Australia is not only known for its beautiful landscape and quality of life, but also for its commitment to family reunion through various immigration programs. Among them, child visa subclass 101 plays an important role in helping the children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens join their parents and create a new life together in Australia.

If you are parents living in Australia and want your child to stay with you permanently, then the subclass 101 visa may be the right route. In this blog, we will cover all the things that you need to know about child visa 101 - from eligibility and application stages to major benefits and general disadvantages.

What is a child visa (Subclass 101)?

The Child Visa (Subclass 101) is a permanent visa that allows a child to live permanently in Australia, whether biological, adopted, or stepchild. This visa is designed for children outside Australia at the time of application and grant.

Once granted, the child can:

Live in Australia permanently

Study and work in Australia

Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system

Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible

Sponsor relatives once they become eligible themselves

This visa is particularly important for parents who have settled in Australia and now want to bring their dependent children to join permanently.

Who can sponsor a child?

To be eligible as a sponsor, the parent must be:

An Australian citizen, or

An Australian permanent resident, or

An eligible New Zealand citizen

The parent must also:

Be settled in Australia, meaning they have lived there lawfully for at least 2 years (in most cases)

Be willing to sponsor the child and support them financially

If the child is under the age of 18, then there is legal custody or consent from other parents when he is implemented.

Who can apply for a visa?

To qualify for child visa subclass 101, there should be an applicant:

Outside and when visas are given outside Australia at the time of application

The biological, adopted, or stepchild of the sponsoring parent

Less than 18 years of age, or:

Between 18 to 25 years of age and a full -time student, or

Over 18 and dependent on the sponsoring parent due to disability

The child must also be:

Unmarried

Not engaged or in a de facto relationship

Meet the health and character requirements (for children over 16)

Have written consent from both parents, or have full legal custody from the sponsor parent

Including Other Family Members

In some cases, a younger brother of a primary hair visa applicant may be included in the same application. This can reduce overall costs and streamline processing. However, each child must personally meet the same eligibility criteria.

Application process
Here is a step-by-step observation to apply for sub-class 101 visas:

Prepare documents

Identity documents for the child

Birth certificate or adoption papers

Consent documents (from the other parent, if applicable)

Proof of dependency (for children over 18)

Sponsorship documents from the parent

Lodge the Application

The application must be made from outside Australia

Submit the form and pay the required visa application charge

Visa Processing

The Department of Home Affairs assesses the application

Health and character checks may be required

Additional documents may be requested

Visa Decision

Once granted, the child becomes a permanent resident of Australia

The child can travel to and from Australia freely and start using services like Medicare

Costs Involved

By 2025, the visa application charge for subclass 101 is about 3,055 AUD for the main applicant. Can apply for additional fees:

Including additional children

Health examinations

Police approval certificate

Translations and document certifications

Keep in mind that these fees are non-worthy, even if the application fails.

How long does it take?

Processing time varies depending on individual circumstances. By mid -2025:

75% of applications are processed in around 12–14 months

90% of applications are processed within 18 months

The delay is often caused by incomplete applications or missing documents, so complete preparation is necessary.

Child Visa Benefits 101
Permanent residence from first day

Reach education, healthcare and employment rights

Provides a clear passage for citizenship

The child allows the future family members to sponsor family members in the future

This visa ensures that children can live in a safe, stable and supportive environment in Australia with their parents.

Common mistakes to escape

Incorrect age classification – ensure the child meets age and dependency criteria.

Insufficient evidence of relationship – especially important for adopted or stepchildren.

Missing consent documents – if the other biological parent has legal custody.

Applying from inside Australia – this is an offshore visa only.

Not disclosing the previous visa or health issues - complete transparency is necessary.

final thoughts

Child visa subclass 101 is one of the most powerful tools for reunion of families in Australia. This ensures that children can live in a safe, nutrition environment with their parents and reach equal rights and benefits of any other permanent resident.