Carer Visa Australia in 2026 has two different pathways which are subclass 836 and 116. This visa program acts as a vital permanent residency (PR) pathway for anyone who is dedicated to giving a family member with a chronic illness in Australia and requires continuous, substantial attention. With the changes in the migration scenes of Australia, the Australian healthcare system also continues to evolve continuously. In order to make sure that these specific visas programs are only granted in conditions where the patient’s requirements cannot be sufficiently satisfied by community services or professional nursing, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) maintains strict requirements that must be fulfilled in 2026.
Regardless of whether you are transitioning while residing in the country or applying as a relative from overseas, knowing the 2026 legal landscape is essential for a successful application given the changes occurring in 2026.
With 13 years of experience with visa services and guiding numerous clients in their application process, BJay Education & Visa Services has meticulously drafted this guide to help you with your carer visa Australia application. This guide has been drafted with latest information provided by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to help you with information that you require. In this guide you can find the carer visa requirements, costs, and the capping and queuing system that defines the current processing environment.
Carer Visa in Australia
The Carer visa is visa program that is used as a permanent migration pathway for individuals who currently have a relative in the turf of Australia who has a significant, long-term chronic condition. This visa program has been designed in order to take care of the relative having the condition. In 2026, the DHA requires evidence that the family member requires the care that has been sought and can’t be obtained from any other relative or through Australian health and welfare services.
Under the Carer Visa program, there are two distinct subclasses:
- Carer Visa 836
- Carer Visa 116
Difference between Carer Visa 836 and Carer Visa 116
Even if both the carer visa 836 and the carer visa 116 are subclasses of the carer visa, there are some specific differences between them that stand out. The difference between these visa programs can be seen in the given table.
| Feature | Carer Visa 836 (Onshore) | Carer Visa 116 (Offshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant Location | You are required to be inside the turf of Australia when you apply for this visa. | You are required to be outside the turf of Australia when you apply for this visa. |
| Visa Status at Lodgment | You must hold a substantive visa (e.g., Visitor, Student). | No Australian visa required to lodge. |
| Bridging Visa Eligibility | Yes. You are usually granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) with this visa | No. You are not provided with any Bridging Visas and must remain offshore. |
| Right to Stay During Processing | You can remain inside of Australia while in the queue. | You must wait for the visa grant before moving to Australia. |
| Work/Study Rights (Wait Period) | Allowed if the Bridging Visa has no restrictions on it. | Not applicable. |
| Decision Location | You must be in Australia when the visa is granted. | You must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. |
| Best For | Relatives who are already visiting/living with the sponsor. | Relatives currently residing overseas. |
Core Rights and Benefits of the Carer Visa
The carer visa in 2026 is more than just a permit that lets you stay in the turf of Australia, it is a full PR grant visa that provides you with a distinct set of legal, financial and social rights.
Permanent Residency and Indefinite Stay
The Primary benefit that the Carer Visa provide is the benefit of PR in Australia and the indefinite stay benefit. With the Carer Visa, you have the legal right to live in the turf of Australia for the rest of your life. Unlike other temporary visa programs, your stay in Australia is not specifically tied to an employer or study and is provided to u while you maintain the residency obligations.
Medicare Services
Another major benefit that the Carer Visa provides is Medicare. This service which is the Public Healthcare System (PBS) of Australia is an important factor that can help you in Australia. After you have successfully enrolled this visa, you are not eligible to receive free treatment as a public patient in public hospitals of Australia and are eligible to receive benefits like subsidies for General Practitioner visits and medicines via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
In case you are someone who has applied for the carer visa 836, then for this specific subclass, you may be eligible to enroll for Medicare while your application is still being processed and given the condition that you have a valid bridging visa with no restrictions on work rights.
Comprehensive Work and Study Rights
Another benefit that this visa program provides is providing Comprehensive Work and Study Rights. It removes all restrictions on your professional and academic life in Australia. You can work for any company in any sector as long as providing care is your main goal. Additionally, you can enroll in Australian universities, TAFEs, and schools at domestic student rates, which are substantially lower than those for overseas students.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
With the Carer visa subclass 836 and 116, you are eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship. With these visa programs, you will have direct access to becoming an Australian Citizen after you have been in the turf of Australia for 4 years, including the last 12 months as a PR in Australia.
Travel Rights and Re-entry
Another right that this visa provides is the travel rights and re-entry facility. With the carer visa, you are eligible to have 5 years of travel facility where you can leave and re-enter the turf of Australia as many times that you like for the duration of 5 years from the date of grant.
Carer Visa Requirements
If you want to have a positive outcome on a carer visa with subclass 838 and subclass 116 then you are required to make sure that both the caregiver (applicant) and the relative (sponsor) satisfy the following requirements:
Requirements for the Sponsor
To qualify for the carer visa as a sponsor, the relative must prove that they have a legitimate medical condition that requires the applicant to be there and that the condition cannot be satisfied by Australia’s existing social infrastructure. The requirements that need to be met are as follows:
- To be an eligible Sponsor, they are required to be an Australian citizen, a PR holder, or an eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor anyone.
- To be an eligible Sponsor, they are required to provide evidence that care that you require can not be provided by any other relative living in Australia or any Australian health, welfare, or community nursing services.
- To be an eligible Sponsor, they are required to undergo a specialized assessment by approved healthcare providers like Bupa. In this examination, the sponsor must be rated with minimum score of 30 based on the Impairment table and the condition must be long-term or permanent.
- To be an eligible sponsor, they must be settled in Australia, typically meaning they have lived here for at least the last 2 years.
Requirements for the Applicant (The Carer)
If you are someone who is looking to apply for the Carer visa, then you are required to prove that you are the right person for this and are required to satisfy the following:
- You are required to be a relative of the sponsor who is looking for the service (the person who needs medical attention)
- You must show that you have a sincere desire to care for the sponsor and that you are aware of the emotional and physical needs of their particular medical condition.
- Even though there isn’t a strict upper age limit, you must be someone who is physically able to provide the required substantial and continuing care.
- You must pass the standard Australian immigration health exam and also provide police clearance for every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
- You must either have a written repayment plan in place or have no outstanding debts to the Australian government.
Carer Visa Cost
Financial planning for a carer visa in 2026 requires specific understanding of the two-stage payment procedure that is present in this visa program and is mandated by the DHA. These costs are updated annually to take into consideration for inflation and administrative changes, ensuring that the visa program will continue to support families in need of essential domestic support.
As of February 2026, the latest costs for Subclass 836 and 116 under the carer visa are as follows:
| Fee Component | Main Applicant | Additional Applicant 18+ | Additional Applicant <18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Instalment (Lodgment) | AUD $2,175 | AUD $1,090 | AUD $545 |
| Second Instalment (Pre-Grant) | AUD $2,065 | AUD $2,065 | AUD $2,065 |
| Total Base Government Fee | AUD $4,240 | AUD $3,155 | AUD $2,610 |
Carer Visa Processing Time
With the 2026 requirements set by the DHA, the carer visa requires a long-term perspective due to the current capping and queuing system. The demand for these visas greatly exceeds the limited number of slots available in the annual Migration Program, thus applications are assessed for initial eligibility before being placed in a global queue to await a visa award.
As of February 2026, the estimated timelines as per the queue given by the DHA for the carer visa subclass 836 and subclass 116 are as follows:
| Processing Stage | Estimated Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Initial Acknowledgement | Approximately 4 Weeks |
| Queue Placement (Assessment) | 18 – 24 Months from lodgment |
| Current Queue Release Date | Applications queued up to October 31, 2023 |
| Total Estimated Wait Time | Approximately 12 Years |
How to Apply for a Carer Visa in Australia
Step 1: Medical Assessment
Before you even think about lodging a valid carer visa application in Australia, the sponsor who requires the care must be accessed by an approved health provider who will verify if they actually require the care they seek. The sponsor is required to complete the Statement of Assistance Needed form, outlining their daily struggles. Additionally, they need to provide a recent report from a specialist which is not less than 12 months old.
Step 2: Gather Decision-Ready Documentation
If you are someone who are willing to receive the carer visa as soon as possible and want to avoid delays in your application process and reach the queue quicker then you must prepare a comprehensive evidence file that contains the following documents:
- Forms: You must fill out Form 40 (sponsorship for migration to Australia) and Form 47OF (application for migration to Australia by other family members) with precision.
- Identity: You must have high-quality copies of the applicant’s and sponsor’s most recent passports and birth certificates which are to be submitted.
- Relationship Proof: Records that unmistakably connect the caregiver and the sponsor, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or family books.
- The No Reasonable Access Statement: It is a written justification (supported by evidence) for why local family members or Australian community services are unable to provide the required care.
Step 3: Application Lodgment and Payment
The carer visa is typically a paper-based or a digital submission which totally depends on the directions that are provided by the DHA at the time of submission. After you have lodged your application, you are required to pay the initial carer visa cost which is AUD $2,175.
If you are applying for the carer visa 116, then you must still be offshore until the visa has been granted and in case you are applying for the carer visa 836, then you must ensure that you hold a substantive visa at the time of lodgment.
Step 4: Acknowledgement and Bridging Visas
Once your visa application for the carer visa has been lodged, the DHA will then send you an acknowledgement letter stating that your visa has been successfully lodged.
In case of subclass 836, you are typically granted Bridging Visa A and then you can apply for your work rights.
Step 5: Queue Placement
An initial assessment will be carried out by the DHA. You will receive a “Queue Letter” if you fulfill the essential requirements for a carer visa. Your official position in the queue is confirmed by this letter. You just wait for your “Queue Date” to be reached from this point on.
Step 6: Final Vetting and Visa Grant
After your visa has been placed in the queue, which is currently a multi-year wait, the DHA will contact you to update health and character information as the old ones are probably expired at the time of grant. After the certificates, you are now required to pay for the final carer visa cost of AUD $2,065 and then your permanent residency is granted.
Carer Visa Document Checklist
As the carer visa is dynamic and is changing rapidly with the migration scenes of Australia, you are required to provide a robust and decision ready document application that provides a comprehensive suite of supporting evidence. As the processing time for the carer visa is already very long, make sure to compile all the required documents as missing even one of the documents can lead to significant delays in the queue.
Below is the essential document checklist for both the carer visa 836 and subclass 116:
Forms and Identity Documents
- You are required to complete the Form 470F which is the primary application form for “Other Family” migration.
- You are required to complete and submit the Form 40 which needs to be signed by your Australian sponsor.
- You must provide high color scans of your current valid passport.
- You must provide four passport sized photographs with dimensions 45mm x 35mm.
Medical Evidence
- You are required to provide the Carer Visa Medical Assessment that is conducted by an authorized healthcare provider like Bupa
- You are required to provide documentation confirming that the sponsor has an impairment rating score of 30 or more.
- You are required to provide a statement of assistance including a detailed breakdown of the daily tasks like showering, dressing, medication, mobility that the sponsor cannot perform independently and needs you for.
Proof of Relationship
- You are required to provide evidence that you are an eligible relative of the sponsor that requires care. You need to provide documents like marriage certificates, family tree, certificates showing the linkage to prove your relationship.
- You must provide proof of your sponsors status in Australia. You need to provide proof that the sponsor is an Australian citizen, a PR holder in Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. You can prove it by providing the sponsor’s Australian passport or citizenship to the concerned authorities.
Character and Health
- You are required to provide evidence on health clearance.
- You need to provide Australian Federal Police (AFP) national police checks and clearances from every nation where you have resided for a minimum of 12 months within the previous ten years.
FAQs
If you want to be eligible for a carer visa in Australia then you are required to be an eligible relative of an Australian citizen, a PR holder in Australia, an eligible New Zealand citizen who has a chronic health problem and requires your specific attention to be attended. For this visa program, you are required to show that your relative needs significant, continuous care that no other Australian relative or local welfare, nursing, or community services may possibly give. You must also be willing and able to offer full-time help, as well as pass the unmet care exam.
Yes. If you are outside of Australia and want to come to Australia as a carer, your choice is the care visa subclass 116. This visa program is a PR pathway subject to “capping and queuing,” the procedure involves waiting for several years. While people already in Australia on a substantive visa may apply for the carer visa 836 to stay onshore during the processing period, many families utilize the offshore subclass 116 as a long-term strategy.
The carer visa processing time as of February,2026 is approximately 12 years. The DHA uses a queuing system to process the application. After the initial assessment of your application, it is placed in a queue. Applications that were pending until October 2023 are currently being finalized by the department. In order to remain in Australia during this period, onshore applicants usually get a bridging visa.
If you want to become a certified carer in Australia, then you are required to provide evidence that your relative that you are seeking to provide care actually needs it and is required to go through the medical assessment through an authorized healthcare provider like Bupa. A certificate proving to a medical impairment level of 30 or greater is required. After obtaining this, you can formally apply for subclass 836 (onshore) or subclass 116 (offshore), supplying substantial proof that there are no other possibilities for local treatment.
As a carer, you cannot compromise with the health of a family member. When something this huge is at stake, you require a strategic partner to guide to throughout the process. With more than 13 years of experience in providing visa services, our expertise in the “Other Family” visa stream guarantees that your application for a carer visa will pass the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) stringent examination.
Why BJay?
Proven Expertise: With 13 years of experience in Visa services in Australia, we here at BJay Education & Visa Services have been providing tailored services to help you navigate through the complex migration scenes of Australia.
Expertise Team: Led by Mr. Jay Oli (MARN: 1570827), we have an exceptional team that is there to solve any queries and help you with your application. The team is well trained to provide the services that you may require assistance with.
Global Presence & Local Support: With offices present in multiple locations throughout Nepal (Putalisadak and Birtamode) and a head office in Sydney, BJay provides you with seamless support you may require whether you are in your home country or already in the turf of Australia.
Medical Evidence Specialists: At BJay, we just don’t fill out your application fees but help you throughout the journey. We help you make sure the medical officers are aware of the seriousness of the care needed while preparing the “Statement of Assistance” for your Health assessment.
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