Partner visa family pathway
Dependent Child Visa Australia (Subclass 445)
The Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445) is a temporary visa for an eligible dependent child whose parent is progressing through Australia's Partner Visa process.
It is not a stand-alone permanent child visa. Its purpose is to connect the child to the parent's temporary or provisional Partner Visa pathway and, if the requirements continue to be met, allow the child to be considered at the permanent Partner Visa stage.
- Temporary visaAllows an eligible child to travel to, enter or remain in Australia while the parent's permanent Partner Visa is still being decided.
- Partner-linkedMost commonly used where the parent holds a temporary Subclass 820 or provisional Subclass 309 Partner Visa.
- Same sponsorThe child is generally sponsored by the same person who sponsored the parent's Partner Visa.
- Critical next stepAfter Subclass 445 grant, Form 1002 must be lodged before the parent's permanent Partner Visa is decided.
Stage 1
When Is a Subclass 445 Visa Usually Needed?
Subclass 445 is designed for a specific situation in the Partner Visa process. It is commonly relevant where a child was not included as a migrating applicant before the parent's temporary or provisional Partner Visa was granted and the parent's permanent Partner Visa has not yet been decided.
Parent Is Already on the Partner Pathway
The parent commonly holds a Partner (Provisional) Subclass 309 or Partner (Temporary) Subclass 820 visa while waiting for the permanent Subclass 100 or 801 stage.
Child Needs to Join the Process
The child must independently satisfy the Subclass 445 requirements rather than simply being added automatically because the parent has a Partner Visa.
Permanent Partner Visa Is Still Pending
Timing is critical. Subclass 445 cannot perform its intended role once the parent's permanent Partner Visa application has already been decided or withdrawn.
309 → 100 Family Pathway
Parent holds Subclass 309 → child obtains Subclass 445 → Form 1002 is lodged → child is considered in connection with the parent's Subclass 100 stage.
820 → 801 Family Pathway
Parent holds Subclass 820 → child obtains Subclass 445 → Form 1002 is lodged → child is considered in connection with the parent's Subclass 801 stage.
Stage 2
Check Whether the Child Meets the Dependency Rules
The child must satisfy the migration definition of a dependent child. Age alone does not answer the question, particularly once the child is 18 or older.
Under 18
A child under 18 may qualify where the required parent-child or stepchild relationship is established and the other visa requirements, including parental responsibility, are met.
18 or Older
An adult child generally needs to show they are wholly or substantially reliant on the visa-holding parent for financial support for basic needs, and that this reliance has existed for a substantial period immediately before application.
Incapacity for Work
A child of any age may be treated as dependent where they are incapacitated for work because of total or partial loss of bodily or mental functions, subject to the applicable migration requirements.
Marriage or De Facto Relationship
A child is not considered dependent if they are married, in a de facto relationship or engaged to be married.
Stepchildren
Stepchildren can be relevant, but the legal relationship and responsibility for the child must fit the migration definition. The facts should be checked carefully rather than assumed.
Child's Own Dependants
If the Subclass 445 applicant has an eligible dependent child of their own, that dependant may potentially be included in the application, subject to the applicable requirements.
Stage 3
Check the Parent and Sponsor Connection
Subclass 445 is tightly linked to the parent's existing Partner Visa pathway. The child's application should clearly establish both the relationship to the visa-holding parent and the connection to the existing sponsor.
Eligible Visa-Holding Parent
The child must be the dependent child of a parent holding an eligible temporary or provisional Partner-related visa, or another visa specifically permitted by the Subclass 445 rules.
Same Partner Visa Sponsor
The child is generally sponsored by the same person who sponsored the parent for the temporary or provisional Partner Visa. Home Affairs notes that in some circumstances the child's parent may be eligible to sponsor.
Sponsor Character Checks
Where a child is under 18, sponsorship assessment includes child-protection considerations. Updated police certificates may be requested where earlier certificates are no longer current.
Stage 4
Address Custody and Parental Responsibility Early
For an applicant under 18, a strong visa application must deal with who has the legal right to decide where the child lives. This should not be left until the Department asks for clarification.
Consent of the Other Parent
If another parent or person has a legal right to determine where the child lives, permission for the child to migrate may be required.
Form 1229 or Declaration
Home Affairs identifies Form 1229 or an appropriate statutory declaration as possible evidence of consent where another person has the relevant legal responsibility.
Court Orders
Where consent is not the basis relied upon, relevant court orders or other legal documents may need to establish that the migrating parent has the necessary legal authority.
Stage 5
Prepare and Lodge the Subclass 445 Application
Subclass 445 uses Home Affairs Form 918. The application is more than a form-filling exercise: the evidence must establish dependency, the relationship to the parent, the sponsor connection and any parental responsibility issues.
Complete Form 918
Provide the child's details, visa history, family information and residential address, and ensure the sponsor completes the relevant sponsorship sections.
Prepare Supporting Evidence
Include identity and relationship records, dependency evidence where required, custody or consent documents, and any other documents relevant to the child's circumstances.
Lodge Correctly
Form 918 is currently lodged as a paper application with the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in accordance with the current Home Affairs form instructions.
Residential Address Is Essential
Form 918 states that the applicant must provide the address where they intend to live while the application is processed. A post office box is not accepted as the residential address.
Check the Current Visa Charge
Visa application charges can change. Confirm the current Subclass 445 charge immediately before payment rather than relying on an older published amount.
Keep a Complete Copy
Retain the lodged form, supporting documents, payment evidence and delivery records. These can be important later when the child progresses to the permanent stage.
Stage 6
What Does the Subclass 445 Visa Allow?
If granted, the visa allows the child to travel to, enter or remain in Australia while the parent's permanent Partner Visa application is still being processed.
Stay With the Family
The visa can allow the child to live in Australia with the visa-holding parent while the family progresses through the permanent Partner Visa stage.
Temporary, Not Permanent
Subclass 445 itself does not grant permanent residence. Its status is linked to the parent's unresolved permanent Partner Visa application.
Do Not Miss the Next Step
The grant of Subclass 445 does not automatically add the child to the parent's permanent Partner Visa. A separate Form 1002 request is required.
Important: Home Affairs Form 918 states that the Subclass 445 visa ceases to be in effect when the parent's permanent Partner Visa application is decided or withdrawn. This makes the timing of the next stage particularly important.
Stage 7
The Critical Permanent Partner Visa Stage — Form 1002
After the Subclass 445 visa is granted, the child must make a separate request using Form 1002 to be added to the parent's permanent Partner Visa application. Home Affairs expressly warns that this must happen before the parent's permanent visa application is decided.
Form 1002 Is Separate
Obtaining Subclass 445 is not enough. Form 1002 is the mechanism used by the Subclass 445 holder to request inclusion in the parent's permanent Partner Visa stage.
Do It Before the Parent's Decision
Home Affairs warns that failure to submit Form 1002 in time may result in the child becoming unlawful and/or having no other permanent visa option available in the circumstances.
Upload to the Parent's Partner Application
The current Form 1002 instructions allow the completed request to be uploaded to the parent's Partner Visa application in ImmiAccount, with alternative lodgement methods available where necessary.
Parent Progressing from 309 to 100
A Subclass 445 holder can be in or outside Australia when being added to the parent's permanent Subclass 100 Partner Visa application.
Parent Progressing from 820 to 801
The Subclass 445 holder must be in Australia to be added to the parent's permanent Subclass 801 Partner Visa application.
Stage 8
Documents, Health, Character and Common Risks
The strongest applications anticipate the issues that commonly produce requests for further information or create timing problems.
Identity & Relationship Evidence
Birth certificates, passports, family records and other civil documents should clearly establish the child-parent relationship and be consistent with the parent's Partner Visa records.
Health & Character
The child must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements. Further health examinations or updated checks can be requested even where earlier assessments have already occurred.
Translations & Certification
Documents not in English should be accompanied by appropriate English translations, and documents should be certified where the current application instructions require certified copies.
Waiting Too Long to Apply
If the parent's permanent Partner Visa decision is approaching, delay can remove the intended Subclass 445 pathway. Timing should be assessed before lodging.
Weak Adult-Dependency Evidence
For a child aged 18 or older, simply stating that the parent provides support is usually not enough. The application should address the actual financial dependency test with evidence.
Unresolved Custody Issues
For a child under 18, unclear parental responsibility, missing consent or inconsistent court documents can materially affect the application.
Official Subclass 445 Page
Check the current Home Affairs visa requirements and application information.
Form 918
Current application form and instructions for the Subclass 445 temporary visa.
Form 1002
Request for a Subclass 445 holder to be added to the parent's permanent Partner Visa application.
Stage 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question to expand the answer.
What is the Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445?
It is a temporary visa for an eligible dependent child whose parent is progressing through an eligible temporary or provisional Partner Visa pathway. It can allow the child to join the family in Australia while the parent's permanent Partner Visa is still pending.
Is Subclass 445 a permanent visa?
No. Subclass 445 is temporary. The child must later take the separate permanent-stage step by lodging Form 1002 before the parent's permanent Partner Visa application is decided.
Can a child aged 18 or older qualify?
Potentially. An adult child generally needs to satisfy the applicable dependency definition, including evidence of substantial financial reliance on the visa-holding parent, unless another part of the dependent-child definition applies.
Can a married or engaged child qualify as a dependent child?
Home Affairs Form 918 states that a child of any age is not considered dependent if they are married, in a de facto relationship or engaged to be married.
Who sponsors the child?
The child is generally sponsored by the same person who sponsored the parent for the parent's temporary or provisional Partner Visa. In some circumstances the child's parent may be eligible to sponsor.
What if the child is under 18 and the other parent does not migrate?
Parental responsibility must be addressed. Consent, Form 1229, statutory declarations, court orders or other legal documents may be relevant depending on who has the legal right to determine where the child lives.
What is Form 1002 and why is it so important?
Form 1002 is the separate request used after Subclass 445 grant to add the child to the parent's permanent Partner Visa application. It must be submitted before the parent's permanent Partner Visa is decided.
Where must the child be for the permanent Partner Visa stage?
For a parent's Subclass 100 pathway, the Subclass 445 holder can be in or outside Australia when being added. For a parent's Subclass 801 pathway, the Subclass 445 holder must be in Australia.
Next step
Get the Timing Right Before the Permanent Partner Visa Decision
Subclass 445 matters can become difficult when dependency, custody or the parent's permanent Partner Visa timing is not checked early. A consultation can identify the correct sequence and supporting evidence before an important deadline is missed.
