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Family reunificationEffectiveMedium impactVerified

Australia Updates Arrangements for Child Visa Applications

🇦🇺 AustraliaFamily Reunification1 recorded versionLast change 1 Sept 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

For the relevant Child visa classes, applications must use the forms and submission arrangements specified in the new instrument. For Child (Migrant) (Class AH) applications, the approved form is 47CH. Applications must be either: posted with sufficient prepaid postage to the Department of Home Affairs Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Port Melbourne, Victoria; or delivered by courier to the Department of Home Affairs Child and Other Family Processing Centre in West Perth, Western Australia. The instrument also specifies 47CH for Child (Resident) (Class BT) applications and 918 for the Extended Eligibility (Temporary) (Class TK) visa. For the specified-country provision, Pakistan is listed with no limitation on the time period.

Overview

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has enacted the Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026, which supersedes the 2016 instrument. This new legislative instrument details the specific approved forms, submission methods, and designated locations for applying for Child (Migrant) (Class AH) and Child (Residence) (Class BT) visas. Additionally, it specifies any particular countries and periods relevant to these applications, with the updated arrangements becoming effective on 1 September 2026.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Applicants for Child (Migrant) (Class AH) visas
  • Applicants for Child (Residence) (Class BT) visas
  • Applicants affected by the specified-country provisions
  • People preparing or submitting applications covered by the instrument
  • Migration agents and representatives assisting with these applications

What changed in the latest version

Before

The previous Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument was titled F2026L01149, effective from 01 September 2026 to 21 September 2026. This instrument included sections for 'Commencement' and 'Schedules' which are not present in the current version. It listed 'Schedule 1—Approved' under its table of contents.

After

For the relevant Child visa classes, applications must use the forms and submission arrangements specified in the new instrument. For Child (Migrant) (Class AH) applications, the approved form is 47CH. Applications must be either: posted with sufficient prepaid postage to the Department of Home Affairs Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Port Melbourne, Victoria; or delivered by courier to the Department of Home Affairs Child and Other Family Processing Centre in West Perth, Western Australia. The instrument also specifies 47CH for Child (Resident) (Class BT) applications and 918 for the Extended Eligibility (Temporary) (Class TK) visa. For the specified-country provision, Pakistan is listed with no limitation on the time period.

This update is crucial for individuals applying for Child visas, as adhering to the correct form, manner, and place of application is fundamental to the validity of their submission. Failure to follow the new arrangements, outlined in Schedule 1, could lead to application rejection or processing delays. Furthermore, the introduction of Schedule 2 means applicants must now also check for any specific country or period requirements. The formal repeal of the 2016/051 arrangements clarifies the governing legislation, ensuring all parties refer to the most current rules. This ensures proper compliance and avoids errors during the application process.

Explained simply

Imagine Australia has a special rulebook for kids who want to move there to join their families. This rulebook just got a small update. It's like changing the title on the cover and adding a new chapter that explains how some other recent changes (called LIN 26/100) now fit into this kid's visa rulebook. So, if you're helping a child apply for one of these visas, you need to make sure you're using the very latest version of the rulebook and understand the new chapter.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 22 Sept 2026EffectiveMedium impact
    Australia Updates Arrangements for Child Visa Applications

    Australia's Department of Home Affairs has updated the rules for Child visa applications. A new legislative document, called the Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 (F2026C00921 C01), started on 22 September 2026. This new document replaces the previous one (F2026L01149), which was valid until 21 September 2026. The main change is how you need to submit applications for Child (Migrant) (Class AH) and Child (Residence) (Class BT) visas. This includes the forms you use, how you send them, and where they need to go, as explained in the new Schedule 1. The new document also adds a Schedule 2 for 'specified countries and periods' and Schedule 3, which formally cancels the 'Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051'.

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