FAMILY VISAS
Child Offshore Visa (Subclass 101)
With the Child Offshore Visa (subclass 101), children living abroad can live with their parents who are Australian permanent residents or Australian citizens, or are eligible New Zealand citizens. Eligibility may apply to dependent children, orphaned relatives, and adoptive parents.
This visa allows children to live permanently with their parents in Australia with access to healthcare and education comparable to residents. A sponsoring parent must meet sponsorship conditions for the child’s application.
Highlights
- Visit Australia and remain for as long as you want.
- Work and study in Australia.
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
- Allow eligible family members to move permanently.
- Travel to and from Australia for five years from grant; after that, a new visa may be required for re-entry.
Key Eligibility Requirements
- A sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Sponsors can include a step‑parent, an adoptive parent, or a child adopted before the sponsor became an Australian citizen.
- Written consent is required from each person who can legally decide where the child should live.
- The home country’s laws must permit the removal of the child.
- The child must comply with any Australian child order.
- The child must meet health requirements (including dependent family members).
- Children aged 16+ must meet character requirements, including police certificates for any country lived in 12+ months.
- No outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or arrangements to repay any debts.
