Family visas / Subclasses 116 and 836

What is a Carer visa for?

A Carer visa lets a sponsored family member live permanently in Australia so they can provide care to an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition, when that care is not reasonably available in Australia.

Family visas Subclasses 116 and 836 Needs review
Short answer

A Carer visa lets a sponsored family member live permanently in Australia so they can provide care to an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition, when that care is not reasonably available in Australia.

Carer visas are for family situations where an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen needs substantial ongoing care because of a long-term medical condition.

The visa is not only about the medical condition. Home Affairs must also consider whether the person applying is a qualifying relative, whether the care need meets the visa rules, whether another Australian relative can reasonably provide the care, whether suitable services in Australia can reasonably provide the care, and whether the person applying is willing and able to provide the required assistance.

If approved, the Carer visa is a permanent visa.

Source

This answer is based on official Carer visa information checked on 13 August 2026.