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Carer visa
(subclass 836) (onshore)
The Subclass 836 Visa is designed for onshore individuals who wish to provide long-term care to an Australian relative with a medical condition or disability. This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia to care for someone who has no reasonable access to care services within the country. Not only does this visa grant you permanent residency, but it also provides the opportunity to work, study, and access Medicare, which ensures you are covered under Australia’s public healthcare system. You can only apply for this visa through a paper application.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 836 Visa, there are several criteria you must meet:
Be in Australia: You must be in Australia when you apply and when a decision is made on your application.
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.
Who Can You Care For Under This Visa?
To be eligible for the Subclass 836 Visa, the person you are caring for must be:
An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident: The person you are caring for must be an immediate family member of yours, such as a parent, sibling, or child, who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Unable to Access Reasonable Care Options: The person must have a medical condition or a disability and must not have reasonable access to other care options in Australia. This condition is critical, as you need to prove that there is no suitable healthcare alternative available to the person in Australia.
In Need of Ongoing Care: You need to demonstrate that the person requires ongoing and substantial care and support, which you are capable of providing. This could be due to conditions such as chronic illness, injury, or a disability that limits their ability to care for themselves.
What is Involved in the Caregiving Requirement?
To successfully apply for the Subclass 836 Visa, you must prove that you can provide the care your relative or their family member needs. You’ll need to:
- Understand their medical condition: You must have a comprehensive understanding of your relative’s condition and how it affects their ability to care for themselves.
- Provide ongoing substantial care: The care you offer must be continuous and substantial. You should be ready to take responsibility for managing your relative’s needs, whether they be physical, medical, or emotional.
The Bupa Medical Certificate is an essential part of your application. This certificate verifies the relative’s condition and the care they require.
Additionally, you may need to show that your relative does not have access to reasonable alternative care options in Australia, such as community care or professional healthcare services. This ensures that the person you’re caring for genuinely needs your support.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 836 Visa
The Subclass 836 Visa offers several key benefits:
Permanent Residency: Once granted, this visa allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. You can live, work, and study without any restrictions.
Access to Medicare: As a permanent resident, you are eligible for Australia’s public healthcare system, which provides affordable health services.
Sponsorship Opportunities: This visa allows you to sponsor other family members to join you in Australia, which can lead to reunification with other loved ones.
You are allowed to travel to and from Australia as frequently as desired for a period of five years from the date this visa is granted, provided the travel facility remains valid.
Should you wish 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.
Alternatively, you may consider pursuing Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you won’t require a visa to enter the country. Instead, you will need to apply for an Australian passport and utilize it for your international travels. For detailed information regarding eligibility requirements and current processing times for Australian citizenship, please refer to the relevant resources.
To determine the expiration date of your travel facility, you can check VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
Application Process
The application process for the Subclass 836 Visa involves several important steps:
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 836 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 836 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 prepared and capable of offering continuous substantial care and ongoing support or assistance to your Australian relative in need of care, or their family member residing with them who requires care.
To demonstrate this, it’s essential for you to have a thorough understanding of your Australian relative’s medical condition and the specific care requirements they have. This understanding is crucial in showcasing your ability to provide the necessary level of care and support.
Have a sponsor
You are required to have an eligible sponsor to support your application for this visa. It’s important to note that the sponsorship must be approved by the immigration authorities.
Hold or have held a substantive visa
To be eligible for this visa, you must either hold any substantive visa, excluding a Transit visa (subclass 771), or have held any substantive visa (excluding subclass 771) and made a valid application for a subclass 836 visa within a specified timeframe.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You, as well as family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa alongside you, must satisfy our character requirement.
In some cases, 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 member have outstanding debts to the Australian Government, it is necessary to have either repaid the debt or established a formal arrangement for repayment.
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, you may not be eligible for this visa.
However, under certain circumstances, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa despite past visa cancellations or refusals. Please refer to the Limitations on applications in Australia section for more information.
If you are applying for a visa from outside Australia, please consult the Can I go to Australia section.
For assistance with your visa application, you can refer to the Who can help with your visa application section.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, there are specific requirements you must meet:
- You must have read the Life in Australia book or have its contents explained to you.
- You must sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your commitment to respecting the Australian way of life and adhering to 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.