Are you considering bringing an adopted child to Australia? If so, the Child Adoption Visa Australia is the suitable option for you.
This visa allows parents to bring their adopted child to Australia. However, you need to meet certain criteria and follow the appropriate procedure to do this.
You might be wondering whether you meet the requirements or not. Or what is the application process you have to go through? How long will it take to process your application?
Don’t worry. This blog will answer these questions. You’ll learn everything you need to know before you submit your application. So, let’s get started.
What is a Child Adoption Visa Australia (Subclass 102)?
The Subclass 102 Adoption Visa allows children who are adopted from outside Australia to live permanently in the country with their adoptive parents.
This visa grants permanent residency, allowing the child to stay in Australia indefinitely from the date of visa approval.
The Department of Home Affairs does not facilitate the adoption process or issue letters of “no objection.” Their responsibility is to evaluate and make decisions on visa applications.
For more information on international adoptions, you can visit Intercountry Adoptions Australia.
What are the benefits of a Child Adoption Visa in Australia?
The visa offers various benefits, which include the following:
- You can reside in Australia permanently with their adoptive parent.
- You can engage in work and educational opportunities in Australia.
- You will have access to Medicare, the public healthcare system in Australia.
- You can sponsor family members to join them in Australia.
- You can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting eligibility criteria.
Can you travel outside of Australia on a Child Adoption Visa?
Yes, you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want within five years from the date the visa is granted, as long as the travel facility remains active.
However, after passing five years, you will have to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Alternatively, you can apply for Australian citizenship. Once you become an Australian citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Australia. But you must have an Australian passport for travel.
To find out when the travel facility expires, you can use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
Can you include your siblings in your application form?
If your siblings want to apply for an Adoption Visa, each sibling must submit a separate application.
Moreover, the dependent children can be included in the application or added before a decision is made. However, they must meet health requirements. Family members who are not migrating may also need to fulfil health criteria.
What is the application fee for the Child Adoption Visa?
The fee for the main applicant is AUD 3,140. Additional charges apply for each dependent child included in the application You may have to pay additional costs related to health examinations, police checks, and biometrics.
To estimate costs more accurately, use the Visa Pricing Estimator (note that it doesn’t include additional expenses).
What is the processing time for the Child Adoption Visa?
The processing time varies and depends on several factors. It can be delayed due to the following factors:
- If the application is incomplete or contains errors.
- If additional documents or information are needed,.
- The time required to verify the provided information.
- Applications cannot be processed if you don’t pay the visa fee. I
What are the conditions of a Child Adoption Visa?
The child must enter Australia by the date specified in their grant letter, which is usually set at 12 months from when the visa is granted.
Both the child and their family members must adhere to all visa conditions and follow Australian laws.
Moreover, the child’s visa will be digitally linked to their passport; therefore, no physical label will be issued.
Important Note: Applications for adoption visas for children adopted in Pakistan are not accepted.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Child Adoption Visa Australia?
To qualify for the Subclass 102 Adoption Visa, the child must meet certain requirements of the Department of Home Affairs. These requirements include:
- Adoption requirements.
- Sponsorship requirements.
- Age requirements.
- Health and character requirements.
- Financial obligations
- Best interest of the child
Look below for the details.
1. Adoption requirements
You must meet one of the following conditions to apply for the child adoption visa:
Intercountry Adoption with Australian Involvement
The child has been or is in the process of being adopted through an intercountry adoption or arrangement involving an Australian state or territory central authority.
Hague Convention Adoption
The child has been or is in the process of being adopted between two countries (excluding Australia) that are part of the Hague Adoption Convention.
If a child is adopted under the Hague Adoption Convention or through a recognised bilateral agreement, they may qualify for Australian citizenship. After they get citizenship, they can travel to and from Australia with an Australian passport and do not need a visa.
Expatriate Adoption
The child has been adopted overseas by an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident who has lived outside Australia for more than 12 months before applying.
The Australian Government does not participate in the expatriate adoption process overseas and does not issue letters of support or certificates of no objection. The Department of Home Affairs only evaluates and decides visa applications.
You must follow these requirements to apply for the expatriate adoptions:
- You must have at least one adoptive parent who has lived outside Australia for more than 12 months before applying.
- The adoptive parent must not have moved overseas to avoid Australia’s intercountry adoption laws.
- The adoptive parent must have full and permanent parental rights, with no legal ties remaining between the child and their birth parents.
- The adoption must comply with the laws of the country where it took place.
It is recommended to seek legal advice in both Australia and the country where the child lives before proceeding with an expatriate adoption.
2. Sponsorship requirements
The child must be sponsored by their adoptive or prospective adoptive parent. Sponsorship approval is required. However, if the sponsor or their partner has been charged with or involved in child-related abuse, the application may be rejected.
3. Age requirements
The child must be under 18 years old at the time of adoption, when the application is submitted or when the department makes a decision.
4. Health and character requirements
The child and any dependent children included in the application must meet health standards. However, under certain circumstances, a health waiver may be required.
If the child is 16 years of age or older, they must meet character requirements. To demonstrate it, they have to submit a police clearance certificate.
5. Financial requirements
You must have paid any debts owed to the Australian Government or have formal repayment arrangements in place before applying for this visa.
6. Best interests of the child
The visa may not be granted if the Department thinks that the visa approval or grant would not serve the best interests of a child under 18 years old.
How to Apply for a Child Adoption Visa Australia (Subclass 102)?
The first step is to check whether your child meets the eligibility criteria. Make sure the child has a valid passport before starting the application process.
Moreover, to apply for a child adoption visa in Australia, you must meet the following requirements:
Step 1: Gather and organise the documents
It is important to gather and organise all the required documents. These documents include:
- Identity documents
- Adoption documents
- Character documents
- Dependent children documents
- Travel documents
- Medical examination
Prepare these documents and translate them into English.
Step 2: Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa using a paper application. You have to fulfil these forms:
Send your completed forms by post or courier to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth. Ensure you have paid the application fee before sending your application. Because if you do not pay the required fee, the department will not process it.
Make sure not to send original documents. Send only certified copies. Keep a copy of your entire application and all supporting documents for your records.
If any part of your application is incomplete, it may be considered invalid. And the department will not notify you.
Mail Address
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Locked Bag 7
NORTHBRIDGE WA 6865
Courier Address
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Wellington Central
836 Wellington Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Step 3: What you need to do after applying
Upon receiving your application, the department will inform you. You may have to follow some additional steps after submitting your application.
The department will not provide updates on your application status during global processing times. But they will contact you if they need more information. Here are things that you may need to do after submitting your application:
- Do not arrange for the child to travel to Australia until the department confirms that the visa has been granted.
- The Department will let you know when it’s time to arrange health examinations for the child.
- The Department may request biometrics from your adopted child if needed.
Note: If you find mistakes on your application, inform the department right away by completing Form 1023 (Notification of Incorrect Answers).
Step 4: Wait for the visa outcome
If your application is successful, the Department will notify you about the visa grant. You will be provided with the following information:
- The visa grant number.
- The start and expiry dates of the visa.
- Any conditions attached to the visa.
However, if the application is not successful, you will be informed about the reason for the refusal and whether you have the right to appeal.
Note: If your application is refused, the application fee will not be refunded.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, a child adoption visa Australia allows the parents to bring their adopted children to Australia. This blog has covered the eligibility criteria, application process, processing time and visa cost of this visa. By following these steps and guidelines, you can bring your adopted children to Australia successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring an adopted child to Australia?
Yes, you can bring an adopted child to Australia. To do this, you need to apply for an Adoption Visa (Subclass 102). The child must be under 18 years old and meet specific eligibility requirements to apply for this visa.
Moreover, the child must be legally adopted through recognised processes. You will also need to provide various documents related to the adoption and the child’s identity.
How much does it cost to adopt a child in Australia?
The cost of adopting a child in Australia varies depending on the state or territory and the type of adoption (local or intercountry). Generally, fees can include application fees, assessment fees, and other related costs.
For example, in South Australia, the total cost for adopting a local child can exceed AUD 3,000 when combining all fees throughout the process.
What is the oldest age you can adopt a child in Australia?
In Australia, there is no specific maximum age limit for adopting a child. However, prospective adoptive parents must be at least 18 years old. Moreover, they must be at least 18 years older than the child they wish to adopt.
Each state or territory may have its own guidelines regarding age requirements for both adoptive parents and children.
Do I need to be in Australia to apply for this visa?
No, you don’t need to be in Australia to apply for this visa. However, the child must be outside Australia both at the time the application is submitted and when the visa is approved.
What happens if the child turns 18 during the application process?
If the child turns 18 while the application is being processed, it could impact the application. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from immigration professionals in these situations.
I, Samavia Shahid, am a researcher and content writer at The Migration. I create easy-to-understand and informative content for people who want to move to Australia. My goal is to make the migration process simpler and less stressful for everyone.