Carer Visa (Subclass 836)
Carer visas are permanent family visas for people who need to provide ongoing care to an Australian relative, or an eligible member of that relative’s family, because of a long-term medical condition and a lack of reasonable access to care in Australia.
Subclass 836 is the onshore pathway, while Subclass 116 is for people seeking to move to Australia to provide the required care.
Professional, Personalised Migration Support
Why Choose Us for Carer Visas (Subclass 116 & 836)
Visa Route Migration is led by Registered Migration Agent Rose Khangura, MARN 2619247. Rose holds a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law & Practice from Victoria University and has two years of experience in migration and visa services, including practical work with visa files, documentation and application preparation.
Carer visa matters require careful consideration of the applicant’s circumstances, the person requiring care, sponsorship arrangements and the evidence relevant to the proposed caring relationship. Visa Route Migration takes an individual approach, with clear discussion of potential requirements, limitations and the issues that may need closer professional assessment.
The level of assistance can depend on what you need. An agreed engagement may involve professional migration advice, document or application review, assistance with a particular application stage, or broader application support. This allows the scope to reflect the circumstances rather than assuming every Carer visa applicant requires the same service.
Rose can communicate with clients in English, Punjabi and Hindi. Assistance with Australian migration matters is available to clients throughout Australia and, where relevant to the offshore Subclass 116 pathway, people located overseas.
Carer Visa Pathways
The appropriate Carer visa pathway is strongly affected by where the applicant is located and the requirements of the relevant subclass. The two pathways share the underlying purpose of enabling an eligible relative to provide necessary ongoing care, but their location requirements differ.
Onshore Carer Visa
Offshore Carer Visa
Onshore Carer Visa Subclass 836
The Subclass 836 Carer visa is the onshore pathway for an applicant who is in Australia and proposes to provide ongoing substantial care and support to an eligible Australian relative, or in qualifying circumstances a member of that relative’s family who lives with them. The person needing care must have the relevant long-term medical condition and no reasonable access to care options in Australia.
Location is particularly important for Subclass 836. The applicant must be in Australia when applying and when the Department makes its decision. There are also requirements concerning the substantive visa the applicant holds or previously held. Anyone whose current visa has expired, is approaching expiry, or whose immigration history includes a refusal or cancellation should avoid assuming that the ordinary pathway automatically applies to them.
The care requirement must also be supported by appropriate evidence. Home Affairs requires the relevant Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment, together with written evidence addressing the lack of reasonable access to care in Australia. Carer visa applications use the applicable paper application process, although eligible paper applications can now be imported into ImmiAccount after lodgement so documents, messages and certain application functions can be managed online.
Visa Route Migration can consider the circumstances of an onshore Carer visa matter and provide an agreed level of professional assistance. Depending on the engagement, this may include advice, document or application review, assistance with supporting evidence or broader application preparation and support.
I was already in Australia and wanted professional guidance on whether the Subclass 836 Carer visa was relevant to my family situation. There were several things I needed to understand, including the caring requirement, sponsorship and supporting evidence. Having my circumstances considered individually helped me identify the issues that needed attention and the information that would be important before deciding how to proceed.
Subclass 836 Guidance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My family was trying to understand the Carer visa requirements because a relative in Australia had an ongoing medical condition and needed substantial assistance. I wanted more than a general explanation because our circumstances involved both the person requiring care and the proposed carer. Visa Route Migration helped me work through the relevant visa considerations and understand where further documents and professional assessment were needed.
Carer Visa Requirements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I was unsure about the difference between the onshore Subclass 836 and offshore Subclass 116 Carer visas. My main concern was understanding which pathway applied to my location and circumstances before taking further steps. The guidance helped me distinguish between the two options and focus on the requirements relevant to my situation rather than trying to interpret general visa information on my own.
Carer Visa Pathways
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The medical evidence requirement was one of the areas I found difficult to understand when looking into a Carer visa. I wanted to know how my Australian relative’s care needs fitted into the migration process and what supporting information could be relevant. The assistance I received helped me understand the role of the required medical assessment and the other evidence that needed to be considered.
Carer Visa Medical Evidence
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I contacted Visa Route Migration because I wanted my Carer visa documentation reviewed before progressing further. I had already gathered a number of documents but was uncertain about how they related to the visa requirements and whether there were areas that needed closer attention. The review gave me a clearer understanding of the application issues I needed to address and the next steps available to me.
Carer Visa Document Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our concern was not simply whether a family member had a medical condition. We needed to understand how the need for ongoing care, the availability of care in Australia and the proposed caring arrangement were considered together. Discussing these points in the context of our circumstances helped us understand why Carer visa matters can require detailed evidence rather than relying on the family relationship alone.
Ongoing Care Requirements
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I was exploring the offshore Carer visa because I was outside Australia and wanted to understand the pathway for moving to Australia to care for my relative. There were questions around sponsorship, the caring requirement and the supporting material involved. Having professional guidance helped me organise the issues more clearly and understand which parts of the matter required evidence or further assessment before proceeding.
Offshore Carer Visa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I appreciated being able to discuss the level of professional help I actually needed rather than assuming I had to use the same service package as every other applicant. My questions were mainly about the Carer visa requirements and my supporting documents. Understanding that assistance could be agreed according to the particular matter made it easier for me to decide what professional support was appropriate for my circumstances.
Tailored Migration Assistance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Carer Visa Questions Answered
What is a Carer visa?
A Carer visa is a permanent Australian family visa for an eligible person who will provide ongoing care to an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition, or in certain circumstances a qualifying member of that relative’s family. A central requirement is that the person needing care does not have reasonable access to appropriate care options in Australia.
What is the difference between Subclass 836 and 116?
Subclass 836 is the onshore Carer visa. The applicant must be in Australia when applying and when the Department decides the application. Subclass 116 is the corresponding pathway for a person seeking to move to Australia to provide care, and the applicant must be outside Australia when that visa is granted.
Who can the applicant provide care for?
The caring relationship may involve an Australian relative of the applicant who requires care or, subject to the applicable requirements, a member of that relative’s family who lives with them and needs the care. The relevant Australian relative must fall within the citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizen requirements applying to the visa.
What level of care is required?
The Department states that a Carer visa applicant must be willing and able to provide ongoing substantial care and continuing support or assistance. The applicant should understand the medical condition involved and the person’s care needs. A family relationship or desire to provide general help does not by itself establish that the visa requirements are met.
Is a Bupa medical assessment required?
Yes. The person requiring care must undergo the relevant assessment through Bupa Medical Visa Services. Evidence that the assessment process has at least commenced is required for a Carer visa application, and the resulting medical certificate addresses the medical condition and level of care required.
Does a Carer visa need sponsorship?
Yes. An eligible sponsor is required and the sponsorship must be approved. Depending on the circumstances and relevant subclass requirements, sponsorship may involve the Australian relative requiring care or an eligible spouse or de facto partner of that relative. The exact sponsorship position should be checked against the individual family circumstances.
Can I apply for Subclass 836 in Australia?
Subclass 836 is specifically an onshore pathway. The applicant must be in Australia when the application is made and when the visa is decided. There are also requirements concerning the substantive visa the applicant holds or previously held, so being physically present in Australia does not by itself establish eligibility.
Can family members be included?
Members of the applicant’s family unit may be included where the relevant requirements are met. Family members applying with the primary applicant are also subject to applicable requirements, including health and character requirements. The position can vary according to the family member’s circumstances, age and dependency.
How long does a Carer visa take?
Carer visas form part of the Other Family visa program and are subject to capping and queueing. Home Affairs states that demand is greater than the number of places available each year, which can result in lengthy processing. Published processing information is indicative rather than a guarantee for an individual application.
What costs can be involved?
Government visa application charges apply and are paid in instalments for these visas. Other expenses may include matters such as health examinations, police certificates or biometrics where required. Professional fees for migration assistance are separate. Current government charges and the professional scope required should be confirmed for the particular matter before proceeding.
Can general information confirm my eligibility?
No. Carer visa eligibility depends on the applicable migration requirements and the facts and evidence relating to the applicant, sponsor, family relationship, medical condition, care needs and access to care. Previous immigration history may also affect some applicants. A formal professional assessment may be appropriate where detailed eligibility advice is required.
Phone Number
0450 337 213
Business Location
4 Handsome Ave, Clyde North VIC 3978, Australia
E-Mail ID
[email protected]Discuss Your Carer Visa
If you are considering a Carer visa and need help understanding how Subclass 836 or Subclass 116 may relate to your circumstances, book a free initial consultation with Visa Route Migration. The initial discussion can help identify the general nature of your enquiry, what you are seeking assistance with and possible next steps. Where detailed eligibility advice is required, a formal professional assessment or further engagement may be appropriate.
Offshore Carer Visa Subclass 116
The Subclass 116 Carer visa addresses the closely related situation where the proposed carer is seeking to move to Australia to care for an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition who does not have reasonable access to care options in Australia. It is a permanent visa pathway and remains distinct from Subclass 836 because of the applicant’s location requirements.
The applicant must meet the Carer visa requirements concerning the caring relationship and approved sponsorship. The medical assessment and evidence concerning the need for care remain important parts of establishing the basis of the application. Because the offshore pathway has different location requirements from Subclass 836, applicants should identify the appropriate subclass before preparing an application rather than treating the two Carer visas as interchangeable.
Visa Route Migration can assist clients located overseas where their matter concerns Australian migration. The professional scope can be agreed according to the circumstances, including advice, review work, assistance with a particular stage or broader application assistance where appropriate.
Carer Visa Suitability Snapshot
| Check | What To Know | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 836 | Onshore Carer visa | Applicant must be in Australia when applying and when decided |
| Subclass 116 | Offshore Carer visa | Applicant must be outside Australia when the visa is granted |
| Care Need | Ongoing substantial care and support | Central to the Carer visa pathway |
| Medical Assessment | Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment | Supports evidence about the required level of care |
| Care Availability | No reasonable access to care in Australia | Forms part of the relevant care requirements |
| Sponsorship | Approved eligible sponsor required | Must fit the relevant family circumstances |
| Individual Circumstances | Location alone does not confirm eligibility | Other requirements and immigration history may matter |
Practical Checks Before a Subclass 836 Carer Visa Application
A few details are worth clarifying early so you can focus on the issues that actually matter to your Carer visa circumstances.
Being in Australia Is Only the First Check
Subclass 836 requires the applicant to be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided. Your current or previous substantive visa and immigration history may also affect whether the onshore pathway is available.
Raise Visa Expiry or Previous Decisions Early
If your current visa is approaching expiry, has expired, or your immigration history includes a refusal or cancellation, mention this when you first discuss the matter. These circumstances may require individual assessment rather than assumptions about the usual pathway.
Prepare the Care Circumstances, Not Just the Diagnosis
Be ready to explain the ongoing substantial care or support required, how the medical condition affects those care needs, and the circumstances surrounding access to suitable care in Australia. The family relationship alone does not establish the Carer visa requirements.
Know Where the Bupa Assessment Stands
The person requiring care must undergo the relevant assessment through Bupa Medical Visa Services. Evidence that this assessment process has at least commenced is required for a Carer visa application, so its status is an important preparation point.
Expect a Paper Application First
Carer visa applications use the applicable paper application process. After lodgement, eligible paper applications can be imported into ImmiAccount so documents, messages and certain application functions can be managed online.
Bring Enough Detail to Identify the Right Next Step
For an initial discussion, have your visa and immigration history, family relationship, proposed sponsorship, care circumstances and available supporting information in mind. A free initial consultation can help identify the enquiry and possible next steps, but detailed eligibility advice may require a formal professional assessment.
Whose Circumstances Matter in a Subclass 836 Carer Visa?
A Subclass 836 Carer visa is not assessed by looking at the proposed carer alone. Different requirements and evidence can relate to the applicant, the person requiring care, the sponsor and, where applicable, family members included with the applicant.
The Subclass 836 Applicant
The applicant must be in Australia when the Subclass 836 application is made and when the Department decides the visa. Relevant current or previous substantive visa circumstances and immigration history may also affect the position.
The applicant must also be willing and able to provide the required ongoing substantial care, support or assistance.
The Person Requiring Care
The care recipient’s circumstances are central to the application. The relevant medical condition, the level of care required and reasonable access to suitable care in Australia all form part of the matters that need to be addressed.
The person requiring care must undergo the relevant assessment through Bupa Medical Visa Services.
The Eligible Sponsor
A Carer visa requires an eligible sponsor and the sponsorship must be approved. Depending on the relevant requirements and family circumstances, the sponsorship position may involve the Australian relative requiring care or an eligible spouse or de facto partner of that relative.
The appropriate sponsorship arrangement should be considered against the actual family circumstances rather than assumed in advance.
Family Members Included With the Applicant
Members of the applicant’s family unit may be included where the relevant requirements are met. Their individual circumstances can also matter rather than their position being determined automatically by the primary applicant.
Applicable considerations may include health and character requirements as well as the family member’s age and dependency circumstances.
How a Subclass 836 Carer Visa Matter May Move Forward
There is no single identical sequence for every Carer visa matter. The steps required can depend on the applicant’s immigration position, the caring circumstances, sponsorship, supporting evidence and the professional assistance being used. A Subclass 836 matter may involve the following stages.
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Starting Position
Clarify the Subclass 836 Onshore Position
The applicant needs to be in Australia when applying for Subclass 836 and when the Department makes its decision. Relevant current or previous substantive visa circumstances and immigration history may also need closer consideration before assuming the onshore pathway is available.
This is particularly important where a visa has expired, is approaching expiry, or the immigration history includes a refusal or cancellation.
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Evidence
Bring the Care, Medical and Sponsorship Issues Together
Preparation needs to address more than the existence of a medical condition. Relevant matters include the required level of ongoing care or support, the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment, evidence concerning reasonable access to care in Australia and the applicable sponsorship arrangements.
These are connected parts of the same Carer visa matter and should be considered against the actual family and caring circumstances.
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Professional Scope
Determine What Assistance Is Actually Required
Where professional assistance is sought, the scope does not have to be identical for every applicant. Depending on the matter and agreed engagement, assistance may involve professional advice, document or application review, help with a particular stage, supporting evidence or broader application assistance.
Detailed eligibility or visa-options advice may require formal professional assessment rather than relying on general website information.
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Application
Prepare and Lodge the Paper Application
Carer visa applications use the applicable paper application process. The relevant forms, supporting documents and evidence therefore need to be prepared for the required lodgement method rather than assuming that Subclass 836 begins as a standard online visa application.
The documents required and the amount of professional preparation or review needed can depend on the circumstances of the particular matter.
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After Lodgement
Manage the Application While It Remains Under Consideration
After lodgement, eligible paper applications can be imported into ImmiAccount so documents, messages and certain application functions can be managed online. The Subclass 836 applicant must also remain mindful of the requirement to be in Australia when the Department decides the application.
Carer visas are subject to capping and queueing. Published processing information is indicative and should not be treated as a guaranteed timeframe for an individual application.