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Pathway

Australia Dependent Child Visa

Australia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Subclass 445 lets a dependent child stay temporarily while a parent’s permanent Partner visa application is still being decided. It is often used when the child was left out of the temporary Partner visa. After approval, you must separately add the child to the parent’s permanent application.

Parent’s application
A permanent Partner visa application must still be undecided
Parent’s current visa
Usually temporary Partner visa 309 or 820; specified 445 cases also qualify
Child’s dependency
Under 18, or an older child meeting the financial-dependency or disability rule; applicable unmarried-child conditions also apply

Summary

The Dependent Child visa (Subclass 445) is a temporary visa for a dependent child whose parent holds a temporary Partner visa—usually Subclass 309 or 820—and is still waiting for the related permanent Partner visa decision.

It is most often used when the child was not included before the parent's temporary Partner visa was granted. Subclass 445 lets the child travel to or remain in Australia during the permanent-partner stage, but it does not automatically add the child to the parent's permanent application.

After the 445 is granted, the family must separately ask Home Affairs to add the child to the pending Subclass 100 or 801 application, normally using Form 1002 and the relevant ImmiAccount process.

Adding a child during the Partner visa process
  1. Check the parent’s temporary visa and pending permanent application Confirm the child qualifies and the permanent decision has not been made.
  2. Apply for Subclass 445 with the required sponsorship Follow current paper instructions and keep the application details.
  3. After approval, add the child to the permanent application Submit Form 1002, notify the processing team, and confirm the child is included.

A Subclass 445 approval does not automatically add the child to the permanent Partner application.

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Eligibility

The child must depend on a parent who holds Subclass 309, 820, or 445, with the related permanent Partner application still undecided. The child must continue to meet the visa rules for a dependent child.

Broadly, a dependent child is under 18, or is an older child who fits the applicable financial-dependency or disability rule. The child must not be married, engaged or in a qualifying unmarried partnership where the dependent-child rules prohibit it. Evidence can include birth or adoption documents, custody records, education and financial-support records, and medical evidence when dependency is based on disability.

The same person who sponsored the parent generally sponsors the child. Health, character, identity, parental-consent, government-debt and best-interests requirements can apply. Home Affairs' location rules affect both grant and the later permanent addition: for an 801 case, a 445 holder generally must be in Australia to be added; for a 100 case, the child may be inside or outside Australia.

What This Route Allows

Subclass 445 lets the child live in Australia temporarily while Home Affairs considers the parent's permanent Partner visa. It generally allows travel, study and work subject to the conditions recorded for the individual visa.

If the child is validly added to the parent's pending permanent Partner visa application and all requirements are met, the child may later receive permanent residence with that family application.

What This Route Is Not

This is not permanent residence and is not a stand-alone child migration route. The child's long-term result depends on the parent's pending Subclass 100 or 801 application and on the separate step of adding the child after the temporary visa is approved.

Grant of the 445 does not automatically notify the permanent-partner processing team or add the child. Missing Form 1002 or the required ImmiAccount notification can leave the child outside the permanent decision.

It is also not available after Home Affairs has already granted the parent's permanent Partner visa. Families should act before that decision and notify Home Affairs promptly about a new child or changes in the family.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the parent currently holds Subclass 309 or 820 and that the related Subclass 100 or 801 application remains undecided.
  2. Confirm the child meets the current dependent-child definition and gather relationship, custody and dependency evidence.
  3. Have the eligible partner sponsor complete the 445 sponsorship process.
  4. Submit the Subclass 445 application using Home Affairs' current paper instructions and retain the receipt and application identifiers.
  5. After approval, complete Form 1002 and attach it to the parent's permanent Partner visa application in ImmiAccount.
  6. Notify the Partner Processing area as directed and verify the child appears in the permanent application before a decision.
  7. Keep the child's visa, passport, health and location requirements current while both processes are pending.

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Other routes in Australia.

Sources