Can Children Under 18 Travel to Australia on a Visitor Visa in 2026?

The short answer is yes. Children under 18 can travel to Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). But unlike an adult application, a child's application involves stricter checks around parental consent, custody, and the child's welfare. Missing even one document can trigger a refusal - and that refusal can complicate future applications too.

This guide walks you through exactly what is required, what can go wrong, how much it costs, and what to do in tricky situations like one parent travelling alone with the child, or a child travelling completely unaccompanied.

Can Children Under 18 Get an Australian Visitor Visa?

Yes - there is no minimum age restriction for the Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). Infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers can all apply. The visa allows the child to stay in Australia temporarily for tourism, family visits, or short-term events.

However, the Department of Home Affairs assesses child applications differently from adult ones. The reason is child welfare and protection. Australia is particularly focused on preventing child abduction, unauthorised custody removal, and child trafficking. That is why the documentation requirements for minors are significantly more detailed.

For a broader picture of how Australian immigration works, it also helps to understand what a Bridging Visa is and how it works if circumstances change during a visit.

What Visa Subclass Applies to Children?

Children travelling to Australia for short-term visits typically apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Tourist Stream. If the child is visiting family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, they may also be eligible under the Sponsored Family Stream of the same subclass.

Complete Document Checklist for a Child's Application

This is where most child visa applications fall short. The document list is longer than a standard adult application, and any gaps - even minor ones - can delay or derail the outcome.

Core Documents (All Child Applications)

• Valid passport for the child - minimum 6 months validity recommended
• Birth certificate clearly showing both parents' names
• Recent passport-sized photographs of the child
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of travel arrangements - flights, itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in Australia
• Evidence of financial support for the trip
• Copies of both parents' passports or national ID

Parental Consent and Custody Documents

• Statutory declaration or notarised letter of consent from both parents
• If only one parent is travelling: written consent from the non-travelling parent
• If custody orders exist: certified copies of all relevant court orders
• If a parent is deceased: death certificate
• If a parent's whereabouts are unknown: supporting statutory declaration explaining the circumstances

Additional Documents if Travelling with a Non-Parent Guardian

• Proof of legal guardianship
• Written consent from both biological parents or legal guardian
• Contact details for the parents or guardians in the home country
• Clear explanation of who the child will stay with in Australia and their relationship

Three Common Travel Scenarios - What Each Requires

The documentation you need depends heavily on how the child is travelling. Here are the three most common situations and what each one requires.

What About Children Travelling with Grandparents or Other Relatives?

This is a common situation - particularly for Indian, Filipino, and South Asian families where grandparents travel with grandchildren. In this case, the adult travelling with the child is neither the biological parent nor the legal guardian, which means the documentation requirements increase significantly.

Both parents (or legal guardians) must provide notarised consent. The application should also include a clear explanation of the purpose of travel, the relationship between the travelling adult and the child, and details of where the child will be staying in Australia.

For families whose children study in Australia, it is also worth understanding the rules around student visa travel during school holidays, which differ significantly from visitor visa conditions.

Visa Application Costs for Children in 2026

One of the most commonly searched questions - and one that most articles skip entirely. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay.

Note: These are Department of Home Affairs fees as of 2026 and may change. Additional costs may apply for biometrics, health assessments, translation of documents, and notarisation fees.

Conditions the Child's Visitor Visa Must Meet

Getting the visa is only half the picture. Once granted, the child's visa comes with conditions that must be respected throughout the stay. Breaching these conditions can affect future visa applications for the child - and potentially for the family.

• No work allowed. The child cannot engage in any paid activity in Australia on a visitor visa.
• No enrolling in school for more than 3 months. Short holiday programs are fine, but enrolling in a full school term requires a Student Visa. Learn more about what activities are permitted on student and temporary visas in Australia.
• Must leave before the visa expires. Overstaying - even by a few days - creates a negative immigration record.
• Must remain under proper adult supervision. The child must have a responsible adult caring for them throughout the visit.
• Purpose must remain as stated. The child cannot use a visitor visa to live in Australia long-term.

Why Child Visitor Visa Applications Get Refused

Understanding why applications fail is just as important as knowing what to include. These are the most frequent reasons child visitor visa applications are refused - many of which are entirely preventable.

• Missing or informal parental consent documents. A WhatsApp message or unsigned typed letter is not sufficient. Consent must be formal, notarised, and clearly authorise the specific trip.
• Unclear custody arrangements. If the parents are separated or divorced and no custody documentation is provided, the application raises immediate red flags.
• Weak evidence of intent to return home. Immigration officers want to be confident the child (and accompanying adult) will leave Australia when the visa expires. Ties to the home country - school enrolment, property, ongoing commitments - help prove this.
• No clarity on who is responsible for the child in Australia. The application should clearly explain who will be looking after the child, their address, and their relationship to the child.
• Insufficient financial evidence. Australia wants to know the trip is funded without reliance on public resources. Bank statements covering at least 3 to 6 months should be provided.
• History of visa refusals in the family. If a parent has previously had a visa refused, this can affect the child's application too. Always disclose previous refusals honestly.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare a Strong Application

Follow these steps in order to give the application the best possible chance of success.

1. Confirm the correct visa subclass. Check whether your child needs Subclass 600 (Tourist or Sponsored Family Stream), eVisitor (651), or ETA (601) based on their passport nationality.
2. Gather the core identity documents. Passport, birth certificate, and photos. Make sure the passport has at least 6 months validity beyond the intended travel dates.
3. Obtain and notarise parental consent. Both parents must sign a consent letter. Get it notarised or witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. Include the specific travel dates and destination.
4. Compile custody documents if applicable. If separated, divorced, or there are existing custody orders, include certified copies. If a parent is deceased, include the death certificate.
5. Prepare the travel plan and accommodation proof. Include flight bookings (or intent to book), hotel or host address in Australia, and a brief explanation of the visit's purpose.
6. Provide financial evidence. Bank statements showing sufficient funds for the trip. Typically 3 to 6 months of statements are expected.
7. Show ties to the home country. School enrolment certificate, upcoming events, proof of property - anything that demonstrates the child (and family) will return home.
8. Submit via ImmiAccount. The Subclass 600 application is submitted online via the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal.

Final Thoughts

Travelling to Australia with children - or sending a child to visit family there - is absolutely possible on a visitor visa. The Subclass 600 is open to minors of all ages, with no minimum age restriction. But the process demands more preparation than a standard adult application.

The biggest risk areas are parental consent documentation, custody arrangements, and evidence of temporary intent. These three areas account for the majority of child visitor visa refusals - and all three are entirely within your control to get right.

Give yourself enough preparation time, ensure all consent letters are properly notarised, and do not book non-refundable travel before the visa is in hand. If your situation is complex - one parent refusing consent, a custody dispute, or an unaccompanied minor - seek professional migration advice before submitting.