There are a range of different kind of family related migration visas for different situations.

Child visa

A parent, including stepparents, who is a settled an Australia citizen, permanent resident or eligible-New Zealand citizen may sponsor their children to migrate to Australia. Adult children up to the age of 25 years age may be eligible for this visa if they are dependent, having been studying since turning 18 and never been married or in de facto relationship. The 25 years age limit does not apply if the child is incapacitated to work due to disabilities.

Child visa options:

• Subclass 101 Child visa
• Subclass 802 Child visa

Interesting facts – Did you know?

A child in Australia who has been refused a visa and do not currently hold a visa or holding a Bridging visa can still a subclass 802 Child visa. This visa subclass is exempted from the operation of s.48 the Migration Act 1958 (commonly referred to as the s.48 bar).

Adoption visa
A child who has been formally adopted overseas, or approved for adoption, by an Australia citizen, permanent resident or eligible-New Zealand citizen may be sponsored by their adopted parents to apply for a subclass 102 Adoption visa.

Generally, if the adoption took place when the adopted parents are residing in Australia as Australian citizen and permeant resident, then the adoption must have been approved by the competent authority in Australia prior to the adoption.

Information about adopting a child from overseas can be found at Intercountry Adoption Australia. 

Customary adoption process may be accepted if at the time of adoption, customary adoption was the process of adoption in the relevant country and the adopted parents were residing not in Australia as Australian citizen or permeant resident.

Orphan relative visa
In the unfortunate situation that a child that is a relative of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible-New Zealand citizen can no longer be cared by their parents become the parents are dead, permanently incapacitated or whereabouts are unknown, then the child can be sponsored by the relevant to apply for an Orphan relative visa to migrate permanently to Australia.

Relatives of the child can be siblings, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew, and the step- equivalent.

Orphan relative visa options:

• Subclass 117 Orphan relative visa
• Subclass 837 Orphan relative visa