What is the Dependent Child (subclass 445) Visa?
Dependent Child Onshore (subclass 802) Visa allows a dependent child to move to/stay in Australia while their parents permanent visa is processing.
What does the 445 visa allow you to do?
- Live in Australia temporarily until the outcome of the parents’ permanent visa
- Study/work in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you like while the child visa is valid
If the child works, they are protected by Australian workplace law. See their workplace rights and entitlements.
Am I eligible for the subclass 445 visa?
- Be a dependent child of a visa holding parent
- Be sponsored/nominated by the person who is sponsoring their parent
- Be under 18 or if over 18 financially dependent on the parent holding the temporary partner or dependant child visa
- Meet health and character requirements
- Sign the Australian values statement
- Have paid back any debt to the government
- Have written consent from all legal parties who can decide where the child lives
- The laws of the child’s home country allow the child to migrate to Australia (if not already in Australia)
- Staying in Australia must be in the best interest of the child
What visas must the parent be holding for the child to apply for a subclass 445?
- Partner (provisional) Visa (subclass 309)
- Partner visa (subclass 820)
- Dependent child (subclass 445) Visa
The child must apply to be added to the parent’s permanent partner visa application when they have been granted a 445 visa
Note: the child may be eligible for citizen by decent if one of their parents was an Australian citizen at the time of the child’s birth and therefore don’t need
Best interest of the child
The Department of Home Affairs declares the right to refuse the visa if they find it is not in the best interest of the child. Sponsorship of the child must be approved for the protection of the child
How much does the 445 visa cost?
From AUD3235（Update date：2025.07）
Additional costs: You might also have to pay other costs for each applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
How long can you stay on the 445 Visa?
This is visa is a temporary visa, until The Department of Home Affairs makes a decision regarding their parents’ visa.
How long is the 445 Visa processing time?
- 50% of applications: 19 Months
- 90% of applications: 24 Months
（Update date：2025.07）
What are the child’s obligations once the 445 visa is granted?
- The child must obey all Australian laws
- Following the grant of this visa the child must be added to the parents’ permanent residency visa
- Following the grant of this visa the child or parent (acting on the child’s behalf) must complete form 1002 “application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa” and submit online visa immiaccount or send the form to the office where the permanent partner visa of the child’s visa is being processed
- Not get married or enter a de-facto relationship before the grant of this visa
- Inform the department if anything changes. This includes changes to your relationship status, the birth of a child and any changes to personal details such as phone number, email address or passport
- Following a decision on the parent’s permanent partner visa, if granted, the child can enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme (Medicare)
Note: the 1002 form must be submitted before a decision is made on the parent’s permanent partner visa, or the child will no longer be in Australia lawfully
What are the sponsors obligations once the 445 visa is granted?
- As the sponsor and parent, you are obligated to financially support your child, you are responsible for the cost to the Australian government of the child living in Australia
- Help the child settle in Australia
- Provide adequate safe accommodation
- Abide by all Australian family law
