The Subclass 445 — Following a Parent Through the Partner Visa Process
When a person marries or is in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident and applies for a partner visa, the process often takes years from the initial temporary stage to the permanent stage. If that person has a dependent child who is not also included in the partner visa application, the child would otherwise have no visa basis to be in Australia during that period.
The subclass 445 fills this gap. It is a temporary visa specifically for children of a parent who holds or is applying for a temporary partner visa (subclass 309 or 820). It allows the child to be in Australia with the parent while the permanent stage of the partner visa is pending.
A Typical Subclass 445 Scenario
Ana is a citizen of a third country with a dependent child, Mia (aged 8). Ana marries an Australian citizen, Ben. Ana applies for a subclass 820 (onshore) partner visa. Mia is not Australian and has no Australian visa.
If Mia is not included in Ana's 820 application and does not have her own visa, she cannot lawfully remain in Australia. Ana would be on the 820 (temporary stage) waiting for the permanent 801 — which can take 2 or more years.
Mia applies for a subclass 445 Dependent Child visa. Ben (Ana's sponsor) also sponsors Mia. The 445 allows Mia to live in Australia with Ana while Ana's partner visa is at the temporary stage.
When Ana's permanent 801 partner visa is ready to be decided, Mia must already be included as a member of the family unit in that application. If Mia has been properly included, both Ana and Mia receive the permanent 801 visa together.
If Mia is not properly included in Ana's permanent partner application, she will not receive the permanent visa as part of that process. She may need to apply for a separate child visa (subclass 802) at additional cost and processing time. This is avoidable with careful planning.
Eligibility Requirements
Applying for the Subclass 445
The Permanent Stage — Getting the Child to Permanent Residence
The subclass 445 is a stepping stone, not a destination. To convert the child's status to permanent, the following must happen at the permanent stage of the parent's partner visa.
When the parent's permanent partner visa application (subclass 100 or 801) is lodged or when the permanent stage is being processed, the child must be properly included as a member of the family unit. This requires notification to the Department if the child was not included at lodgement.
Health assessments have an expiry period. If the child's health assessment from the 445 application has expired by the time the permanent stage is decided, a new assessment may be required. Plan for this when timing the permanent application.
If the parent's permanent 100 or 801 visa is granted and the child has been properly included, the child's permanent visa is granted at the same time. Both parent and child become permanent residents together.
If the child turns 18 while the parent's permanent application is pending, the child may cease to be a dependent child for visa purposes unless they are a full-time student financially dependent on the parent. Monitor this carefully and seek advice if the child is approaching 18 during a long processing period.
Subclass 445 Questions Answered
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.