Sana is an Australian permanent resident living in Sydney. Her son Omar is 19, holds a student visa and studies full-time at university. Sana pays his rent, fees and most of his living costs, and she wants him to stay in Australia permanently with the family. Her question is whether Omar still counts as her dependent child now that he is over 18. This guide explains who qualifies as a dependent child for the Child visa (Subclass 802), what each age group needs to show, and what evidence helps.
Who counts as a dependent child for the 802 visa?
The Subclass 802 is a permanent visa for a child who is already in Australia and wants to stay with a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The child must be single and must be in Australia both when the application is lodged and when it is decided. They must also fit one of three groups: under 18, aged 18 to under 25 and studying full-time while financially dependent on the parent, or 18 or older, unable to work because of a disability and financially dependent on the parent.
The three age groups and what each must show
Children under 18 do not need to prove study or financial dependency in the same way. The main questions are the parent-child relationship, custody and the child’s welfare. Home Affairs will only grant the visa to a child under 18 if everyone who can legally decide where the child lives has given written consent, or another legal basis applies, such as an Australian child order.
Children aged 18 to under 25 must be enrolled full-time in a course of study and must be financially dependent on the parent. The course should lead to a professional, trade or vocational qualification. Home Affairs also expects the child to have started study after turning 18, or within about six months (or another reasonable time) of finishing school. Full-time enrolment needs to be in place both when you apply and when the visa is decided.
Children 18 or older with a disability must be unable to work because of a total or partial loss of bodily or mental function, and must rely on the parent for support. Evidence usually comes from a medical practitioner.
For every group, the child cannot be married, in a de facto relationship or engaged.
Who can sponsor the child?
The sponsor is usually the child’s parent. In some cases, the parent’s partner can sponsor instead. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and Home Affairs must approve the sponsorship.
The sponsor agrees to provide accommodation and financial support for the child during their first two years in Australia. The relationship can be biological or, in some situations, adoptive or step. An adopted child can generally use the 802 visa only if the adoption happened before age 18 and the adopting parent was not yet an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time. Otherwise, the Adoption visa (Subclass 102) may apply.
Where eligibility often becomes unclear
Most questions arise with children over 18. A child may work part-time and wonder whether that ends their dependency. Another may have taken a long break between school and study. Some families assume that living at home is enough, when Home Affairs looks for evidence that the parent meets most of the child’s basic needs, such as food, housing and clothing. Changes before the decision, such as leaving a course or moving in with a partner, can also affect eligibility.
For example (illustrative only, not a real case): Aisha is 20 and studies full-time at TAFE in Melbourne. She works a few hours a week, and her father pays her rent, course fees and most living costs. The family gathers her enrolment letter, bank transfers and household bills. Together, this evidence shows both full-time study and financial dependency.
If your child is over 18 and you are unsure whether they still qualify, The Migration’s team can look at their situation and explain the options. Book a consultation.
How to prepare a strong dependency case
A child visa is a significant step for the whole family, and a clear, well-organised application helps Home Affairs understand your situation. Start by confirming which of the three groups your child falls into on the day you plan to lodge.
For a child under 18, gather birth certificates, custody orders or court documents, and written consent from any other parent who has a legal say in where the child lives.
For a full-time student aged 18 to under 25, collect a current enrolment letter that confirms full-time status, along with evidence of when study started. Add financial records that show you cover most of their basic needs, such as bank transfers, rent receipts, fee payments and bills in your name.
Expert Australian Migration Guidance
Navigating the complexities of your visa journey is easier with professionals. Start your Australian dream today.
Book ConsultationFor a child with a disability, obtain a detailed report from a medical practitioner and evidence of the support you provide.
Keep this evidence current. Enrolment and dependency still need to be in place when the decision is made, so update Home Affairs if anything changes during processing.
The Migration team helps onshore families prepare child visa applications and supporting evidence. Talk to the team about your child’s visa.
Eligibility at a glance
This table summarises the three dependent child groups for the Subclass 802 visa.
| Group | Main requirement | Common evidence |
| Under 18 | Parent-child relationship, custody consent and the child’s best interests | Birth certificate, custody orders, written consent |
| 18 to under 25 | Full-time study and financial dependency on the parent | Enrolment letter, study start date, bank transfers, bills |
| 18 or older with a disability | Unable to work due to disability and financially dependent | Medical practitioner report, evidence of support |
| All groups | Single, in Australia at application and decision, eligible sponsor | Identity documents, sponsor’s status evidence |
Other requirements to plan for
The child and any of their own dependent children included in the application must meet the health requirement. Applicants aged 16 or older must also meet the character requirement, which usually means providing police certificates.
Check the child’s current visa conditions. If the child holds a visa with a no further stay condition (8503), they cannot apply for an 802 visa in Australia unless that condition is waived first. The child should also remain in Australia when the decision is made, so tell Home Affairs before any overseas travel.
If the child’s parent holds a temporary partner visa rather than a permanent one, the Dependent Child visa (Subclass 445) may be the relevant option instead. Siblings each need their own application. The base application charge is set by Home Affairs and usually changes each July, so confirm the current amount on the Home Affairs website before lodging.
