Carer Visa – Subclass 836 & 116

Overview – What is a Carer Visa?

The Carer Visa allows someone to live in Australia permanently to care for or assist an Australian relative (or their family member) who has a long-term medical condition and requires ongoing support.
 
There are two subclasses:

  • Subclass 116 – for carers applying from outside Australia

  • Subclass 836 – for carers applying from within Australia

 
This visa is for those who provide substantial care that is not reasonably available from any other relative or Australian health or welfare services.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for either subclass, the applicant must:

  • Be willing and able to provide ongoing, substantial care

  • Be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative

  • The person needing care must:

    • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen

    • Have a permanent medical condition that causes functional impairment

    • Have no reasonable access to care from any other source

 
A medical assessment will be arranged through Bupa Medical Visa Services to confirm the need for care.

Who Can Sponsor?

The sponsor must:

  • Be 18 years or older

  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • Be a relative of the applicant, or

  • Be a relative of the person who requires care

Important Conditions

  • This is a permanent visa – it allows indefinite stay in Australia

  • Applicants must meet health and character requirements

  • Family members can be included in the application

  • There is often a long waiting time due to demand and capping

  • There are no age limits for applicants

Onshore vs Offshore

  • Apply from inside Australia?

    • Subclass 116 (Offshore): ❌ No

    • Subclass 836 (Onshore): ✅ Yes

  • Bridging visa granted?

    • Subclass 116 (Offshore): ❌ No

    • Subclass 836 (Onshore): ✅ Yes (if eligible)

  • Work rights during processing?

    • Subclass 116 (Offshore): ❌ Not applicable

    • Subclass 836 (Onshore): ✅ If Bridging Visa has rights

FAQs – Carer Visas 116 & 836

1. Who is the carer visa for?

For individuals who want to move to Australia to personally care for a relative with a serious, long-term medical condition.

Subclass 116 is for offshore applicants, while Subclass 836 is for those already in Australia.

Yes, once granted, both subclasses allow full work rights and access to Medicare.

Yes, there may be long queues and processing delays due to visa capping and high demand.

No formal qualifications are required, but you must be willing and able to provide substantial daily care.

You are only eligible if care cannot be reasonably provided by another relative or community service in Australia.

📞 Need Help With a Carer Visa?

Applying for a Carer Visa involves medical assessments, documentation, and clear proof of the care situation. At Abbasi Migration & Citizenship Services, we help families bring their loved ones to Australia with compassionate, expert support.

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