How to include minors in your Australia visa application?

Travelling as a family is a valuable experience, and if you're planning to visit Australia with your children, it's essential to understand the Australia Group with Children visa application process. This page is dedicated to guiding you through the important steps and considerations when including minor children in your visa application. Navigating the administrative formalities for a family trip may seem complex, but with the right information, you can plan your trip with confidence, while complying with the regulations in force. Let's find out together how to make this trip memorable and hassle-free for the whole family.

Australia visa for children / minors: in brief

• Online application for a child's eVisitor: The application for a visa for a minor child for Australia is made online.
• Specific application form: A specific application form must be completed for each minor child.
• Documents required: In addition to the standard documents, specific documents relating to the minor child, such as an identity card or birth certificate, will be required.
• Parental consent: The consent of both parents (or legal guardians) is required for the visa application.
• Processing time: The processing time for a visa application for a minor child can vary, so it is important to apply early.

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The eTA or eVisitor for travelling to Australia as a family with children

Travelling to Australia as a family with children requires careful preparation, particularly when it comes to the administrative procedures involved in obtaining a visa. For citizens of the European Union and other eligible countries, there are two options: theeVisitor and theeTA (Electronic Travel Authority). These two electronic visas allow you to travel to Australia for tourism, but it's important to understand their specific features, the procedures to follow, the cost and the period of validity, especially when travelling with children.

How to obtain an eTA or eVisitor with children?

The eTA (Electronic Travel Authority) is mainly intended for nationals of countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, etc. It is a simple, electronic visa. It is an electronic visa, easy to obtain and generally required for stays of less than 3 months. It is valid for tourist trips, but also for business or family visits.

The eVisitor, on the other hand, is a specific version of the electronic visa for nationals of the European Union and certain other European countries. This visa also allows you to stay in Australia for up to 3 months, for tourism or to visit family.

Although both visas offer similar benefits, it is essential to check which type of visa applies to you, depending on your nationality. If you are a citizen of an EU country, the eVisitor will be the simplest and most economical solution.

The procedure for applying for an eTA or eVisitor is entirely paperless and is done online, via the official Australian government website or via a service provider. This greatly simplifies the process, especially when travelling as a family. Here are the main steps:

1. Check eligibility: Before starting the application, it is essential to check that your country of residence and that of your children are eligible for these visas. EU citizens, for example, can easily apply for an eVisitor, while citizens of other countries will have to go through the eTA.
2. Gather the necessary documents: For each family member, including children, you will need to complete an online application. The following information is generally required:
   • Valid passport (each family member's passport must be valid for the duration of the stay).
   • Personal details (name, address, etc.).
   • Travel details (departure and return dates).
   • Details of health and criminal record (information on health and criminal record may be requested, although these questions mainly concern adults).
3. Completing the online form: The online form is simple to complete, but must be done for each family member, including children. For minor children, you will need to enter their passport details and, in some cases, attach a birth certificate. Make sure that each application is completed correctly to avoid errors or delays.
4. Submitting the application and waiting for a reply: Once the application has been submitted, the process is quick. In general, applications are processed within 1 to 3 working days for eVisitor and eTA. In most cases, responses are given by email, and you will receive confirmation of the travel authorisation.

Processing time for eTA and eVisitor family applications

The main advantage of electronic visas such as the eVisitor and eTA is the speed of the process. In general, these visas are processed very quickly. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a reply within 24 to 72 hours. It is therefore possible to apply online a few days before your departure, but it is recommended that you do so at least a week in advance to avoid any unnecessary stress.

If you need it urgently, some tour operators or specialist agencies offer fast-track services, although this is not necessary in most cases.

Validity of the eTA and eVisitor

An eVisitor or eTA is generally valid for 3 months from the date of arrival in Australia. This may seem short, but it's enough for a typical tourist stay. If you wish to extend your stay, you will need to make a new visa application or request a specific visa from the Australian authorities in Australia.

The eTA or eVisitor allows you to enter Australia several times during the period of validity, but each entry must respect the 3-month limit. This means that if you leave Australia for another destination during your stay, you can re-use the same visa to return without having to apply for a new one, as long as you stay within the 3-month limit.

Practical advice for travelling with children

• Passports: Make sure all children's passports are valid for the duration of your stay. Australia requires all travellers, including children, to have an individual passport to enter the country.
• Additional documents: If you are travelling with children and are solely responsible (for example, if parents have separated), it may be useful to have a birth certificate or parental consent document to prove that you have the authority to travel with the child. Although this is not always required for the eVisitor or eTA, it is a useful precaution.
• Air travel: Long-haul flights to Australia can be long, so it's important to provide entertainment for children. Check with the airline if they offer children's kits or specific in-flight entertainment.

The classic tourist visa for a family with children

When planning a family trip to Australia, the classic tourist visa is one of the options to consider.

The Classic Tourist visa, also known as the Visitor visa (subclass 600), is a suitable option for families wishing to visit Australia for tourism, family or leisure purposes. The application process involves the following steps:

• Completing the online application form: Applicants, including minors, must complete the online application form, providing personal information, travel details and answering security questions.
• Documents required: Documents required for minors may include a valid passport, signed parental authorisation (if one parent is travelling without the other), proof of parent-child relationship, and other specific documents.
• Payment of Australia visa fees: A visa fee applies to each applicant. Please ensure that you pay this fee in accordance with the instructions provided when submitting your application.
• Submitting the application: Once all the details have been provided and the fees paid, submit the application online. Each family member must submit their own application.

Minors travelling to Australia require specific documents. This includes a valid passport for each child. If one parent is travelling with the child without the other parent, a signed parental consent form may be required. This authorisation demonstrates the consent of the non-accompanying parent to the trip.

Processing times for Australia's traditional child tourist visas may vary depending on the time of year, the number of applications being processed, and other factors. In general, it is advisable to submit the application at least one to three months before the intended date of travel to allow for these potential delays. It is also advisable to consult the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date information on processing times.

Our advice and recommendations for a successful visa application with children :

If you want to make sure you get your visa for Australia in time for your family trip or have your children, here are a few recommendations and tips to follow:

• Plan ahead: Start preparing your visa application well in advance. Processing times can vary, so it's wise to plan ahead.
• Check the specific requirements: Check the requirements for the type of visa you are planning to obtain, whether it is a traditional tourist visa, an eVisitor or an eTA. Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements.
• Documents for children: Prepare the necessary documents for your minor children, including passports, birth certificates and any parental authorisation required.
• Be clear about the period of stay: Make sure that the period of stay authorised by the visa is sufficient for your family trip to Australia.
• Take out travel insurance: Consider buying travel insurance to cover your family members in the event of a medical emergency, trip cancellation or lost luggage.
• Be aware of visa fees: factor visa fees for each family member into your travel budget.

A reminder of the requirements for child safety when travelling in Australia:

Your children's safety is paramount when travelling internationally. Here are a few important reminders:

• Passports and documents: Make sure each child has a valid passport. Keep a copy of their travel documents, including birth certificates.
• Parental authorisation: If one of the parents is travelling alone with the children, make sure you have notarised parental authorisation from the other parent, or the person with legal custody.
• Health and safety: Take any medicines and medical supplies you need for your children with you. Familiarise yourself with emergency numbers and local health services in Australia.
• Constant supervision: Keep a close eye on your children during the trip and make sure they follow the safety rules, whether on transport or during tourist activities.

Can my child travel alone in Australia on an eTA or eVisitor?

Travelling alone to Australia with an eTA or eVisitor is possible, but there are several points to bear in mind. Firstly, neither the eTA nor the eVisitor specify a minimum age for applying, so in theory a child can get one of these visas. However, this does not mean that a minor can travel alone to Australia without extra precautions.

Even if the eTA or eVisitor allows a child to travel to Australia, the Australian authorities require the child to be under the responsibility of an adult when travelling. If a child is travelling alone, they will need parental authorisation and possibly a notarised parental consent document. This document certifies that the child has permission to travel abroad, and that he or she is being looked after by a responsible adult on the spot.

Most airlines have strict policies on minors travelling alone. Children under the age of 12 are often required to travel as part of a special escort service (an ‘unaccompanied minor’), which includes care on departure, in flight and on arrival. It is therefore essential to check the specific arrangements with the airline before booking a flight for a child travelling alone.

In short, although a child can theoretically travel alone with an eTA or eVisitor, it is important to prepare the journey carefully, ensuring that all the legal and logistical requirements are met.