Australian Child Visas from Thailand: Requirements and Options

The correct Australian child visa route depends on the child’s circumstances and the parent’s citizenship or visa status. A child joining a parent who is already an Australian permanent resident may need a different pathway from a child moving with a parent who is applying for a partner visa.

Before preparing an application, check the child’s age, relationship to the parent, dependency where relevant and the legal arrangements for moving overseas.

Check citizenship eligibility first

If the child was born in Thailand and a parent was an Australian citizen at the time of birth, check whether the child qualifies for Australian citizenship by descent.

Eligibility is subject to the citizenship requirements; it should not be assumed from parentage alone. Establishing the correct citizenship route before paying for a migration visa can avoid preparing the wrong application.

Check Australian citizenship by descent requirements.

Child visa subclass 101

The subclass 101 is a permanent visa pathway for an eligible child outside Australia to live with their parent in Australia. The parent’s qualifying status, the relationship and the child’s circumstances must meet the requirements.

Age and dependency rules require particular attention for adult children. For example, the rules for a full-time student aged over 18 and under 25 differ from those for a younger child. Disability-related provisions may also be relevant.

Check the complete eligibility and location requirements before applying, especially where the child is approaching an age threshold.

Read the official subclass 101 requirements.

Children in a parent’s partner visa application

If a parent is preparing an Australian partner visa application, check whether an eligible dependent child can be included in that application.

Tell the person preparing the application about all children at the outset, including children who are not currently planning to migrate. Provide accurate information about their circumstances and follow the relevant disclosure requirements.

If plans change while the application is pending, check the correct procedure before assuming that the child can simply be added.

See our Australian partner visa guide for Thai partners.

Dependent Child visa subclass 445

The subclass 445 may be relevant where a parent holds a temporary Partner visa, such as subclass 309 or 820, and the child needs a pathway to join the parent before the permanent partner stage is finalised.

It is a temporary visa. After obtaining it, the child must take the required steps to be included in the parent’s permanent partner application before that application is decided.

Home Affairs provides Form 1002 for this stage. Location requirements differ between the offshore subclass 100 and onshore subclass 801 pathways, so check the instructions that apply to the family.

Check the official subclass 445 guidance.

Parental consent and legal responsibility

For a child under 18, Home Affairs requires evidence addressing permission to migrate from those with a legal right to decide where the child lives.

Depending on the circumstances, the application may need consent documents, a court order or other evidence establishing the legal position. Form 1229 may be relevant where consent is being provided.

Living with one parent, receiving no financial support from the other parent or having little contact with them does not, by itself, explain the legal arrangements. Prepare the relevant records and have any uncertainty about parental rights checked before applying.

If a Thai parental responsibility or custody document is being used, check what it establishes rather than relying on its title alone. A translation should accurately reflect the original document.

Other child migration routes

Adoption visa subclass 102

The Adoption visa is a separate pathway with specific requirements concerning the adoption and the sponsor. An adoption recognised in Thailand does not automatically establish eligibility for an Australian visa.

Read the official Adoption visa guidance.

Orphan Relative visa subclass 117

This pathway may apply to an eligible child whose parents are deceased, permanently unable to care for them or cannot be found, and who has an eligible relative sponsor.

It is not a general route for any child whose relatives would prefer them to live in Australia.

Read the official Orphan Relative visa guidance.

Preparing the supporting documents

Use the checklist for the selected visa. Depending on the case, preparation may involve:

• The child’s passport and birth records.
• Evidence of the parent’s or sponsor’s status.
• Documents establishing the family relationship.
• Relevant marriage, divorce and name-change records.
• Consent documents and parental responsibility orders.
• Study and dependency evidence where required.
• Adoption records where applicable.

Check names, dates and spellings across the documents. Explain genuine differences and include the relevant records rather than altering an official document.

For preparation guidance, see our Australian visa document translation and certification guide.

How are child visa applications submitted?

Home Affairs currently requires child visa applications to be made using paper application forms. Follow the selected visa’s current lodgement instructions for the correct forms, payment process and submission destination.

Eligible paper applications can subsequently be imported into ImmiAccount to manage supporting information. Importing an application is different from lodging the initial application online.

Do not use old embassy postal instructions or assume the child visa follows the same submission process as a visitor visa.

Fees, checks and travel planning

Check the current government charge for the selected subclass before payment. Budget separately for translations, required checks, document preparation and professional assistance.

Follow any health, character or biometric instructions issued for the child’s application. Requirements can depend on the route and the individual case.

Keep school, accommodation and travel plans flexible while awaiting the outcome. Check the visa grant notice carefully before arranging the child’s move.

See our Australian visa costs guide for budget preparation.