Overview
Subclass 116 (offshore) and 836 (onshore) are the Carer visas — permanent visas for a relative who relocates to provide substantial, ongoing care to an Australian with a certified long-term medical condition.
Defining features:
- Medical certification first: an independent assessment of the Australian relative’s care needs anchors the case.
- The alternatives test: care must not be reasonably available from other relatives or Australian services — the usual failure point.
- Capped queue — several years or more.
- Permanent residence on grant.
Detailed legal content (assessment process, eligible relationships) needs verification against current rules. Book a consultation to test eligibility honestly before committing to the queue.
Key eligibility
- An Australian relative has a medical condition certified as requiring substantial ongoing care (independent medical assessment)
- The care cannot reasonably be obtained from other relatives in Australia or from Australian services
- You are willing and able to provide that care
- Sponsorship by the relative (or their partner); health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Independent medical assessment
The Australian relative's condition is assessed and certified — the foundation of the whole application.
- 02
Show the care gap
Evidence that other relatives and local services cannot reasonably meet the need.
- 03
Lodge 116 (offshore) or 836 (onshore) and wait
A capped category — grants come at the front of a long queue. Grant confers permanent residence.
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 2,720 |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.