Applicant Eligibility

This page provides information on the eligibility requirements for this visa.

Sponsorship

A child may be considered an orphan relative if both parents are unable to look after the child because they are deceased, permanently incapacitated or of unknown whereabouts.

An orphan relative must be the brother, sister, grandchild, niece, nephew or step equivalent of their sponsor. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, the holder of an Australian permanent visa, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, who undertakes sponsorship obligations.

Age

Applicant must be under 18 years of age when their visa application is lodged. If the applicant is under 18 when the visa application is lodged, but will turn 18 years of age before the application is decided, they may still be eligible for this visa if they meet the other requirements of the visa.

Relationship status

The child must be single. They must not be married or in a de-facto relationship.

Health requirements

The applicant must meet health requirements.
See: Health Requirements

Character requirements

Applicants who have turned 16 years of age must be of good character to enter or remain in Australia.
See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

Sponsorship limitation and best interests of the child

Where an applicant is under 18 years of age, the sponsorship cannot be approved (except in very limited circumstances) where the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse or de facto partner (if they have one) has a conviction or an outstanding charge for an offence against a child. The applicant will also need to satisfy the requirement that there is no compelling reason to believe that the grant of the visa would not be in the best interests of the applicant.

In order to assess the sponsorship application and the best interests of the child requirement, sponsors of children under 18 years of age, and their spouse or de facto partner, are required to submit an AFP National Police Check and/or foreign police certificate/s, depending on their circumstances.
See:
Sponsor Eligibility
Stronger Measures for the Protection of Children
AFP National Police Checks

Reliance on social security

If the applicant, or their sponsor, is likely to become a high user of Australia's social security system, an Assurance of Support (AoS) from an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident may be required. If required, the department will advise how an Assurance of Support can be obtained.
See: Assurance of Support

Before lodging an application, please read all related requirements.
See: Eligibility