Child Visa (Subclass 101) Document Checklist: Complete 2026 Guide

📋 Quick Overview

• 💰 Application Fee: AUD 2,940
• 💼 Visa Type: Child Visa (Subclass 101)
• ⏱️ Processing Time: Several months to over a year

• ✅ The child must be under 18 years of age (or between 18 and 25 and financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 with a disability and dependent on the parent)
• ✅ The child must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted
• ✅ The sponsoring parent must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• ✅ The child must be a biological child, adopted child, or stepchild of the sponsor
• ✅ The child must meet health and character requirements

• ✅ Current valid passport (biographical page)
• ✅ Birth certificate — this is the primary document establishing the parent-child relationship
• ✅ Passport-sized photographs meeting Australian visa specifications
• ✅ National identity card (if applicable)

• ✅ Biological child: Birth certificate naming both parents. If the sponsor is not named on the birth certificate, provide DNA test results, statutory declarations, or court orders establishing parentage.
• ✅ Adopted child: Adoption papers or court orders from the country of adoption, plus evidence that the adoption complies with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (if applicable)
• ✅ Stepchild: Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence between the sponsor and the child’s biological parent, plus the child’s birth certificate

• ✅ Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible NZ citizenship (passport, citizenship certificate, ImmiCard)
• ✅ Birth certificate
• ✅ Evidence of identity

• ✅ If both parents agree: Consent from the other parent (the non-sponsoring parent) using Form 1229 — Consent to Grant an Australian Visa to a Child Under 18. Both parents must sign.
• ✅ If only one parent has custody: Court orders granting sole custody or parental responsibility to the sponsoring parent
• ✅ If the other parent cannot be located: Evidence of attempts to locate the other parent, statutory declarations, and potentially a court order dispensing with consent
• ✅ If the other parent is deceased: Death certificate

• ✅ Evidence of financial support (bank transfers, payment records)
• ✅ Evidence that the child is a full-time student
• ✅ Statutory declaration from the child and sponsor describing the dependency
• ✅ Evidence the child is not employed full-time or married/in a de facto relationship

• ✅ Medical reports describing the disability and its impact on the child’s ability to work
• ✅ Evidence that the child is financially dependent due to the disability
• ✅ Statutory declarations from the sponsor

• ✅ Health examination results via a panel-approved physician (generate HAP ID in ImmiAccount)
• ✅ Depending on the child’s age and country, a chest X-ray may be required

• ✅ Police clearance certificates for children aged 16 and over, from every country where they lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• ✅ For younger children, character requirements are generally met through parental declarations

• ✅ If the child is included in another visa application that is still being processed, provide details of that application
• ✅ If the child was born overseas to an Australian citizen parent, consider whether Australian citizenship by descent may be a simpler pathway — our team can advise on the best option

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Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements are subject to change. Always verify the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a MARA-registered migration agent.