Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)
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Introduction
The Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445) allows dependent children move to and stay in Australia until the Department of Homeaffairs (DHA) decides on their parent’s permanent Partner Visa.
This is a temporary visa providing an opportunity for dependent children to remain with their family during the migration process.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the key aspects of Subclass 445 and how it can help reunite families in Australia.
Benefits of the Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)
The Dependent Child visa entitles holders to:
- Move to or stay in Australia until a decision is made on their parent’s permanent Partner visa application.
- Travel to and from Australia freely (with multiple entry rights).
- Work and study in Australia unconditionally.
- Join free English language classes (Adult Migrant English Program) if eligible.
Eligibility Requirements of the Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)
To be eligible for Subclass 445, you must meet the following requirements:
General Requirements
1. Have an approved sponsor
To be eligible for Subclass 445, the child must be sponsored by the same individual who sponsored or nominated their parent’s permanent Partner visa application.
2. Age requirement
To apply for this visa, you must be under 18. If you are aged over 18, you must be financially dependent on your parent holding a temporary partner visa or dependent child visa.
3. Health and Character Requirements
All applicants must:
- Meet health requirements including medical checks and health examinations.
- Meet character requirements, generally assessed through police certificates from countries you have lived in.
Dependency & Travel Requirements
1. Dependency Requirement
You must be dependent on a parent holding an offshore partner visa (subclass 309), onshore partner visa (subclass 820) or a dependent child visa (subclass 445).
The child must apply to be included in their parent’s permanent Partner visa application once Subclass 445 visa is granted.
If the child was born offshore or one of their parents enjoys the Australian citizenship upon the child’s birth, they may be eligible for the Australian citizenship by descent.
2. Have a Consent to Travel to Australia
If the child is under 18, the visa is granted only if:
- The child has obtained a written consent from the individual legally authorized to decide where they live, or
- The domestic laws of the eligible child’s home country permit them to travel overseas from their home country.
Sponsorship Requirements
1. Sponsor’s Obligations
As an approved sponsor of the child, you must:
- Provide assistance with accommodation and financial support, as needed, for the first two years of their stay in Australia.
- Ensure the child’s compliance with their visa conditions and work place regulations if the child works in the Australian market.
2. Sponsor’s Character Requirement
Sponsors must meet character requirements, including providing police certificates for any country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
The sponsorship may be refused if the sponsor has a criminal record, particularly for offences involving children or family violence.
Required Documents
To apply for the Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445), you are required to provide a complete portfolio of the documents listed below:
1) Applicant’s Documents
A) Identity Documents
- Child’s current passport showing their personal information and photo, including issue and expiry dates
- National ID card (if exists)
- Proof of name change from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
B) Character Documents
Applicants aged 16 and older must provide:
- A police certificate for each country they have resided in for 12 months or more during the last 10 years.
- Completed Form 80 for character assessment
C) Evidence of Child’s Relationship to the Parent
- A birth certificate
- A marriage certificate
- An adoption certificate
- An official family status certificate or family book
D) Financial Documents (Over 18 Applicants)
- Bank statements
- Evidences for money transfers
- Lease agreements
2) Sponsor’s Documents
A) Identity Documents
- Current passport
- Birth certificate showing both parents’ names
B) Residence and Citizenship Documents
- An Australian passport or Australian citizenship certificate
- If you are not an Australian citizen, evidence of Australian permanent residency
If you are a New Zealand citizen, you must provide evidence of how long you have lived in Australia and demonstrate your ongoing connection to the country.
C) Character Documents
- An Australian National Police Certificate (if you have been in Australia for any duration since turning 16)
- A police certificate from any country you spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years since you turned 16
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★★★★★ 4.9Visa Fee
- Base application charge: AUD 3,235
- Additional applicant charge 18 and over: AUD 1,615
- Additional applicant charge under 18: AUD 810
Application Processing Time
- The processing time for Subclass 445 generally ranges from 25 to 30 months.
FAQs on the Dependent Child Visa
1. Can a child apply for Subclass 445 if they are already in Australia on another visa?
Yes. A child can apply for Subclass 445 if they are already in Australia on a valid visa, as long as the visa does not have a ‘No Further Stay’ condition. If the child holds a visa with this condition, they would need to apply for the 445 visa from outside Australia.
2. Can a child apply for a 445 visa if their parent already holds a permanent Partner visa?
No. The parent must still hold a temporary Partner visa (Subclass 309 or 820). If the parent already holds the permanent Partner visa, the child should apply for a Child visa (Subclass 101 or 802) instead.
3. What happens if the parent’s Partner visa is decided before the 445 visa is granted?
If the parent becomes a permanent visa holder before the 445 decision, the 445 visa cannot be granted. The child must then apply for a Child visa instead.
4. What happens if the original sponsor dies or the parent’s relationship breaks down?
If the sponsor dies or the relationship ends, the visa-holding parent may sponsor the child instead—but only if they qualify under family-violence or shared-parental-responsibility provisions.
5. Can a 445 visa holder apply for a permanent visa later?
Yes. Once included in their parent’s permanent Partner visa application, the child is assessed for permanent residence along with the parent.
