Detailed instructions for applying for an Australian tourist visa for children under 18 years old

Australia is an attractive destination with majestic nature, modern cities and rich culture. Many families in Vietnam are planning trips to Australia with minors. However, if the traveler is a child or minor under 18 years old, applying for an Australian tourist visa for children under 18 years old will have some special requirements to ensure the rights and safety of children that parents or guardians need to pay attention to. The following article will provide detailed instructions on the process, documents for an Australian tourist visa for children and important notes to help you easily prepare to ensure full compliance with the regulations of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

1. Common situations when children travel to Australia

Traveling to Australia with young children is becoming a popular trend among Vietnamese families. (Photo: Collected)

Depending on the specific circumstances, visa application documents may be required. travel to Australia For children under 18, the process is slightly different. If the child is traveling with both parents, the procedure is simpler, as the application only requires proof of family relationship and travel plans. However, if the child is traveling with only one parent, you are required to provide written consent (with local authority seal or notarization) from the other parent. If the child is traveling with other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles, or traveling alone, the regulations are stricter, requiring a written authorization from both parents, along with full information about the person responsible for the child's guardianship in Australia.

2. What documents are needed for a child's Australian tourist visa application?

To successfully obtain a visa, you need to prepare a complete set of certified visa documents, including personal, financial, and legal documents related to the child's guardianship. The child's personal documents should include a passport valid for at least six months, a certified or bilingual birth certificate, and a household registration book. These documents confirm the child's identity and the relationship between the child and the applicant.

The application process is quite simple, requiring only the provision of documents proving the relationship and a travel schedule. (Image: Collected)

  Some of the required documents for an Australian visa application include:

1. Australian visa application form (according to template)
2. Certified copy of your new passport (Note: Australia does not keep the original passport; you only need to submit a certified copy. On the day of fingerprinting, bring your original passport for the interview).
3. Photocopy of old passport (including pages with content, if any)
4. Citizen Identification Card
5. Household registration/Household registration revocation certificate/Residence confirmation (CT07)
6. Marriage certificate (if applicable)
7. Certified copy of Business Registration Certificate + Tax payment receipts for the last 3 months + Bank statement for the last 3 months (personal/company account)
8. Employment contract + Leave application + Salary statements for the last 3 months (If you are an employee)
9. For retirement cases: Retirement card / Retirement decision + Pension statement for the last 3 months
10. Certified copy of savings passbook + confirmation of original balance > 200,000,000 VND/customer
11. Certified copies of land and house ownership documents, and other documents and contracts proving income (if any).
If you are visiting relatives, you need to add the following:
**For student visa applications:** Invitation letter via email or handwritten letter, copy of passport, copy of student visa, confirmation letter from the school, birth certificate.
**For family visits under the immigrant category:** Invitation letter via email or handwritten letter, passport page, residence permit page, employment verification letter (if applicable), birth certificate.
**Visiting relatives/friends: Invitation letter via email + copy of passport.**
**Required documents for business trip: Original invitation letter + Decision to send on business trip + Previous business contract (if any).**
In addition, the most important document is the consent form from the parents or legal guardian.

2.1. Consent Form

In the case of children under 18 years of age planning to travel to Australia, a parent, a non-partner parent, or a guardian (who has the right to decide where the child lives) must sign a consent form allowing the child to be granted an Australian visa.
If the parent or legal guardian is the sole decision-maker regarding where the child lives, only the parent or guardian needs to sign the consent form and provide the required documentation. Your parent or legal guardian must complete and sign Form 1229 - Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 (PDF 276KB) [1] . You must also provide a copy of the driver's license or passport (or other signed and photo identification) of the person who signed the form.
Form 1257 - Declaration of Commitment (PDF 211KB) [2] . This form must be completed and signed by the person nominated by your parent/legal guardian to provide accommodation and be responsible for you during your stay in Australia.
Australian visa applications for children under 18 must include identification documents (national ID or passport) of one parent, one parent not accompanying the child, or a legal guardian who consents to the child's travel to Australia.
The consent form must be notarized by a local authority or notary office in Vietnam (or the relevant country) confirming that they have verified the personal information of the consent taker and that the consent form is signed in the presence of the authorities.
Please note that under Vietnamese law, even if the child's parents are divorced, separated, out of contact, or declared missing by a court, the applicant must still submit a consent form for the child to travel to Australia unless there is a specific court decision allowing the child to leave the country. If one of the parents has passed away, a death certificate must also be attached.
If you are unable to provide the above documents, you must submit a court decision from Australia or Vietnam authorizing the child to leave the country.

2.2. Proof of Financial Means

Next is the financial aspect; you need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the child's trip. Financial documentation could include a savings account with a balance of approximately 200 million VND or more, bank statements for the last 3-6 months, and proof of income from the sponsor such as an employment contract, payslip, or business license. This reassures the Australian government that the child has a clear source of funds and is not planning to migrate illegally.

2. 3. Travel plan (Provide evidence demonstrating your intention to return home)

Regarding your travel plans, you need to clearly state your destinations, length of stay, return flight tickets (or reservations), hotel booking confirmation, or an invitation letter from a relative if the child is staying with relatives in Australia. In addition, travel insurance, while not mandatory, is recommended as it will help protect the child from medical risks and unexpected incidents during their stay.
*Note: You must not provide any false information in your application, as if discovered, the applicant will not only be denied a visa but may also be banned from applying for an Australian visa in the future.

3. The process for applying for an Australian tourist visa for children under 18 years old.

The Visitor visa – subclass 600 (Tourist stream) is a visa that allows you to stay in Australia for 3 to 12 months for tourism, visiting relatives, or personal purposes. (Image: Collected)

Applications can now be submitted entirely online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount system . You will need to create a representative account, usually a parent's, and then complete the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) application form for tourism. Note that in the declaration section, you must check the box "Child under 18 travelling" so the system knows this is a minor's application.
After completing the application, you need to upload all the prepared documents to the system. All documents must be scanned in clear color; bilingual versions or notarized English translations are preferred if the original documents are in Vietnamese. Then, you will proceed to pay the visa application fee using an international credit card. Currently, the Australian tourist visa fee is approximately 195 AUD (this may vary slightly depending on the time).
After payment, you will receive an invitation to visit a VFS Global application center in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City to have your child's fingerprints taken and biometric photo captured. This is mandatory even for children under 18 years old.

4. Processing time and results

Typically, the processing time ranges from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the completeness and accuracy of the application. (Image: Collected)

Typically, Australian tourist visa applications for children are processed within 15 to 45 business days. However, this timeframe may be shortened or extended depending on the application's status. After processing, the results will be sent via email as an electronic visa (e-visa) – you should print it out and bring it with you when going through immigration procedures.
Applying for an Australian tourist visa for children under 18 is not an overly complicated process, but it requires careful attention to detail. Preparing a complete, clear, and truthful application with a reasonable travel plan will significantly increase your chances of visa approval. Remember to double-check each document before submitting it, and regularly check your email for any additional requests from the visa processing authority.
If you're planning a trip to Australia with young children , start preparing your documents today for a smooth, safe, and memorable journey in the land of kangaroos!
(*) The content of the above article is collected and compiled, for reference only and is updated as of May 20, 2025. To prepare a complete and quick Australian tourist visa application, please contact reputable relevant agencies for advice [1],[2] and complete the application procedures. If you choose an Australian tour at Vietravel, Vietravel will assist you in completing the Australian tourist visa application procedures more easily and quickly.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/huong-dan-chi-tiet-xin-thi-thuc-du-lich-uc-cho-tre-duoi-18-tuoi-v17153.aspx