈️ Travel Freedom
- 5-year travel facility included
- Multiple entries during first 5 years
- Resident Return Visa available after
- Travel freely in and out of Australia
🎯 Citizenship Pathway
- Direct pathway to citizenship
- May be eligible immediately (Hague adoptions)
- Otherwise apply after meeting residence requirements
- Full Australian citizenship benefits
💼 Future Work Rights
- Full work rights when old enough
- No employment restrictions
- Can work for any employer
- Future family sponsorship rights
Recognized Adoption Types
The adoption must be conducted through authorized processes
🏛️ State/Territory Authority
- Arranged by Australian state or territory central adoption authority
- Can apply before adoption is finalized
- Most straightforward pathway
- Recognized by all Australian jurisdictions
🌍 Hague Convention
- Intercountry adoption under Hague Adoption Convention
- Bilateral agreement adoptions
- May be eligible for immediate citizenship
- Strong legal framework
✈️ Private Overseas Adoption
- Expatriate adoption while living overseas
- Parent must have lived overseas 12+ months before applying
- Full and permanent parental rights required
- Must comply with child’s home country laws
⚖️ Legal Requirements
- No legal ties remaining to birth parents
- Adoption complies with all relevant laws
- Not done to circumvent Australian adoption laws
- Exit permits from child’s country if required
Required Documents
Comprehensive documentation for both sponsor and child
For the Adoptive Parent (Sponsor)
Identity & Status
- Australian passport or citizenship certificate
- Birth certificate
- Government-issued photo ID
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Adoption Evidence
- Official adoption order or certificate
- Legal guardianship documents
- State/territory authority approvals
- Agency correspondence
Character Documents
- Australian Federal Police check
- Foreign police certificates
- Partner’s police checks (if applicable)
- Clearances for 12+ month stays
Financial Evidence
- Employment letters
- Recent pay slips
- Tax returns (last 2 years)
- Accommodation proof
For the Child (Applicant)
Identity Documents
- Birth certificate
- Passport or travel document
- 2 recent passport photos
- Affidavit of birth (if no birth certificate)
Adoption Papers
- Legal adoption order/decree
- Adoption certificate
- New birth certificate (if issued)
- Exit permits (if required)
Health & Character
- Medical examination results
- Police clearances (if 16+)
- Medical records (if applicable)
- Health exam receipt
Supporting Documents
- Orphanage/agency letters
- Birth parent consent (if applicable)
- Court documents
- Travel documents
Application Process
Step-by-step guide to bringing your child home
Prepare Documents
Gather all adoption papers, identity documents, proof of Australian citizenship/PR status, and evidence of your relationship with the child. Obtain financial and accommodation proof.
Lodge Sponsorship
Submit Form 40CH (Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia) to formally agree to sponsor the child. Include proof of income and financial capacity to support the child.
Submit Visa Application
Lodge Form 47CH (Application for migration by a child) with all supporting documents and visa application fee. Child must be outside Australia when applying.
Health & Character Checks
Arrange child’s medical examination with approved panel doctor. Provide biometrics if requested. Submit police clearances for child (if 16+) and sponsor/partner.
Case Assessment
Department assesses application. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information. Your application is in queue for decision.
Visa Decision
Receive visa grant notice with details and initial entry date. Child is now a permanent resident! Make travel arrangements to bring your child home to Australia.
Arrival & Settlement
Child enters Australia before specified date. Enroll in Medicare, provide accommodation and support, and help your child settle into their new life.
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert support for adoptive families
100% Success Rate
Perfect track record for Subclass 102 Adoption Visa applications
MARA Registered
Expert migration agents registered with MARA (MARN 2318017)
Transparent Pricing
Fixed $2,500 service fee with no hidden costs
Full Support
End-to-end assistance from document prep to visa grant
Family-Focused
Personalized, compassionate support for adoptive families
Decision-Ready Applications
Thorough preparation minimizes delays and refusals
Transparent Pricing
Clear, upfront costs for your adoption visa
Government Fee
Paid to Department of Home Affairs
- Base visa application charge
- Covers main applicant (child)
- Additional fees for extra applicants
- Non-refundable
Our Professional Service
Fixed flat fee – no surprises
- Free initial consultation
- Complete eligibility assessment
- Document checklist & preparation
- Form completion & review
- Sponsorship application assistance
- Visa application lodgement
- Case management until grant
- DHA communication handling
Additional costs may include: Medical examinations, police clearances, document translations, and travel expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does the Subclass 102 Adoption Visa take to process?
Processing times typically range from 6 to 22 months, with approximately 50% of applications processed within 6 months and 90% within 22 months. Average processing is around 10-16 months.
2. Can I apply before the adoption is finalized?
Yes, but only if the adoption was arranged through an Australian state or territory central adoption authority. In this case, you can apply while the adoption is still in process.
However, the visa cannot be granted until the adoption is legally finalized. Other adoption types require the adoption to be completed before applying.
3. What if my child turns 18 before the visa is granted?
The child must be under 18 at three key times: at the time of adoption, when the visa application is lodged, and when the visa decision is made.
If the child turns 18 before the visa is granted, they become ineligible for this visa. It’s important to apply as soon as possible after the adoption to avoid age-out issues.
4. Can the child visit Australia on a tourist visa while waiting for the adoption visa?
This is generally not recommended as it can complicate the application. The Subclass 102 requires the child to be outside Australia both when the visa is lodged and when it is granted.
If you need the child to visit during the processing period, consult with a migration agent first to ensure it won’t jeopardize the application.
5. Do I need to provide an Assurance of Support?
Not necessarily. Sponsors may be asked to provide an Assurance of Support (a financial bond) in some cases, but this is not always required.
6. What happens after the visa is granted?
Once granted, the child becomes an Australian permanent resident. You’ll need to:
- Arrange travel for the child to enter Australia before the specified initial entry date
- Enroll the child in Medicare
- Provide accommodation and financial support for at least 2 years
- Enroll the child in school if of school age
- Help them settle into their new life in Australia
The child can eventually apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
7. What adoption types are recognized?
Three main types of adoptions are recognized:
- State/Territory Authority: Arranged by an Australian state or territory central adoption authority
- Hague Convention: Intercountry adoption under the Hague Adoption Convention or bilateral agreement
- Private Overseas: Expatriate adoption by Australian parents who lived overseas 12+ months before applying
All adoptions must be legal, with full parental rights transferred to the adoptive parents and no remaining legal ties to birth parents.
Avoid Common Delays
Factors that can slow down your application
Missing required documents or incorrectly filled forms
Delays in completing foreign adoption proceedings
Delays in obtaining police clearances from multiple countries
Medical conditions requiring additional assessment or waivers
Visa fee payment not confirmed or processed
Time needed to verify foreign documents with overseas authorities
Bring Your Child Home to Australia
The Subclass 102 Adoption Visa is the final step to unite your family in Australia. Don’t navigate the complex process alone – let our experts guide you with compassion and expertise.
Book Your Free Consultation
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.