Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)

What is the Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)?

The Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) is a temporary visa used in a specific situation:

• A parent is already in Australia’s partner visa program (temporary stage granted), and

• the parent’s permanent partner stage has not been decided yet, and

• the family needs a pathway for an eligible child to enter, stay, or remain in Australia during that period.

Think of it as a bridging pathway for the child while the parent’s permanent partner decision is pending. It is not the child’s final permanent visa on its own.

Who can apply?

A child can generally apply if they are:

• the dependent child of a parent who holds a qualifying temporary partner-stage visa, and

• sponsored by the same sponsor who sponsored the parent in the partner visa process, and

• able to meet health and character requirements (as applicable).

What “dependent child” usually means

For most cases:

• Under 18: dependency is usually straightforward, but custody/consent evidence can be critical.

• 18 or older: dependency becomes evidence-heavy. You must show the child is genuinely dependent on the parent (financially and/or due to other qualifying reasons), and the evidence must align with the child’s real circumstances over time.

The sponsor rule that catches people out

Subclass 445 is strict about sponsorship. In most cases:

• the sponsor must be the same person who sponsored the parent in the partner visa pathway.

If sponsorship does not align, applications can be refused or delayed.

Timing is everything (the rule families miss)

Subclass 445 exists only while the parent’s permanent partner stage is still undecided.

That means:

• if the parent’s permanent partner stage is decided (granted or refused), or

• if the parent’s permanent partner application is withdrawn,

then the 445 pathway may no longer be available in the way families expect.

Practical takeaway: don’t leave this until you think a decision is “still far away”. Partner visa decisions can move quickly after requests for information.

Where must the child be when the visa is granted?

As a planning rule, location at grant matters:

• If the application is lodged while the child is outside Australia, the child is usually expected to be outside Australia at the time of grant.

• If the application is lodged while the child is in Australia, the child is usually expected to be in Australia at the time of grant.

This impacts travel plans and should be treated as a hard constraint.

What can the child do on a 445 visa?

Subclass 445 is designed to allow a child to live with the parent during processing. In many cases, the child can:

• reside in Australia, and

• study (subject to conditions and schooling rules by state/territory), and

• in limited cases work depending on age and visa conditions.

Always confirm the specific visa conditions after grant (conditions can differ).

The next step after grant (critical)

Many families assume the 445 automatically turns into permanent residence later. It doesn’t.

After a 445 is granted, the child must be properly linked to the parent’s permanent partner stage at the right time and in the correct way, so the Department can consider the child for the permanent outcome when it assesses the parent’s permanent partner stage.

If you miss this step, the child can be left without a clean pathway at the time the parent’s permanent stage is decided.

Evidence checklist (decision-ready)

A strong subclass 445 application is organised, consistent, and easy to assess. Typical evidence includes:

1) Identity and parent–child relationship

• passport and identity documents

• birth certificate (and/or adoption papers)

• evidence showing the relationship to the parent

2) Custody and consent (where relevant)

• evidence of sole custody, or

• consent documents from any person with legal parental responsibility

• court orders if applicable

3) Dependency evidence (especially for 18+)

For older children, you should prepare a clear dependency pack such as:

• proof of financial support for essentials over time

• living arrangements evidence (who supports housing and daily expenses)

• education enrolment and records if studying

• medical evidence if dependency is linked to health/disability

• explanation of any employment history (or reasons the child is not working)

4) Sponsor alignment

• evidence confirming the sponsor is the same sponsor connected to the parent’s partner pathway

5) Health and character (as required)

• health examinations if requested

• police checks where required (often relevant for older applicants)

Common reasons for refusal or delay

1. Late timing — the parent’s permanent stage progresses before the child’s pathway is properly set

2. Sponsor mismatch — sponsor is not correctly aligned with the parent’s partner pathway

3. Weak dependency evidence for children aged 18+ (child appears independent)

4. Inconsistencies in timelines (schooling, residence, support history)

5. Custody/consent gaps — missing legal permission evidence

6. Poor documentation — unreadable scans, missing translations, incomplete forms

FAQs

Is the 445 a permanent visa?

No. It is temporary and designed to cover the period while the parent’s permanent partner stage is undecided.

Can my child apply if I already hold a temporary partner visa?

Yes, in the right circumstances. Subclass 445 exists specifically for dependent children of parents in the partner visa program where the permanent stage is not yet decided.

What is the biggest mistake families make?

Waiting too long and not planning the child’s “next step” so the child can be considered properly when the parent’s permanent stage is assessed.

Why Migration Vision

Subclass 445 looks simple until you hit the real issues: timing, sponsor alignment, custody/consent rules, and dependency evidence (especially 18+). Migration Vision handles 445 matters as a structured pathway:

• confirm the timing window early

• build a clean dependency and custody evidence pack

• align sponsor documents with the parent’s partner file

• plan the child’s transition into the parent’s permanent stage so nothing gets missed

• H2: Why Migration Vision

The Migration Mind