What the Carer Visa Grants
Both the subclass 116 and subclass 836 are permanent visas. On grant, the holder has an indefinite right to live in Australia, work without restriction, and access Medicare. The visa also provides a 5-year travel facility and places the holder on the pathway to Australian citizenship after 4 years of lawful residence (including 12 months as a permanent resident).
Permanent residence
Indefinite right to live in Australia with full work rights and access to Medicare from the date of grant.
Onshore or offshore
Subclass 836 is for applicants already in Australia; subclass 116 is for applicants outside Australia at the time of grant. The eligibility criteria are the same.
Family members included
A spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included in the same application as secondary applicants.
Eligibility Requirements
The Carer visa has four core requirements. All must be satisfied — the Department assesses each of them on the evidence provided.
1. A relative in Australia needs substantial care
The visa applicant must have an Australian relative (citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen) who has a long-term or permanent medical condition that genuinely requires substantial ongoing personal care. The condition must significantly limit the relative's ability to perform normal activities of daily life.
2. Care cannot be provided by existing Australian sources
The required care must not be reasonably available from other Australian family members already living in Australia, and must not be adequately available from Australian community services or care facilities. If existing services or other relatives can provide equivalent care, the criterion is not met.
3. The applicant is willing and able to provide the care
The applicant (the proposed carer) must be willing and able to move to Australia and provide the required care. The Department may consider the applicant's qualifications, experience, or personal relationship with the relative in assessing this requirement.
4. Health and character requirements
All applicants — primary and secondary — must meet standard Australian health requirements (medical examination at a Department-approved panel physician) and character requirements (police clearances from each country lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years).
Demonstrating the Care Need
The care need is the central and most carefully assessed criterion of the Carer visa. Evidence must demonstrate both the nature of the medical condition and the level of ongoing care it requires.
Types of evidence
Common pitfalls
The Departmental Medical Assessment
The Carer visa involves a separate medical assessment process for the Australian relative — this is distinct from the standard health examination that the visa applicant must undergo.
Who is assessed
It is the Australian relative (the person needing care) who undergoes the Departmental medical assessment — not the visa applicant (the carer). The assessment is of the relative's medical condition and care needs.
Who conducts the assessment
The Department of Home Affairs appoints a medical officer to assess the relative's condition and care needs. This is a separate process from the standard panel physician health examination. The outcome of this assessment determines whether the care need criterion is satisfied for the visa application.
What the assessment considers
The assessment considers the nature and severity of the medical condition, the level of ongoing care required, and whether the care need can reasonably be provided by Australian community services or other Australian relatives. The medical officer may request additional evidence or specialist reports.
The applicant still needs a health examination
The visa applicant (carer) must also undergo their own standard health examination at a Department-approved panel physician. This is in addition to the relative's care-need assessment — both are required as part of the application process.
Sponsor and Relative Requirements
The sponsor
The sponsor for a Carer visa application is typically the Australian relative who needs the care — though in some circumstances another eligible Australian relative may act as sponsor. The sponsor must be:
The relative in Australia
The Australian relative whose care need supports the visa application is broadly defined. Eligible relationships include:
The Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.