PR Pathway for Children, Adoption and Orphan Relatives
When an Australian citizen or permanent resident parent wants to bring a child to Australia to settle long-term, there is a group of direct permanent visas for children and related circumstances: the Child visa 101 (lodged outside Australia) and 802 (lodged inside Australia), the Adoption visa 102 for adopted children, and the Orphan Relative visa 117 for orphaned children with a relative in Australia. This article helps you picture the overall pathway. For the detail specific to the child visa, read it alongside Child visa 101/802.
Who is this pathway for?
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident parent who wants a child (biological or adopted) to settle with them.
- A family adopting a child through a valid process who wants to bring the child to Australia.
- An Australian relative of an orphaned child who wants to sponsor the child to Australia.
Where it starts
It starts with working out which category the child falls into and who is eligible to sponsor:
- Child 101/802: a biological child, stepchild or adopted child of the sponsor; choose 101 if the child is outside Australia, 802 if the child is lawfully in Australia.
- Adoption 102: a child adopted through a recognised process.
- Orphan Relative 117: an unmarried child whose parents have died, are missing or cannot care for them, and who has an eligible Australian relative.
The definition of “dependent child”, the age limits, the single status and the study requirements are key factors — and all change over time. Do not guess; confirm each definition on the official page for the correct subclass.
Steps to permanent residence
- Identify the correct subclass based on the child’s circumstances (biological/adopted/orphaned, inside or outside Australia).
- Check the dependency conditions of the child (age, single status, study) against the official definitions.
- Arrange an eligible sponsor (a parent, or an Australian relative for the 117 stream).
- Prepare the documents: birth certificate, relationship documents, adoption documents, or documents proving orphan status.
- Lodge the application for the correct subclass.
- Meet the health and character requirements when asked.
- Visa is granted → the child becomes a permanent resident.
Fees and figures to check
According to the official Home Affairs page, the base application charge for the Child visa 101 (lodged outside Australia) for the main applicant is from 4,040 AUD. The other subclasses in the group (102, 117, 802) have their own charges — check each page.
The figures you must check yourself on the official source:
- The definition and threshold of “dependent child”: the age limit and study conditions are set out specifically.
- The charge for each subclass and the charge for cases with multiple people: use the Visa Pricing Estimator.
- The current processing time: compare on Visa Processing Times.
Two official tools to use before lodging:
- Visa Pricing Estimator (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator)
- Visa Processing Times (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times)
The deciding factors
- Whether the child genuinely meets the “dependent child” definition (age, single status, study).
- An eligible sponsor for the correct subclass.
- Valid adoption documents (for 102) or proof of orphan status (for 117).
- Choosing the correct subclass based on whether the child is inside or outside Australia.
Risks and common mistakes
- Assuming a child who is over the age limit still qualifies without checking the current dependency definition.
- Confusing the Child visa with the adoption or orphan stream when each has its own conditions.
- An adoption case that did not go through a recognised process.
- Insufficient documents proving the parent–child relationship.
- Choosing 101 instead of 802 (or vice versa) based on the child’s location.
When to consult an RMA
Adoption and blended-family cases (stepchild, a child from a previous marriage, intercountry adoption) are usually legally complex and very much benefit from professional support. A Registered Migration Agent registered with OMARA can help identify the correct subclass, check the dependency definition and review adoption or orphan documents. This article is educational, not advice for your individual circumstances.
Learn more
- Child visa 101/802 — detail
- Pathways to Australian permanent residence — the big picture
The child–adoption–orphan visa group opens a direct PR pathway for a child, but the dependency conditions and documents are strict. Confirm the definitions on the official source and consider professional advice for complex circumstances.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check the official source.