For subclass 836, Home Affairs generally looks at whether the sponsor has lawfully lived in Australia for a reasonable period and whether Australia is their usual home.
For subclass 836, a sponsor who needs to be settled must be lawfully resident in Australia for a reasonable period. A reasonable period is usually at least two years.
Shorter lawful residence may sometimes be considered where there are compassionate and compelling circumstances, or where the person needing care or their partner has returned to Australia after living overseas for a long period.
Usually resident focuses on where the person actually lives and whether they intend Australia to be their usual home. Home Affairs may consider physical presence, length of residence, where the person eats and sleeps, whether they have a settled home, and their intention to make Australia their home.
Temporary absences from Australia do not automatically prevent a person from meeting these requirements, but the person needs to show the absence is temporary and that they maintained residence in Australia.