Carer Visa (Subclass 116 and 836)

This visa allows individuals to come to Australia to provide care to their relatives who require support due to long-term or permanent medical conditions. The difference between subclass 116 and 836 is whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia while lodging the application and when the visa is granted.

Visa Subclass	Location
Carer visa (subclass 116)	Offshore applicant
Carer visa (subclass 836)	Onshore applicant

Key Features

Feature	Details
Length of Stay	Permanently
Visa Type	Permanent residency
Location at Application	Inside or outside Australia (depending on subclass)

Visa Cost

Cost Type	Amount
Base Application Charge	From AUD $2,115
Second Instalment	AUD $2,115 for each person included on the application

Second Instalment Waiver

The second instalment may be waived if the Minister of Home Affairs is satisfied that the payment has caused, or is likely to cause, severe financial hardship to:

• The applicant; OR
• The person of whom the applicant is a carer

Eligibility Requirements

Who Could Get This Visa

You might be eligible for this visa if:

Requirement	Details
Care Provision	You are able to provide ongoing care and assistance for a relative and their spouse or de facto partner who lives in the same house
Health	You and your family members meet health requirements
Character	You and your family members meet character requirements

Definition of ‘Relative’

For the purposes of this visa, ‘relative’ includes:

Relationship Type	Examples
Immediate Family	Partner, child, parent, brother, sister
Step Relations	Stepchild, step-parent, stepbrother, stepsister
Extended Family	Grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew
Step Equivalents	Step equivalents of the above

Sponsor Requirements

Who Can Be Your Sponsor

Your sponsor (relative) or their partner must require substantial ongoing care and support due to a long-term or permanent medical condition.

Sponsor Requirement	Details
Age	18 years of age or older
Citizenship/Residency	Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

Sponsor Medical Requirements

Requirement	Details
Care Availability	Have not been able to receive care they need from another source in Australia (such as from another relative or an Australian welfare, hospital nursing or community service)
Medical Assessment	Have been assessed or be in the process of arranging an assessment with Bupa Medical Visa Services
Medical Certificate	Must obtain a medical certificate stating that the sponsor or the sponsor’s partner has a medical condition which:
	• Causes physical, intellectual or sensory impairment
	• Means the sponsor or the partner will need help with practical aspects of daily life for at least 2 years

Sponsor Support Obligations

Obligation	Details
Housing	Must agree to provide housing for the first 2 years the applicant and any family members live in Australia
Financial Support	Must agree to provide financial support for the first 2 years the applicant and any family members live in Australia

Health Requirements

Requirement	Details
Health Standards	You must meet certain health requirements
Validity	Results are usually valid for 12 months
Timing	Do not arrange a health examination until asked to do so
Family Members	Applies to all members of your family unit included in your application, whether they are migrating or not

Character Requirements

Requirement	Details
Character Standards	You must meet certain character requirements
Police Certificates	Must provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age
Timing	Do not arrange for police certificates until asked to do so
Family Members	Applies to all members of your family unit listed in your application, whether they are migrating or not

Australian Values Statement

Requirement	Details
Age Requirement	If you are 18 years of age or older
Requirement	You must sign an Australian Values Statement to confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Location	The statement is included in the visa application form
Preparation	You must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book before you sign the statement

Debts to the Australian Government

Requirement	Details
Outstanding Debts	You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
Alternative	Or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted

Summary

Aspect	Subclass 116	Subclass 836
Visa Name	Carer Visa	Carer Visa
Subclass	116	836
Location at Application	Outside Australia	Inside Australia
Location at Grant	Outside Australia	Inside Australia
Visa Type	Permanent	Permanent
Length of Stay	Indefinite	Indefinite
Base Cost	From AUD $2,115	From AUD $2,115
Second Instalment	AUD $2,115 per person	AUD $2,115 per person
Sponsor Age	18+ years	18+ years
Care Period Required	Minimum 2 years	Minimum 2 years

Book a meeting today for a commitment-free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your Carer visa options.