How long does my financial responsibility (undertaking) last when I sponsor my child?

When you sponsor a child, you sign an undertaking agreeing to be financially responsible for them. For a biological or to-be-adopted dependent child who is under 22, the undertaking runs for 10 years, or until the child reaches 25, whichever comes first.

For a dependent child who is 22 or older (an over-age dependent), the undertaking length is 3 years. During the undertaking you are responsible for the child's basic needs, and the commitment generally remains in force even if your circumstances change.