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Carer Visa Australia
The Carer visa lets you live permanently in Australia to provide ongoing, substantial care for a relative (or their household member) who has a long-term medical condition and no reasonable access to other care.
Requirement | Key points |
Applicant | Must be 18 + and able/willing to give continuing daily care. |
Relative in need | Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen who has a long-term (≥ 2 yrs) medical condition and no reasonable care options in Australia. |
Medical evidence | Condition must be certified by a designated medical officer (i.e., Bupa panel doctor report, Form 1149). |
Location | 116 applicants must stay offshore; 836 applicants must lodge & remain on-shore until decision. |
Health & character | Standard checks for all applicants. |
Step | Subclass 116 (Offshore) | Subclass 836 (On-shore) |
Lodgement | Outside Australia | Inside Australia (not immigration clearance) |
Bridging visa | N/A | BVA (work rights on hardship request) |
Medicare | After grant | Eligible once valid 836 is lodged |
Must be at decision | Offshore | On-shore |
Travel during wait | Visits to Australia may trigger refusal | Must hold BVB to travel; be on-shore for decision |
Cost item | Amount (AUD) | When due |
1st instalment (main applicant) | 2,175 | At lodgement |
Additional applicant 18 + | 1,090 | At lodgement |
Additional applicant < 18 | 545 | At lodgement |
AoS bond (refundable) | 10,000 first adult / 4,000 each extra | Before grant (10-year bond) |
Pitfall | Avoidance tip |
Medical report too old | DMO report must be < 6 months old when lodged. |
“Reasonable care” exists | Include quotes showing cost is prohibitive or service unavailable. |
Leaving Australia on BVA without BVB | Always secure a BVB first. |
Sponsor can’t fund AoS bond | Arrange funds early; delays at final stage are common. |
Incomplete daily-care details | Provide diaries or logs showing hours of care you currently supply. |
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Substantial daily assistance (e.g., feeding, bathing, mobility) for at least two years.
Yes. A second relative may be added if the medical report states two carers are needed.
Only if the BVA already permits work or you request “permission to work” and show financial hardship.
Yes—if the partner is an Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen.