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Carer visa
(Subclass 116)
The Carer Visa (Subclass 116) allows individuals to come to Australia to provide long-term care for a relative who has a medical condition or disability. As a permanent visa, it grants the holder the right to live, work, and study in Australia. The visa also includes access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system. The process requires a paper application, and applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. You can only apply for this visa through a paper application.
With Carer Visa you can
This visa provides several advantages:
- Remain in Australia indefinitely.
- Pursue employment and educational opportunities within the country.
- Enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare, for your medical needs.
- Sponsor your relatives to migrate to Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia for a period of five years.
- Apply for Australian citizenship, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
This visa enables you to come to or remain in Australia for the purpose of providing care to an individual with a long-term medical condition who lacks reasonable access to care options within the country. The person you are caring for must be either your Australian relative in need of care or a family member of your relative who requires care and resides with them.
See related: Carer visa (subclass 836) (onshore)
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 116 Visa, there are several criteria you must meet:
Be outside Australia: You must be outside of Australia when applying for this visa and must be granted the visa before you travel.
Primary Carer: You must be able to demonstrate that you are able and willing to provide ongoing substantial care to your Australian relative or their family member who needs care. The relative or family member must have a long-term medical condition, and you must show that they have no reasonable access to care in Australia.
Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by an eligible sponsor, typically the relative you are caring for. Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet the health and character requirements. This includes undergoing health checks and providing police certificates for anyone aged 16 years and over who is applying with you.
Debt to the Australian Government: If you or any family member applying with you owes money to the Australian Government, this debt must be repaid or a payment arrangement must be in place before applying.
Past Visa History: If you have had a visa canceled or a previous application refused, this could affect your eligibility.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
With Carer Visa, you have the flexibility to travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish for a period of 5 years from the date of visa grant, provided the travel facility remains valid.
You are permitted to travel to and from Australia for a period of 5 years starting from the date when the visa is granted. If you plan to travel beyond the initial 5-year period, you will need to apply for and obtain a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or subclass 157) in order to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Additionally, you may want to consider applying for Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter Australia. Instead, you will need to apply for an Australian passport and utilize it for your international travels.
To determine the expiration date of your travel facility, you can check the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.
Application Process
The process to apply for the Carer Visa (Subclass 116) is straightforward but requires attention to detail:
Gather Documents: You must provide documentation to support your application. This includes proof of identity, police certificates, a Bupa medical certificate confirming your relative’s need for care, and evidence that they do not have reasonable access to care in Australia.
Submit Application: You will need to complete the required application form and submit it along with all supporting documents. The application must be lodged on paper, and you must be in Australia when it is submitted.
Health and Character Checks: You and your family members may be required to undergo health checks and provide police certificates from any country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years.
Processing Time: The processing time for the Subclass 836 Visa can vary. The demand for this visa is often high, and the number of available spots is limited, meaning processing times may be lengthy. The visa processing time guide currently displays a period of 8 years.
Pay Visa Charges: There are visa application fees, which must be paid in instalments. The first instalment is due when you apply, and the second instalment is payable later as directed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Outcome: Once your application is processed, you will be informed of the decision. If granted, you will receive your visa and permanent residency status.
Visa Cost
The cost of Carer Visa subclass 116 is divided into two instalments. The first instalment of $2,115 is due upon application, and the second instalment of $2,065 is payable upon request by the immigration authorities.
First Instalment (payable at the time of application):
- For the main applicant, the base charge is AUD $2,115.
- Additional charges apply for family members who apply with you:
- AUD $1,060 for applicants 18 years or older.
- AUD $530 for applicants under 18.
Second Instalment (payable before the visa is granted):
- AUD $2,065 for most applicants.
- This charge can be reduced to nil if you can demonstrate that paying it would cause severe financial hardship to you or the person you’re caring for.
Conclusion
The Subclass 116 Carer Visa provides a unique pathway for those who wish to come to Australia to care for a close relative in need of long-term support. With its benefits, including permanent residency, healthcare coverage, and a path to citizenship, this visa offers a great opportunity for individuals seeking to reunite with family while offering much-needed assistance.
However, it’s important to carefully follow the application steps, meet all requirements, and ensure your documents are in order to avoid delays or complications. If necessary, consulting a migration agent can help simplify the process and improve your chances of success.
Eligibility
Be a carer
In addition to other requirements, you must be willing and capable of offering continuous substantial care and support to your sponsoring relative or the family member residing with them.
To demonstrate this, it’s important for you to have a thorough understanding of your sponsor’s medical condition and the specific care needs they require. This understanding is crucial in showcasing your ability to provide the necessary care and support.
Have a sponsor
You must have an eligible sponsor to support your visa application, and the sponsorship must be approved by the immigration authorities.
Meet the health requirement
You and any accompanying family members must meet the health requirements set by the immigration authorities when applying for the visa. Additionally, even family members who are not planning to migrate to Australia may still need to meet these health requirements.
Meet the character requirement
You, along with family members aged 16 years and older who are applying for the visa with you, must satisfy our character requirement. Additionally, we may also request that other family members meet this requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members, regardless of whether they are applying for the visa with you, owe money to the Australian Government, it is necessary to have either repaid the debt or arranged a repayment plan.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
Your immigration history will be taken into account during the assessment of your application. If you have previously had a visa cancelled or refused, it may affect your eligibility for this visa.
However, under certain circumstances, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa despite past visa cancellations or refusals. For more information, please refer to the “Limitations on applications in Australia” document.
If you are applying for a visa from outside Australia, please consult the “Can I go to Australia” resource.
For assistance with your visa application, you can refer to the “Who can help with your visa application” guide.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Have read or been briefed on the content of the “Life in Australia” booklet.
- Sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your commitment to uphold the Australian way of life and abide by Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
This visa will not be granted if it is not deemed to be in the best interests of an applicant who is under 18 years of age.
Conditions
8502 - Not arrive before person specified in visa
You must not enter Australia before the person specified in the visa has entered Australia. This is usually the main visa holder or other relevant person such as your sponsor in the case of a Partner visa.
8515 - Must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entry
Before entering Australia, it is important not to marry or enter into a de facto relationship.
In the event of any changes to your contact details, please refer to the relevant guidelines for updating this information.
Failure to disclose any engagements, marriages, or de facto relationships that occurred prior to the visa grant but were not reported to us may result in visa cancellation. Therefore, it is crucial to provide accurate and timely information to avoid any complications.