Subclass 116 Carer Visa​

Get your subclass 116 carer visa and move to Australia to care for someone with a long-term medical condition. This is a permanent visa that allows applicants to move to or stay in Australia as permanent residents. With this visa, you can work and study in Australia and also travel to and from Australia for 5 years

Stepping Stones Career Solutions is dedicated to making your immigration journey smooth and stress-free. If you have a family member in Australia who requires significant and ongoing medical care, the Subclass 116 Carer Visa can help you reunite with them and provide the essential support they need. This visa allows eligible applicants to live in Australia permanently and offer full-time care to a relative who has a long-term medical condition or disability.

Overview of Subclass 116 Carer Visa

The Subclass 116 Carer Visa is designed for individuals outside Australia who wish to move to the country to care for a relative who lacks adequate care arrangements. This visa grants permanent residency and enables applicants to live, work, and study in Australia while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities.

Required Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Carer Visa Subclass 836, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Sponsorship Requirements

  • You must be sponsored by an eligible relative (or partner), an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

  • The sponsorship must be approved by the Australian government.

2. Care Requirements

  • The person you are caring for must have a long-term or permanent medical condition that requires substantial and ongoing assistance.

  • A medical assessment from Bupa Medical Visa Services must confirm that they cannot access reasonable care in Australia from another source (such as community services or family members).

  • The care you provide must be substantial, ongoing, and in-person.

3. Relationship to the Person Needing Care

  • The person requiring care must be your parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew (or their partner).

4. Health & Character Requirements

  • You and any family members applying with you must meet Australian health and character requirements (this includes police checks).

5. No Other Reasonable Care Available

  • The Department of Home Affairs must determine that no other person or government/community services can provide the required care.

Additional Considerations

  • This visa has a long processing time, often several years, due to high demand.
  • You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted. If you are outside Australia, then carer subclass 116 and 836 visas​ should be compared to know which will suit you. Basically, carer subclass 836 is for applicants in Australia while subclass 116 carer visa is for applicants outside Australia.

Subclass 116 Processing Time​

Processing times for the Subclass 116 Carer Visa can vary based on application complexity and individual circumstances. On average, it may take 4 to 7 years due to the high demand and limited quota allocated for this visa category. Ensuring all documents are correctly submitted can help prevent unnecessary delays. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool.

Subclass 116 Conditions​

  1. Check your eligibility – Ensure you meet all the requirements.

  2. Obtain a medical assessment – Your relative in Australia must undergo a medical examination through Bupa Medical Visa Services.

  3. Prepare required documents – Gather and verify necessary paperwork (see below).

  4. Lodge your application – Submit your visa application online or through an immigration consultant.

  5. Await processing and decision – The Department of Home Affairs will review your application and may request further information.

  6. Receive your visa grant – If approved, you will receive your permanent visa and can move to Australia to care for your relative.

Carer Subclass 116 and 836 Visas​

Career subclass 166 and 836 visas are quite similar. Australia’s Carer visas (Subclass 116 and 836) allow eligible individuals to move to Australia permanently to care for a relative who has a long-term medical condition and lacks access to adequate care in the country. These visas provide a pathway for family members to support their loved ones while securing permanent residency in Australia.

Key difference:

Common Reasons for Carer Subclass 116 Visa Rejection

Some common reasons applications get refused include:

Why Choose Stepping Stones Career Solutions?

At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, we understand that the visa process can be overwhelming. Our experienced immigration consultants are here to guide you through every step, ensuring your Subclass 116 Carer Visa application is accurate, complete, and submitted without delays.
Let us help you reunite with your loved ones in Australia! Contact Stepping Stones Career Solutions today to start your Subclass 116 Carer Visa application.
FAQs on Carer Subclass 116
The Carer Visa (Subclass 116) is a permanent visa that allows someone to move to Australia to provide care for a relative with a long-term medical condition. The person needing care must have no reasonable access to other care options in Australia.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative.
  • Provide care for a relative with a medical condition that significantly impacts their daily life.
  • Meet health, character, and other visa requirements.
Yes, if you hold a visa that permits work, such as a Carer Visa (Subclass 116) or a skilled work visa. However, the Carer Visa is primarily for family members providing unpaid care rather than professional caregivers.
To apply, you need to complete Form 47OF (Application for Migration to Australia by Other Family Members) and Form 40 (Sponsorship for Migration to Australia). These forms are available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

If you’re asking about eligibility to work as a caregiver in Australia, you typically need:

  • A relevant visa that allows work, such as a Skilled Worker Visa, Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482), or a Student Visa with work rights.
  • Relevant qualifications in aged care, disability support, or nursing (e.g., Certificate III in Individual Support).
  • English proficiency (may be required for some visas or jobs).
  • A police clearance and possibly a Working with Children Check, depending on the role.
The cost of subclass 116 carer visa is AUD 2,115. The additional cost may be applicable.