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 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.
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.
Care Requirement
The central requirement of the Carer Visa is demonstrating that the Australian relative requires substantial and continuing assistance.
The assistance may relate to personal care, mobility, daily living activities or ongoing support arising from a long-term medical condition or disability.
The Department generally expects objective evidence showing that the care is genuinely required and cannot reasonably be provided through alternative arrangements available in Australia.
Medical Assessment Requirement
An important aspect of Carer Visa applications is the assessment of the Australian relative's need for care.
In many cases, a formal medical assessment is required to determine whether the person requires substantial and continuing assistance and whether suitable care options exist within Australia.
This assessment often plays a critical role in the outcome of the application.
Sponsorship Requirements
The applicant generally requires sponsorship from an eligible Australian relative.
The sponsor will normally be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen settled in Australia.
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants must satisfy Australia's health and character requirements before the visa can be granted.
Medical examinations, police clearances and supporting documentation may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
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 Principal Migration Consultant
This page has been reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi, Principal Migration Consultant at Shada Migration. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University (ANU).
Need Help with a Carer Visa?
Carer Visa applications often involve detailed medical evidence, sponsorship requirements and complex family circumstances. Professional advice may assist applicants in understanding eligibility requirements and preparing a well-supported application.
