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Carer visa Australia
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The Carer visa (subclass 836 and subclass 116) is a permanent Australian visa designed to allow families to reside in Australia to care for someone they are related to who has a long-term or permanent medical condition but does not have viable access to care options.
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What is the carer visa (subclass 116/836)?
The Carer (subclass 116 visa or subclass 838 visa) enables individuals to relocate to Australia to provide care for a family member or relative with a long-term medical condition who lacks reasonable access to alternative care options in Australia.
This visa category encompasses both onshore (subclass 838) and offshore (subclass 116) applications. The following details pertain to both subclasses, differing only in the applicant’s location (either within or outside Australia) at the time of the application and decision.
Should applicants require assistance with a Carer visa application, an Australian Migration Agent can provide help, support and advice during the Australian visa process at a time that can be stressful and overwhelming for carers and relatives alike
Eligibility requirements for a carer visa
There is eligibility criteria for both the carer and sponsor for a Carer visa (subclass 116 and 836)
In order to be considered an eligible carer, the carer must:
- Be willing and capable to provide continuous significant care and assistance to the sponsoring relative or the family member who resides with them
- The carer should have a full understanding of the sponsor’s permanent medical conditions as well as a clear understanding of their care needs
- If onshore, must hold or have held any substantive visa (not a bridging visa) except a Transit (subclass 711) visa
- Meet the health and character requirements
- Not owe outstanding debts to the Australian government (or have made arrangement for any outstanding debts)
- Have signed the Australian values statement
In order to be an eligible sponsor, the sponsor must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Benefits of a carer visa
A Carer visa primarily allows a person to live in Australia permanently in order to provide support and the necessary care to a relative who is otherwise unable to receive this in Australia.
Other benefits of a Carer visa include
- Enter Australia and remain in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme (Medicare)
- Leave and enter Australia as many times as they like for up to five years (after five years a Resident Return visa is required)
- Sponsor relatives to come to Australia
- Apply to become an Australian citizen
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Carer visa checklist
Applicants for a Carer visa must provide a large amount of evidence and supporting documents. All documentation must be submitted by mail, not online. The following documentation is essential to include for any Carer visa application.
Applicants should be aware that the Department will consider if they have ever had a valid visa cancelled.
Complete documentation is crucial for any application as it enhances the applicant’s prospects of success. Furthermore, incomplete applications often result in significant process delay, especially since submission must be made via the mail to the Parent, Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth. For guidance through this arduous process, applicants can seek the help of an Australian Migration Agent who has lots of experience undertaking this process.
- Birth certificate
- Valid Passport
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Medical examination
- Bupa medical certificate for the sponsor (from Bupa Medical Visa Services)
- Police clearance certificates
- Australian values statement
- The sponsor must provide financial evidence to show that they can support their carer
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How the carer visa works?
The processing of a Carer visa happens in several stages. After a carer has confirmed their eligibility and the eligibility of their sponsor, applicants are required to complete the application form, submit the relevant documents and pay the visa application fee. As neither in-person or online applications are accepted, the visa application form and accompanying documents must be sent via post to the Department of Home Affairs processing centre. Subsequently, after an application has been received, the Department of Home Affairs may request further information from the applicant. Once a decision has been made, the applicant will be notified. If the application is approved, the visa grant details, starting date and any additional visa conditions (such as the requirement to obey Australian laws) will be provided. Conversely, rejected applicants will receive an explanation for their refusal and relevant information regarding available review pathways.
Future visa pathways
If a visa is granted, one of the benefits of a Carer visa is that the permanent visa lets the applicant be considered an Australian permanent resident and can access the full range of benefits available ordinarily to Australian permanent residents. Additionally, should the applicant wish to, they can choose to pursue Australian citizenship. Most importantly, the visa allows the applicant to come to Australia and care for the family member who needs someone to provide ongoing substantial care due to a long term medical condition.
Benefits of a carer visa
An Australian Migration Agent is experienced in supporting and assisting applicants in the process of applying for many different visas, including a Carer visa. Applicants can undertake this process alone, however, there are clear advantages when involving Australian Migration Agents.
- Not only can an Australian Migration Agent can help an applicant provide evidence and the required documents, but also ensure that any delays or mistakes are avoided.
- From the initial assessment of eligibility to the final submission of the Carer visa, an Australian Migration Agent is committed to providing a client with the necessary assistance to alleviate the stress and anxiety of moving to Australia to care for a loved one.
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Carer visa costs
When applying for a Carer visa, there are two main costs incurred.
Our professional fees are charged based on the specific circumstances of your application. As cases can range in complexity, this is referenced in the fees that are quoted to clients. Australian Migration Agents work on a fixed-fee basis to ensure transparency regarding the total cost of a Carer visa application. Additionally, at Australian Migration Agents, we offer payment plans to your specific needs, giving you flexibility.
At the time of writing, the Department charges $2055 in relation to either of the Carer visas. This is payable upfront, however split payments cannot be made. The Department accepts payment through a variety of methods, including debit/credit card, PayPal, UnionPay and BPAY. Applicants should also budget for expenses like health checks, police certificates and biometrics. For more information about the cost of making a visa application, applicants can refer to the Department’s website.
Australian visa application steps
The application process can be a complex and time-consuming journey, with strict eligibility criteria and a certain amount of evidence required to support your application. A registered migration agent can help you gather the correct documents and improve your chances of visa success.
Step 1
Initial consultation
Book a free consultation with one of our registered migration agents, where we’ll discuss your situation and see how we can help you move forward.
Step 2
Application preparation & submission
Your Australia visa agent will prepare a submission to support your application, tailored to your unique situation and backed by all the documents required. Once completed, we’ll submit your application to the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
Step 3
Visa outcome
We’ll be in touch once the Department has come to a decision. If the application isn’t granted, we can appeal on your behalf.
Carer visa processing times using Australian migration agents
Predicting the time it takes for a Carer visa to be processed is challenging due to the varying demand and supply of visa places. Furthermore, delays often can lead to applications taking longer than otherwise expected, especially when an application is incomplete, lacks essential information, requires further verification, includes mistakes or if the correct visa application charge has not been provided. Should applicants have difficulty in ensuring that they have a complete application and to minimise any potential delays, an Australian Migration Agent can aid applicants in fulfilling any requirements and addressing further requests from the Department.
Carer visa considerations: Timing & location
Due to the stringent eligibility requirements, risk of delays stemming from insufficient applications and the differences between the Carer visa subclasses, applicants should consider if this visa type is the most appropriate one for their circumstances. Furthermore, applicants should be aware that their application is not guaranteed to result in a visa as it is subject to the consideration and discretion of the Department. Applicants that believe they require further guidance or support should contact Australian Migration Agents, as we are committed to offering help to applicants during the entire application process.
Australia-wide services
Our skilled team offers in-person and virtual appointments, which means we can provide immigration assistance and advice regardless of where you live in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Read our most commonly asked questions about the subclass 116/836 visas
Who is eligible for carer visa in Australia?
A person’s eligibility can vary for a variety of reasons but generally if someone is eligible as a carer for a eligible sponsor suffering from a long-term medical condition who does not have reasonable access to care, they will preliminarily be eligible for a Carer visa
How do I get a carer visa in Australia?
To get this visa, the applicant must fill out the relevant application form and collate all other relevant information before submitting these through the mail to the Department’s processing centre. Applicants should be aware of what visa they should apply for based on their location.
What is the age limit for a carer visa in Australia?
While there is no age limit for applying for a Carer visa in Australia, applicants are required to be over the age of 18 years old.
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