Carer Visa (Offshore) (Subclass 116)

The subclass 116 visa is intended for individuals who will provide long-term support to a person in need, enabling them to remain in Australia and contribute to the well-being of their care recipient. This is a permanent visa, offering a pathway to permanent residency for eligible applicants. Additionally, the Subclass 836 Carer Visa (Temporary) is designed for individuals who are already in Australia and wish to provide care to a relative or an eligible individual in need of assistance.

Benefits of the Subclass 116 Visa

Permanent Residency

Successful applicants receive permanent residency, allowing them to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

Sponsor Relatives

Sponsor eligible relative to come to Australia

Work and Study Rights

Visa holders can work and study in Australia while providing care for their designated individual.

Travel Rights

Travel in and out of Australia for the first 5 years upon visa approval

Healthcare Scheme

Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme - Medicare

Citizenship Pathway

After fulfilling residency requirements, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship

Subclass 116 Visa

MAIN REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the Subclass 116, Onshore Carer Visa, applicants must meet several essential criteria:

Sponsorship
Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative or a person in Australia who is in need of care due to a disability, medical condition, or age-related issues.

Carer Responsibility
The person requiring care must have a significant need for assistance with daily living activities and be unable to care for themselves without help.

Health and Character Requirements
Health Checks: Applicants and any dependent family members must undergo medical examinations to ensure they meet Australia's health standards. This is to prevent the Australian healthcare system from being burdened by applicants with significant medical needs.
Character Checks: Police clearances from each country the applicant has lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years are required. This ensures that the applicant poses no security or criminal risk to Australia.

Current Location
Applicant must be outside Australia when the application is lodged and while waiting for the visa outcome

Current Processing Time: Subclass 116 Visa

Due to capping and queuing regulations, all Other Family visa applications, including the Carer Visa, are subject to limited visa placements each year. This can result in long wait times, as applications are processed in the order they are received.

Visa Type Acknowledge New Application Visa Assessment (Queue release date)
Carer Visa (Permanent)  (subclass 116) Approximately 3 weeks Date queued up to 30 April 2023

Frequently

Asked       

Questions

  • An eligible sponsor can be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is in need of care.

  • Yes, you can include eligible family members in your Carer Visa application.

  • If your application is refused, you may be able to seek a review of the decision or apply for a different visa, depending on your circumstances.

  • Holders of the Subclass 116 Carer Visa can work in Australia. Temporary visa holders may have specific work rights depending on their visa conditions.

  • While there is no formal requirement, applicants should have a functional level of English to support their application and daily life in Australia.

  • Yes, you can apply for the Carer Visa while in Australia, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.