Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
Visa Cost
AUD 3,235
2025-26 financial year (from 2025-07-01) primary applicant base VAC (excluding the roughly 1.4% card fee). This is a temporary visa used to add dependent children while a parent's partner visa (309/100 or 820/801) is being processed. Accompanying/additional applicants are charged extra. Important: after the 445 is granted, using Form 1002 to be included in the parent's permanent partner visa (100 or 801) requires no further visa fee.
Processing Time
About 6-15 months (varies with the parent's partner visa progress and the case; usually tied to the parent's permanent residence processing)
Eligibility
- The applicant is the dependent child of a parent who has lodged or holds a partner visa (temporary 309 or 820)
- The parent is applying for or holds a partner visa (temporary stage, not yet permanent), and the applicant is included on this basis
- Biological, adopted or stepchildren are all eligible, and must be a dependant of the partner visa parent
- Under 18; or 18 and over financially dependent on the parent (such as in full-time study); or unable to be self-supporting due to disability
- Unmarried (not married, not engaged, with no de facto/cohabiting partner relationship)
- Pass the health examination and character requirements (for those of the relevant age)
- Can be lodged inside or outside Australia (depending on the child's situation with the parent)
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Temporary visa, with validity tied to the progress of the parent's partner visa, lasting until inclusion in the permanent partner visa or until the application is decided; during the visa you can live, study, work and use Medicare in Australia.
Eligible Dependants
The primary applicant is the child; the child's own dependants (such as their children) can be included together via Form 1002.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
A temporary transitional visa. Before the parent's temporary partner visa (309 or 820) is granted and the permanent partner visa (100 or 801) is not yet granted, use Form 1002 to include the child in the parent's permanent partner application, so the child moves to permanent residence with the parent; failing to submit Form 1002 in time may lead to overstaying unlawfully.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Common Visa Conditions
Full explanations of condition codes are in the Visa Conditions Lookup
Application Steps
Confirm parent's partner visa status
Confirm parent's partner visa status
Confirm the parent has lodged or holds a temporary partner visa (309 or 820), on which basis the child is included.
- Check the status of the parent's partner visa (309 temporary or 820 temporary)
- Confirm the child meets the dependency and unmarried requirements
- Determine whether the child should lodge 445 onshore or offshore
Prepare dependency and relationship evidence
Prepare dependency and relationship evidence
Organise the parent-child relationship, dependency evidence and custody documents between child and parent.
- Notarial birth certificate (showing parents) and passport of the child
- Evidence of financial dependence (study/support records)
- If the parents are divorced, provide custody or the other parent's consent letter
Complete and lodge the 445 application
Complete and lodge the 445 application
Complete Form 918, lodge it online, and pay the VAC.
- Complete Form 918 (Application for a 445 temporary visa by a dependent child)
- Lodge online in ImmiAccount and pay AUD 3,235
- Upload all materials and NAATI translations
Complete health and character checks
Complete health and character checks
Complete the health examination, submit police clearances (for those of the relevant age) and biometrics as notified.
- Have the health examination at a panel clinic via eMedical
- Applicants aged 16 and over provide police clearances from relevant countries
- Provide biometrics as notified
Obtain 445 and reside with parent
Obtain 445 and reside with parent
Once 445 is granted, the child can reside, study and work in Australia together with the parent.
- 445 is a temporary visa granting residence, study and work rights
- Can live in Australia with the parent until the permanent-residence stage is processed
- You can usually enjoy limited healthcare and similar support
Add to parent's permanent visa via Form 1002
Add to parent's permanent visa via Form 1002
When the parent's partner visa reaches the permanent stage (100 or 801), the child is included via Form 1002 with no further visa fee.
- After the parent obtains the temporary 309/820, submit Form 1002 at its permanent stage
- Form 1002 has no visa application fee
- The child obtains permanent residence together with the parent
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application for a subclass 445 (temporary) visa by a dependent child (Form 918) | Application for a subclass 445 (temporary) visa by a dependent child (Form 918) | The official main form for a dependent child to apply for the 445 temporary visa. | Completed by the parent on behalf of the minor child; clearly link the parent's partner visa application number. | |
| Evidence of parent's partner visa (309 or 820) | Evidence of parent's partner visa (309 or 820) | Prove the parent has lodged or holds a temporary partner visa, as the basis for the child's inclusion. | Provide the parent's partner visa TRN or grant notice; 445 must attach to a valid partner application. | |
| Child's birth certificate (showing the parent) | Child's birth certificate (showing the parent) | A birth certificate showing the relationship with the partner visa parent. | The Chinese birth certificate must be notarised and NAATI-translated. | |
| Child's passport and identity documents | Child's passport and identity documents | The child's valid passport, household register and other identity documents. | Passport validity should cover the processing period; the household register must be notarised and translated. | |
| Evidence of dependency on the parent | Evidence of dependency on the parent | Prove the child is financially dependent on the partner visa parent (especially those aged 18 and over). | Enrolment evidence, parental support/remittance records, and cohabitation evidence. | |
| Custody / parental consent evidence | Custody / parental consent evidence | Where the parents are divorced or the other is not accompanying, provide custody documents or written consent. | A common sticking point for single parents migrating with children; be sure to have it ready. | |
| Evidence the child is single | Evidence the child is single | Prove the child is not married, not engaged, and has no de facto partner relationship. | Being in a partner relationship means you do not meet the dependent child requirement. | |
| Evidence of incapacity for work (if applicable) | Evidence of incapacity for work (if applicable) | An adult child unable to be self-supporting due to disability needs a medical assessment. | An assessment report issued by a qualified doctor. | |
| Adoption or step-child legal documents | Adoption or step-child legal documents | Adopted children or stepchildren must provide a lawful adoption order, parents' remarriage certificate, etc. | Overseas adoption must comply with Australian adoption law requirements. | |
| Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearances from relevant countries for children aged 16 and over. | Determine the required countries based on your residence history; the Chinese clearance must be notarised and authenticated. | |
| Health examination (eMedical) | Health examination (eMedical) | The child completes the health examination at a panel clinic, meeting health requirements. | Book after receiving the HAP ID; the results are uploaded by the clinic. | |
| Application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa (Form 1002) | Application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa (Form 1002) | After the 445 is granted, used to obtain permanent residence by inclusion when the parent reaches the permanent partner stage, with no visa fee. | This is the key step in moving from 445 to permanent residence (100/801), submitted at the parent's permanent stage. | |
| NAATI-certified English translations | NAATI-certified English translations | All Chinese documents must have a certified English translation. | Ensure the translation matches the passport and birth certificate spelling. |
FAQ
Is the 445 visa permanent? Can the child stay indefinitely?
When do you need 445 rather than applying for a 101/802 child visa directly?
Do you have to pay the visa fee again to move from 445 to permanent residence (Form 1002)?
Can the child lodge 445 inside Australia?
Can you still apply for 445 once the child is over 18?
Common Refusal Reasons
- The parent does not hold a valid 309 or 820 temporary partner visa (the sponsor must be the same person who sponsored the parent's partner visa)
- Not meeting the dependent child definition (aged 18 or over and unable to prove full/substantial financial dependence on the parents, or dependence on others more than on the parents)
- Married or in a de facto relationship
- Granting the visa is not in the best interests of a child under 18
- Health or character (for those 16 and over) requirements not met; insufficient dependency evidence (long-term support such as board and clothing)
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.