Australian family migration pathway
Carer Visa Australia (Subclass 116 & 836)
The Carer Visa allows eligible individuals to migrate to Australia to provide ongoing care and support to an Australian relative who has a long-term medical condition, disability or illness and cannot reasonably obtain the required care from other sources in Australia.
The Carer Visa category includes two subclasses:
- Subclass 116 – Offshore application pathway
- Subclass 836 – Onshore application pathway
Both visa subclasses provide permanent residence. The primary distinction relates to where the applicant is located when the application is lodged and when the visa is granted.
- Permanent residence visa pathway
- For eligible carers of Australian relatives
- Medical assessment requirements apply
- Sponsorship generally required
- Health and character requirements apply
- Potential pathway to Australian citizenship
- What is a Carer Visa?The Carer Visa is a family migration pathway that allows a person to move to Australia permanently to provide substantial and continuing assis…
- Who Can Apply?Applicants must satisfy a number of eligibility requirements before a Carer Visa can be granted.
- Care RequirementThe central requirement of the Carer Visa is demonstrating that the Australian relative requires substantial and continuing assistance.
- Medical Assessment RequirementAn important aspect of Carer Visa applications is the assessment of the Australian relative's need for care.
Stage 1
What is a Carer Visa?
The Carer Visa is a family migration pathway that allows a person to move to Australia permanently to provide substantial and continuing assistance to an eligible Australian relative.
The visa is intended for situations where the Australian relative has a medical condition or disability creating a genuine need for care and where suitable care cannot reasonably be obtained from other sources within Australia.
The visa involves specific evidentiary requirements and medical assessments, making it one of the more specialised family migration pathways.
Stage 2
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy a number of eligibility requirements before a Carer Visa can be granted.
Eligible Relative
The applicant must generally be related to an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Need for Care
The Australian relative must require substantial and continuing care due to a medical condition or disability.
Suitable Carer
The applicant must be capable of providing the required care and support.
Eligible Sponsor
An eligible sponsor is generally required.
Stage 3
Carer Visa Requirements
A Carer Visa application is assessed by looking at both the Australian relative’s genuine need for substantial and continuing care and the applicant’s ability to provide that care while meeting the visa and sponsorship requirements.
Requirements for the Relative Needing Care
The Australian relative must have a long-term medical condition, disability or illness that creates a genuine need for substantial and continuing assistance. The required support may involve personal care, mobility, daily living activities or other ongoing help.
The need for care must be supported by objective medical evidence. A formal medical assessment may be required to establish the level and expected duration of care and to consider whether suitable care can reasonably be obtained from services, family members or other sources in Australia.
The medical and care evidence is therefore central to the application because the Carer Visa is intended for situations where the required assistance cannot reasonably be met through alternative arrangements in Australia.
Requirements for the Applicant & Sponsor
The applicant must be able and willing to provide the substantial and continuing assistance required by the Australian relative. The relationship between the applicant and the person requiring care, and the applicant’s practical ability to provide that support, are important parts of the assessment.
An eligible sponsor is generally required. The sponsor will usually be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia and meets the relevant sponsorship requirements.
The applicant must also satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve medical examinations, police clearances and other supporting documents.
Stage 4
Subclass 116 vs Subclass 836
Both visa subclasses provide permanent residence to eligible carers. The key difference is where the applicant is located when the application is lodged and when the visa is granted.
Subclass 116 (Offshore)
- Permanent residence visa
- Application generally lodged outside Australia
- Applicant generally outside Australia at visa grant
- Requires an eligible sponsor
- Medical assessment requirements apply
- Care requirement must be satisfied
Subclass 836 (Onshore)
- Permanent residence visa
- Application generally lodged in Australia
- Applicant generally in Australia at visa grant
- Requires an eligible sponsor
- Medical assessment requirements apply
- Care requirement must be satisfied
The choice between Subclass 116 and Subclass 836 usually depends on the applicant's location and visa status at the time of application. Both pathways require detailed evidence regarding the need for care and the availability of alternative care arrangements in Australia.
Stage 5
Benefits of Permanent Residence
Successful applicants receive Australian permanent residence and may enjoy a range of rights and benefits available to permanent residents.
Live Permanently in Australia
Remain in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident.
Work and Study Rights
Permanent residents generally have unrestricted work and study rights.
Medicare Access
Eligible permanent residents may enrol in Australia's public healthcare system.
Citizenship Pathway
Eligible permanent residents may later apply for Australian citizenship.
Stage 6
Important Considerations Before Applying
The Carer Visa is one of Australia's most specialised family migration pathways. Unlike many other family visas, the focus is not simply on the family relationship itself, but on whether a genuine need for ongoing care exists.
The Department will generally examine:
- The medical condition or disability affecting the Australian relative
- The level of care required on an ongoing basis
- Whether suitable care can reasonably be obtained from Australian services or other sources
- The applicant's ability to provide the required care
- The relationship between the applicant and the person requiring care
Because these applications often involve complex medical evidence and family circumstances, careful preparation is usually essential before lodging an application.
Stage 8
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Subclass 116 and Subclass 836?
The main difference is the applicant's location when applying and when the visa is granted. Subclass 116 is generally an offshore pathway, while Subclass 836 is generally an onshore pathway.
Who can be cared for under a Carer Visa application?
The person requiring care must generally be an eligible Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who has a long-term medical condition, disability or illness requiring substantial and continuing assistance.
Does the medical condition need to be serious?
Yes. The condition must generally result in a genuine need for substantial and continuing care. Medical evidence is usually required to demonstrate the level of assistance needed.
Can a Carer Visa be granted if professional care services are available?
The availability of suitable care services in Australia is an important consideration. The Department generally assesses whether the required care can reasonably be obtained from alternative sources.
Do I need a sponsor?
Yes. Applicants generally require sponsorship by an eligible Australian relative.
Can I include family members in the application?
Depending on the circumstances, eligible family members may be included in the application. Individual circumstances should be assessed carefully.
Does a Carer Visa provide permanent residence?
Yes. Both Subclass 116 and Subclass 836 are permanent residence visas.
Can I eventually become an Australian citizen?
Eligible permanent residents may later apply for Australian citizenship if they satisfy the citizenship requirements in force at the relevant time.
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
Principal Registered Migration Agent at Shada Migration Services · MARN 0958292.
Next step
Get Advice About Your Family Visa Options
Family visa matters depend on the applicant, sponsor, family circumstances and supporting evidence. A consultation can help identify the appropriate pathway and the issues to address before lodgement.
