Carer visa
(Subclass 116)
To summarize, with a Carer Visa Subclass 116 you can:
- Move to or remain in Australia as a permanent resident.
- Engage in employment and educational opportunities within Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia for a period of five years.
- Be outside Australia both when you apply for the visa and when a decision is made on your application.
- Receive sponsorship from your relative or their partner for your initial two years in Australia.
- Provide care for a relative or a member of their family residing with them, who lacks reasonable access to care options in Australia.
For an estimate of processing times, you can utilize the visa processing time guide tool, which provides information on recently processed applications. However, please be aware that this tool serves as a general guide and may not reflect the exact timeframe for your application.
For additional information, you can refer to the Other Family Visa Queue.
With Carer Visa you can
- 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)
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.
If you plan to travel beyond the initial 5-year period, you will need to apply for and obtain a Resident Return (RRV) 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. For more information on eligibility requirements and processing times for Australian citizenship, please refer to the relevant resources.
To determine the expiration date of your travel facility, you can check the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.
​How long you can stay
This visa is classified as permanent, granting you the right to reside in Australia indefinitely.
Regarding citizenship eligibility, your permanent residency commences on the day you enter Australia using Carer Visa.
Include family
When applying for Carer visa, you have the option to include members of your family unit in your application.
It’s important to note that all family members applying for the visa must meet the health and character requirements set by the immigration authorities.
Cost
The cost of this Carer Visa Subclass 116 starts from AUD2,055.00 for the main applicant, with an additional charge for each family member included in the application.
Payment for the visa is divided into two instalments, known as the first and second instalments. The first instalment is due upon application, while the second instalment is payable upon request from the immigration authorities.
In addition to the visa fees, there may be additional costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics for each applicant.
To estimate the total cost of your visa, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. However, please note that the estimator does not include the second instalment or other associated costs.
In cases of severe financial hardship, you may request a reduction of the second instalment to nil. However, this reduction will not be granted for any accompanying applicants. To request a reduction, you must submit a written request to the immigration authorities.
Apply from
You must be in Australia when you apply and when we decide your application.
Processing times
The demand for Other Family visas often exceeds the available quota each year, leading to potentially lengthy processing times for these applications.
To get an idea of processing times, you can utilize the visa processing time guide tool, which provides information on recently processed applications. However, please be aware that this tool serves as a general guide and may not reflect the exact timeframe for your application.
Several factors can contribute to delays in processing, including incomplete application forms, missing documents, or the need for additional information from you. Furthermore, if your information takes longer than usual to verify, it may prolong the processing time.
It’s essential to ensure the correct visa application charge is paid, as failure to do so can result in the inability to process your application. If this occurs, you will be notified, and if necessary, your application will be returned.
Applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing, which can impact processing times. For more information on Other Family Visa queues and processing priorities, please refer to the relevant resources.
Further insights into Migration Program outcomes and planning for each migration program year can be found in the Reports on Migration Programs.
Your obligations
Travel
You are permitted to travel to and from Australia for a period of 5 years starting from the date when the visa is granted. Following this 5-year period, you will be required to obtain a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or subclass 157) in order to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
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.