The Australia Carer Visa (Subclass 116 & 836)
If you’re considering a move to Australia to provide care and support to a family member in need, you’re in the right place. Australia offers two visa subclasses, namely Subclass 836 and Subclass 116, designed specifically for individuals who wish to take on the role of a caregiver for their loved ones on Australian soil. This visa is intended for those who are willing and able to provide daily care to relatives with significant medical conditions or disabilities.
Subclass 116 is a visa option available for those outside of Australia (offshore) while lodging an application and when the visa is granted. Subclass 836, on the other hand, is a visa option for those who are already in Australia (onshore) while filing an application and when the visa is granted, and this also applies to family members listed as dependents in the visa application.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for Australia Carer Visa?
From the Applicant, you are eligible for a Carer visa if;
- You are sponsored by a relative or a relative’s family member who requires care.
- You possess the ability to provide proper care for your relative.
- The visa applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Except for a transit visa 771 (which is required for subclass 836), you hold a substantive visa.
- You possessed a valid visa and applied for subclass 836 within the allowed deadline (just for 836 visa applications).
- The visa applicant must be the relative of the one who requires care, such as parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. They must have substantial evidence of their relationship.
From the Sponsor:
- You must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- You must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
- Throughout the caregiver’s visit in Australia, you must be ready and able to provide for their financial needs.
- You must not have sponsored anyone else for a Carer Visa in the last five years.
General Eligibility;
- Be sponsored by an eligible relative in Australia.
- The sponsor must have a medical condition or disability that requires substantial care.
- You, as the applicant, must be willing and able to provide this care.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Ensure that adequate health insurance is in place during your stay in Australia.
Document Requirements for Visa Applicants of Carer Visa
- Carer visa application form: When applying for a Carer visa, you must fill out the visa form and attach it along with the rest of your documentation.
- Photographs for visa application: You and any other family members who apply with you must provide four pictures in accordance with the Department’s specifications.
- When applying for a Carer visa, you must have a valid passport. You may also be requested to provide a copy of your ID card as well as other documentation proving your identity and name change (if applicable).
- Documentation from the Sponsor: You may also be requested to present documentation verifying your familial tie with your sponsor, as well as your sponsor’s identification and financial records.
- Sponsorship Form: This form must be completed and returned to you by your sponsor so that it may be included in your visa application.
- Medical certificate: Your sponsor must present you with a medical certificate proving that they require your services as a caregiver. If the exam has not yet been administered, you must provide confirmation that the assessment process has been planned.
- Evidence of your good character: In addition to police certificates and other papers, you must submit Forms 80 and 1221 to demonstrate your good character.
- Documents for your coworker. Make sure you give a copy of your partner’s passport, identity documents, character documents, and marriage certificate or verification of legal cooperation.
- Documents for dependents over the age of 18: If you are applying with dependents over the age of 18, give documentation demonstrating that they are financially dependent on you and unable to work due to mental or physical impairments. You must also present their identity and character records.
- Documents for dependents under the age of 18: Provide identity documents, proof of your relationship with them, and character documents (if required) for dependents under the age of 18.
- Support Forms: If someone assists you with your application, submit Form 956a.
Further information is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Application Process for Carer Visa in Australia
Applying for the Australia Carer Visa involves several key steps:
- Sponsorship
Your eligible relative in Australia must be willing to sponsor you. They will need to submit an application, demonstrating that they require substantial care due to a medical condition or disability.
- Determine your eligibility
Before applying for a Carer Visa, be sure you fulfill all of the eligibility conditions. Age, health, character, relationship with the individual in need of care, evidence of giving substantial and ongoing care, financial requirements, and sponsorship are among the conditions.
- Visa Application
Once sponsorship is approved, you can submit your visa application. You will need to provide evidence of your relationship with the sponsor, your ability to provide care, and your health and character requirements.
- Pay the application fee
After you fill out the application form, you must pay the application money. The fee varies based on the type of visa you apply for and where you live. The charge can be paid online or via bank transfer.
- Submit your application
You can submit your application once you are done with the application form and pay the fee. This can be done either online or with a paper application. Include all of the documents required to support your application.
After submitting your application, you must wait for the result. Your application’s status can also be viewed online.
How Much is a Carer Visa?
Australia Carer Visas costs AUD $2,065. The second installment of AUD $2,065 for each person named on the application may be waived if the Minister of Home Affairs finds that payment of the second installment has caused or is likely to cause severe financial hardship to the applicant or the person for whom the applicant is caring.
How Long is Carer Visa Processing Time?
Based on current planning levels and the allocation of the majority of Other Family category places to Carer visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs figures that Carer visa applications that meet the criteria to be queued will take around seven years to be released for final processing.
Further information is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
FAQs on Australia Carer Visa
Q: Can I work or study while holding an Australia Carer Visa?
Ans: Yes, both Subclass 836 and Subclass 116 visa holders can work and study in Australia during their stay.
Q: What documents are required to prove the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant?
Ans: You will need to provide documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or evidence of a de facto relationship to establish the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.
Q: What benefits does Medicare provide to Australia Carer Visa holders?
Ans: Medicare offers access to essential healthcare services, including doctor’s visits and hospital care, for Australia Carer Visa holders and their family members.
Q: Are there any specific requirements for the character assessment?
Ans: You must provide police clearance certificates from all countries you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last ten years as part of the character assessment.
Q: Can the Australia Carer Visa lead to Australian citizenship?
Ans: Yes, Subclass 836 Carer Visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Q: Is it possible to include multiple eligible relatives under one Carer Visa application, or do I need to submit separate applications for each relative?
Ans: You can include multiple eligible relatives under one Carer Visa application, provided they all meet the criteria for substantial care. This can simplify the application process for families with multiple members in need of care.
Q: What happens if my Carer Visa expires while I am still providing care to my eligible relative in Australia?
Ans: If your Carer Visa expires while you are still providing care, you should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires to ensure continuity of care. Leaving Australia after your visa expires may affect your ability to return.
Q: Can I travel outside of Australia and return while holding a Carer Visa, and are there any travel restrictions?
Ans: Yes, you can travel outside Australia and return during the validity of your Carer Visa. However, you should ensure that you meet the visa’s requirements upon your return, such as having a valid visa and meeting health and character requirements.