When applying for a Child Visa (subclass 101) or Orphan Relative (subclass 117), the applicant must be outside Australia at both the time of application and grant.

When applying for a Child Visa (subclass 802) or Orphan Relative (subclass 837), the applicant must be inside Australia at both the time of application and grant.

For a Dependent Child Visa (subclass 445), the applicant can be in or outside Australia at the time of application. If in Australia at the application time, they must also be in Australia at the time of grant. If outside Australia at the application time, they must be outside Australia at the time of grant.

Except for Subclass 445, all the above visas are permanent and available to children or step-children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The Dependent Child Visa (subclass 445) is temporary and available to children or step-children of temporary partner visa holders (subclass 309 or 820). The Dependent Child Visa holder then transitions to a permanent partner visa (subclass 100 or 801) concurrently with their parent.

An orphan relative visa is for children unable to be cared for by their parents due to them being missing, deceased, or permanently incapacitated.

An adoption visa must be applied for outside Australia and requires adoption involvement from an Australian state or territory authority under the laws of a country other than Australia. The sponsor or sponsor’s partner must have lived outside Australia for the 12 months before the child applies for the visa.