Carer Visa – Subclasses 116 and 836

The Carer visa is a permanent pathway for someone who is willing and able to provide substantial, ongoing care to an Australian relative — or a member of that relative's family — who has a genuine medical need for it.

There are two pathways: subclass 116 for applicants outside Australia, and subclass 836 for applicants already in Australia.

Who Can Apply

You'll generally need to show that:

• your Australian relative has a diagnosed medical condition requiring substantial and continuing care with everyday practical tasks; and
• you are able and willing to provide that care on an ongoing basis.

The Key Test: Why It Has to Be You

This is the part that trips a lot of applications up. It's not enough to show your relative needs care — you need to show that the care they need cannot reasonably be provided by any of the following instead:

• another family member already in Australia;
• someone else in the Australian household; or
• welfare, hospital, nursing or other community care services available in Australia.

Because of this, the Department often requires an independent medical assessment confirming both the condition and the level of care actually needed.

What the Visa Allows

As a permanent visa, either the 116 or 836 pathway generally allows you to:

• live in Australia permanently to provide the required care;
• work and study; and
• enrol in Medicare.

Evidence You'll Need

Expect to gather detailed medical evidence about your relative's condition and care needs, along with evidence explaining why alternative care arrangements in Australia genuinely aren't a reasonable substitute for you personally. These applications tend to be more medically and factually involved than most other Family visa categories.

How I Can Help

I can assist with:

• assessing whether your circumstances meet the Carer visa test;
• coordinating the required medical assessment;
• building the case for why alternative care isn't a reasonable substitute; and
• preparing and lodging your application.

Important Information

The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances.

Visa requirements and medical assessment processes can change. Meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee that a visa application will be approved.

Professional advice should be obtained based on your individual circumstances before lodging an application.