Dependency Review
Check whether the child meets the dependent child requirements, including financial dependency where this applies to an adult child.
Temporary Child Visa · Subclass 445
Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445
The Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445 is a temporary visa for an eligible child whose parent holds a temporary or provisional Partner visa and is waiting for a decision on their permanent Partner visa.
It allows the child to be included in the parent’s Partner visa pathway while the permanent visa is being processed.
Pathway position
The child must still meet the dependent child requirements when Home Affairs makes a decision on the application.
How Think Higher Consultants Can Help
Application Support Across the Child and Partner Visa Pathway
Partner Visa Check
Review the parent’s temporary and permanent Partner visa status before the child’s application is lodged.
Sponsor Review
Confirm who should sponsor the child and identify any potential sponsorship issues.
Timing Assessment
Review the timing of the child’s application and the parent’s permanent Partner visa to help keep both stages properly coordinated.
Application Support
Assist with Form 918, supporting documents and the paper application process.
Permanent Visa Linkage
After the temporary visa is granted, assist with adding the child to the parent’s permanent Partner visa application.
Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445
Overview
| Area | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Temporary visa for an eligible child in a Partner visa pathway |
| Parent visa position | Parent holds a temporary or provisional Partner visa and is waiting for a decision on the permanent Partner visa |
| Who may use this pathway | Dependent child of a parent holding Subclass 309 or Subclass 820 |
| Application method | Paper-based initially using Form 918 |
| After grant | Add the child to the permanent Partner visa application using Form 1002 before that application is decided |
| Medicare | Available after the temporary visa is granted and the application to add the child to the permanent Partner visa has been submitted |
Eligible Parent Visa Pathway
This pathway may be suitable for a dependent child whose parent holds one of the following visas:
- Partner (Provisional) Visa Subclass 309
- Partner Visa Subclass 820
- Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445
The child must still meet the dependent child requirements when Home Affairs makes a decision on the application.
Citizenship by Descent Should Also Be Checked
Before applying, it is also important to check whether the child may qualify for Australian citizenship by descent.
A child born outside Australia may be eligible if one of their parents was an Australian citizen at the time of birth.
Can the Child Still Be Considered Dependent?
Dependency Requirements
Turning 18 does not automatically mean the child is no longer eligible for this pathway.
A child may qualify if they are:
- Under 18
- 18 or older and still meet the relevant dependency requirements
For an adult child, this may mean showing that they rely heavily on the parent for basic needs such as food, accommodation and clothing.
An adult child may also qualify in some cases if they are unable to work because of a physical or mental condition.
Useful Supporting Material
Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence can include:
- Bank transfers
- Financial records
- Accommodation support
- Rent payments
- Evidence showing how long dependency has continued
- Medical evidence where incapacity for work is relied upon
Adult Dependency Should Be Reviewed Carefully
For an adult applicant, dependency should be reviewed carefully before lodgement rather than assumed from the parent-child relationship alone.
Why Timing Matters
How the Pathway Usually Progresses
Timing is one of the most important parts of the Dependent Child Visa 445 pathway.
Parent holds Subclass 309 or 820
Child applies using Form 918
Temporary visa is granted
Child is added to the permanent Partner visa application
Home Affairs decides the parent’s Subclass 100 or 801 application
After grant
After grant, the child must be added to the permanent Partner visa application using Form 1002 before Home Affairs decides that application.
If the permanent Partner visa is decided first, the intended child pathway can be affected.
Sponsorship Position
The child is normally sponsored by the same person who sponsored or nominated the visa-holding parent.
The sponsorship needs to remain valid when the child’s application is decided.
For applicants under 18, additional child-protection requirements can also apply to the sponsor.
Special provisions can apply in limited circumstances where the original Partner sponsor is no longer available, so sponsorship should not be changed without first checking the applicable rules.
Application Location and Onshore Position
This visa can be applied for while the child is inside or outside Australia, subject to the applicable requirements.
If the child is applying from Australia, their current visa should be checked first. Home Affairs specifically notes that an onshore applicant cannot hold another visa with a No Further Stay condition that prevents the application.
If Applying in Australia
A valid onshore application can also result in bridging visa arrangements if the child’s existing visa expires before the application is decided.
The actual bridging visa and its work or travel conditions should be checked individually.
Permanent Visa Linkage
This is the step that should not be overlooked. The child does not become a permanent resident simply because the temporary visa has been granted.
They must then be added to the parent’s permanent Partner visa application.
Parent Moving to Subclass 100
For the permanent Subclass 100 pathway, the child can be inside or outside Australia when added, provided the applicable family-unit requirements are met.
Parent Moving to Subclass 801
For the permanent Subclass 801 pathway, the child must be in Australia when being added to the application.
When Medicare Becomes Available
Home Affairs states that the child can enrol in Medicare after:
- The temporary visa has been granted, and
- The application to add the child to the parent’s permanent Partner visa has been submitted.
Cost and Processing
Visa Cost
Under charges applying from 1 July 2026:| Charge | Current Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 4,040 |
| Additional applicant aged 18+ | AUD 2,020 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 1,015 |
| Second instalment | Nil |
Lower charges can apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants from 1 July 2026.
Government charges can change and should be checked before lodging.
Application and Forms
Key Forms and Lodgement Position
Form 918
The application currently uses Form 918 – Application for a subclass 445 (temporary) visa by a dependent child.
The initial application remains paper-based.
ImmiAccount
Eligible paper applications can be imported into ImmiAccount after lodgement. This service has been available since 23 July 2025.
Form 1002
After grant, Form 1002 is used to add the child to the parent’s permanent Partner visa application before that application is decided.
Documents to Prepare
Supporting Material to Gather
Passport & ID
Birth Certificate
Parent Relationship
Parent Visa Evidence
Sponsor Evidence
Dependency Evidence
Financial Records
Medical Evidence
Parental Consent
Court Orders
Health Checks
Police Certificates
Form 918
Form 1229
Form 1002
Not every document applies to every applicant. Evidence of financial or medical dependency becomes particularly important for an adult dependent child.
While Holding the Visa
What the Child Can Do
The child can:
- Live in Australia temporarily
- Work in Australia
- Study in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia while the visa remains valid
- Access eligible Adult Migrant English Program classes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About the Application
Can siblings apply together?
Each sibling generally needs to make their own application. A child applicant may, however, be able to include their own dependent children where the requirements are met.
What if the original Partner sponsor has died?
Special sponsorship provisions can apply in certain circumstances. The parent and child’s Partner visa history should be reviewed before deciding how the child should proceed.
Does this visa require an Assurance of Support?
The current criteria do not contain a general Assurance of Support requirement.
Get Help With the Child Visa Pathway
Review the Child’s Position Before Lodgement
Think Higher Consultants can review how the child’s circumstances fit within the parent’s Partner visa pathway and assist with the Dependent Child Visa Subclass 445 process from application through to permanent visa linkage.
Book a consultation with Think Higher Consultants to review the child’s pathway.
Dependency reviewPartner visa checkSponsor reviewTiming assessmentForm 918 supportForm 1002 linkage