Carer Visa Subclass 116

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : What this carer visa lets you do

This is a permanent visa. It lets you and any family members who have been granted this carer visa:

• stay in Australia indefinitely as an Australian permanent resident
• apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
• travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident for five years from the date the visa is granted – after that time you will need to apply for another visa if you want to return to Australia.

More information on Australian permanent residence, including eligibility for government services and benefits, is available

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Before you apply

The Australian Government limits the number of Carer visas it grants each year. See Other Family Visa Queue for more information.

Your sponsor

To apply for this carer visa, you need a sponsor. This person must be the relative who needs the care or assistance, or their partner. They must sign an undertaking (an agreement) to give you support, accommodation and financial assistance (if you need it) for two years after you first arrive in Australia. This agreement includes any family members you include in your application.

Your passport

If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa. In most cases, you and your family members must have valid passports to be granted this carer visa.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Cost

The visa application charges are listed in Fees and charges.

The application charge for this carer visa is paid in two instalments. The first instalment is paid when the application is lodged. Payment of the second instalment will be requested just before the visa is granted.

You can ask to be considered for the second instalment to be reduced to nil if you are the carer and you can demonstrate that the charge is likely to cause you or the person being cared for severe financial hardship. You should ask in writing. You cannot ask for a reduction of the second instalment for other family members who are included in your application.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Other costs

You could have to pay other costs, such as the costs of health assessments and police certificates, or any other certificates or tests. You are responsible for making the necessary arrangements when the department of immigration and border protection tell you to.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Who could get this carer visa

You might be eligible for this carer visa if:

• you need to move to Australia to:
  • care for a relative in Australia with a long-term medical condition, or
  • assist a relative in providing this care to a member of their family unit living in their household.
• your relative (or their family member) has their medical condition assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services  as being one which significantly affects them in attending to the practical aspects of daily life and which will need direct care for at least two years
• your relative cannot reasonably get the care they need from any other relative in Australia or from welfare, hospital or nursing community services in Australia
• you are willing and able to provide substantial and continuing assistance
• you should fully understand what kind of care or assistance your relative needs
• you and your family members meet health and character requirements.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 :  Your relative in Australia

You can apply for this carer visa if the relative who needs care or assistance is  usually resident  in Australia. The relative must be your partner, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew (or step-equivalent).

Both this relative (and the member of their family who needs care, where applicable) must be either:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• an eligible New Zealand citizen.

If you are applying for this carer visa so you can assist your relative care for a member of their family, they must both live in the same house.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 :  The sponsor

Your sponsor can be either:

• the relative who needs care or assistance (either for themselves or a member of the family unit)
• the spouse or de facto partner of the relative who lives with them.

The sponsor must be aged 18 years or older and be:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident
• an eligible New Zealand citizen  .

Carer Visa Subclass 116 :  The medical condition

The medical condition must meet the following criteria:

• The medical condition is long-term or permanent, and thus your relative (or a  member  of their  family unit) needs assistance with the practical aspects of daily life.
• The need for care or assistance will continue for at least two years.
• The medical condition has been assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services. See  Medical assessment of the person needing care  for more information.

Contact  Care link  on 1800 052 222 for more information about getting care or assistance in Australia.

Provide biometrics

You might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application. More information is available at  Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program.

Health requirements

You must meet certain  health requirements. The results are usually valid for 12 months. Do not arrange a health examination until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.

This also applies to all the members of your  family unit included in your application, whether they are migrating or not.

Character requirements

You must meet certain  character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.

This also applies to all members of your family unit  listed in the application who are 16 years of age or older whether they are migrating or not.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Sign the Australian Values Statement

If you are older than 18 years of age, you must sign an  Australian Values Statement  to confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. The statement is included in the visa application form. You must have read, or had explained to you, the  Life in Australia  book before you sign the statement.

Debts to the Australian Government

You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this carer visa can be granted.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Medical assessment of the person needing care

Your relative’s medical condition (or that  of member of their family unit) must be assessed by  Bupa Medical Visa Services  before the department of immigration and border protection can make a decision about your visa application.

To arrange their assessment with Bupa Medical Visa Services, your relative can telephone 1300 794 919 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.

When your relative speaks to the Bupa Medical Visa Services, they must mention that the medical examination is in relation to a Carer visa.

Your application cannot be accepted unless you provide evidence that you or your relative have at least arranged to start the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment process.

If Bupa Medical Visa Services has assessed your relative (or a  member of their  family unit), it will provide a certificate that:

• includes a rating or score based on the Impairment Tables currently used by the Department of Human Services to assess eligibility for payment of the Disability Support Pension
• states whether your relative has a medical condition that will affect their ability to attend to their needs (such as eating, dressing, hygiene, mobility, and medical supervision) for at least the next two years
• includes an assessment of the type of assistance required to manage those needs.

The department of immigration and border protection cannot grant a visa if the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment shows that the medical condition:

• does not meet the minimum threshold rating (currently 30) using the Impairment Tables
• does not cause significant impairment of the person’s ability to attend to the practical aspects of daily life
• is not likely to require direct assistance for at least two years.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Including family in your application

You can include the following people in your visa application at the time of lodgement:

• your partner
• your child/step-child or your partner’s child/step-child.

For detailed information regarding who you can include in your application see  including family members in your application.

The application must include documentary evidence of their relationship to you. ​​

Members of your family unit must be able to show that they meet  health  and  character requirements.​

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : How to apply

This information explains what you need to do to apply for a Carer visa (subclass 1

These family members must meet the requirements for  including family members in your application. The application must include documentary evidence of their relationship to you. ​​

16). You must make your application  outside Australia. You and all family members included as applicants must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Prepare your documents

You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are listed in the Document checklist.

Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the application to reduce any delays in processing.

Complete the application forms

Complete the following application forms to apply for this carer visa. You must lodge all the forms together.

You must complete:

• Form 47OFApplication for migration to Australia by other family members(500 kB PDF).

If you have any members of your family unit who are 18 years of age or older (whether they are migrating or not), you must complete:

• Form 47ADetails of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over(238 kB PDF).

If you have any dependent children who are under 18 years of age, you must complete:

• Form 1229Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years(251 kB PDF).

Your sponsor completes:

• Form 40Sponsorship for migration to Australia(251 kB PDF).

The forms must be completed in English.

Lodge your application at one of the immigration offices outside Australia, which will tell you how you can pay. There is also further  information  available on the  methods of payment  accepted  by the department of immigration and border protection offices.

You must pay the first instalment of the visa application charge when you make your application. You can pay by credit card, debit card, bank cheque or money order made payable to the Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au).

You and anyone included as an applicant in your application must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : More information

Please refer to  preparing your application, for information on:

• certifying and translating documents into English
• communicating with the department of immigration and border protection
• using a migration agent
• authorising another person to receive information from the department of immigration and border protection
• receiving assistance with your application. ​​​​

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : After you have applied

After you have lodged your application and documents, the department of immigration and border protection will acknowledge  that they have received your information.

Processing arrangements

There is high demand for family migration visas and only a limited number of places. The department of immigration and border protection process applications in the order in which they are lodged and in accordance with any relevant Ministerial Directions.

Carer visa applications are subject to  Capping and queuing arrangements. This means your application is considered in two stages:

• Your application is assessed against the core requirements for this carer visa. Your application is then either placed in the queue to wait for a visa place to become available, or it is refused. If it is placed in a queue, the department of immigration and border protection will tell you what your ‘queue date’ is. In the interests of fairness and equity, the department of immigration and border protection are not able to move your application ahead of others in the queue even if there are compelling and compassionate circumstances.
• When a visa place becomes available:
  • The department of immigration and border protection assess your application to ensure you meet the requirements of this carer visa (including health and character)
  • if you do qualify for this carer visa, the department of immigration and border protection ask for the second instalment of the visa application charge (where needed)
  • The department of immigration and border protection make a final decision about your visa application.

If your visa is granted, you must be outside Australia when it is granted.

Do not make arrangements to move to Australia. Do not leave your employment, sell your home or book travel arrangements until you are told in writing that you have been granted a visa.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Provide more information

You can provide more information to the department of immigration and border protection, in writing, at any time until a decision is made on the application. If you want to correct information you have previously provided, use:

• Form 1023Notification of incorrect answer(s)(99  kB PDF).

The department of immigration and border protection could also ask you for more information. You will have to respond by a set date. After that date, the department of immigration and border protection can make a decision about your application using the information that they have.

If another person gives the department of immigration and border protection information that could result in you being refused a visa, they will  usually give you the opportunity to comment on the information.

You might also be interviewed. If you are asked to attend an interview in person, bring your passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.

The department of immigration and border protection will also tell you when to have your health and character checks.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Report changes in your circumstances

Tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change after you have applied for this carer visa. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth or death in your family.

You can use the following forms:

• Form 929Change of address and/or passport details(86  kB PDF) – if you move to a new address or change your passport
• Form 1022  Notification of changes in circumstances  (77  kB PDF) – if there are other changes in your circumstances.

Examples of changes you must report:

• your residential address changes for more than 14 days
• details of your family members change (for example: births, deaths, changes in dependency, and relationship status)
• the person authorised to act on your behalf changes
• you or your family member intend to travel to or from Australia while your visa application is being processed
• the circumstances of your sponsor change.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw the application at any time before the department of immigration and border protection make a decision about it. To do this, send the department of immigration and border protection a letter or email to ask for the withdrawal. Your request must include your full name, date of birth and date of your application. If you know it, you should also include the number the department of immigration and border protection gave you when you applied — this could be a file reference number, client ID, or a Transaction Reference Number.

Applicants who are 18 years of age or older must sign the letter of withdrawal or send a separate email or letter. The department of immigration and border protection will not usually refund the visa application charge.

You can remove one or more applicants and still continue with your visa application. Let the department of immigration and border protection know in writing if you wish to do this. Include the signature of the person you are removing from your application if they are 18 years or older.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Visa decision

If the visa is granted, you must be outside Australia when it is granted and the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:

• when you can use the visa
• the visa grant number
• any conditions attached to the visa.

Usually you will not have a visa label placed in your passport.

If the visa is not granted, the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:

• why the visa was refused
• your review rights (if any)
• the time limit for lodging a request for review of the decision (if applicable).

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Document checklist

You need to provide documents to support your application for this carer visa. The department of immigration and border protection can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless the department of immigration and border protection specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Forms

• Form 470FApplication for migration to Australia by other family members(507 kB PDF)
• Form 40Sponsorship for migration to Australia(251 kB PDF) (your sponsor completes this form)

Complete these forms if they are relevant:

• Form 47ADetails of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over(complete a separate form for each child or family member)
• Form 1229Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (complete a separate form for each child under 18 years).

Receiving assistance

• If someone gives you advice or lodges your application for you:Form956Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance  (the agent or exempt person completes the form and you must sign it)
• If you would like someone to receive correspondence from the department of immigration and border protection on your behalf:Form 956AAppointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient  (the recipient completes the form and you must sign it)

Charges

• Pay the first instalment of the visa application charge  for this carer visa when you make  the application.

Payment of the second instalment of the visa application charge will be required before the visa can be granted.

See  fees and charges  for more information.

Your identity

• Documents to prove your identity — a certified copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names. If you do not have a birth certificate or are unable to get one, you must provide a certified copy of the identification pages of at least one of the following documents:
  • passport
  • family book showing both parents’ names
  • identification document issued by the government
  • document issued by a court that verifies your identity.

If you are unable to provide one of these documents, you must provide other acceptable evidence that you are who you claim to be.

• Four recent passport sized photographs (45mm x 35mm) of yourself and any other person included in the application. These should be of the head and shoulders only, and should show the person facing the camera and against a plain background. Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.
• If you served in the armed forces of any country, certified copies of military service record or discharge papers.

Your relationship

• Evidence of your relationship with the sponsor (certified copy of birth certificate, marriage certificates, death certificates, adoption certificates, family status certificates or family books — if these documents are officially issued and maintained).
• Evidence of dependency for all dependants aged 18 or over. Documents that show financial dependency can include bank records or other financial statements as well as proof of your relationship with your relative and evidence that the relative lives in your household.
• If anyone included in the application is, or has been married, certified copies of the marriage certificate(s). If you are living in a de facto relationship, independent evidence that you have been in the relationship for at least 12 months (for example joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names).
• If anyone included in the application has been permanently separated, divorced or widowed, a certified copy of the statutory declaration/separation certificate, divorce decree absolute or the death certificate of the deceased partner (as appropriate).
• If anyone included in the application has changed his or her name (for example by marriage or dead poll), a certified copy of evidence of the name change.

Your children

• If any child included in the application is adopted, certified copies of the adoption papers.
• If you want to bring a child under 18 years of age to Australia, and that child’s other parent is not included in your application, documentary evidence that you have the legal right to include that child in your application. Examples of this proof are:
  • certified copies of official legal documents such as a court issued custody, access, or guardianship order
  • a statutory declaration from each person with a legal responsibility for the child, giving permission for the child to migrate to Australia
  • a completed Form 1229Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years  (125 kB PDF).

Note: Form 1229 or the statutory declaration must come with a certified copy of the other parent/person’s identification (such as a passport or driver’s licence).

• If any dependent child aged 18 years of over, evidence of:
  • current enrolment into tertiary full-time studies
  • bank records
  • other financial statements

Your sponsor

Evidence that the sponsor is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Evidence that the sponsor is  usually resident  in Australia.

If the person requiring care is a member of the sponsor’s family unit, evidence of both of the following:

• their family relationship with, or dependency on, the sponsor
• their status as an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The  Bupa Medical Visa Services  Carer Visa Assessment Certificate for the person who requires care or evidence the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment has started (a letter from Bupa Medical Visa Services acknowledging your request for a care assessment).

Evidence to show that the sponsor has tried to access care or assistance in Australia from services such as welfare, hospital, nursing or community services.

Evidence to show that the sponsor has no other relatives in Australia who can provide the required care or assistance.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : What this carer visa lets you do

This is a permanent residence visa. It allows you and any family members who have also been granted this carer visa to:

• stay in Australia indefinitely as an Australian permanent resident
• apply for Australian citizenship(if you are eligible)
• travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need to apply for another visa to return to Australia).

More information on being an  Australian permanent resident, including eligibility for government services and benefits is available.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Your obligations

You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

Your sponsor must agree to support you for two years after you first arrive in Australia.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Who can sponsor a carer

You can sponsor someone for this carer visa if you or a family member who lives with you:

• needs someone to care for either of you because of a long-term medical condition, and
• you cannot reasonably obtain the care or assistance you need from any of your other relatives in Australia or from other services, such as welfare, a hospital, nurses, or community services in Australia.

You must show that you have tried to access all care options that are available in Australia before you decide to sponsor someone for this carer visa.

To be a sponsor, you must be:

• a relative of the person applying for this carer visa, or be the partner of the relative
• 18 years of age or older
• usually resident  in Australia
• an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

Who is a relative?

• A ‘relative’ means you are the partner, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew (or step-equivalent) of the person applying for the visa.

The person’s ability to provide care

You must be sure that the person you are sponsoring:

• fully understands the nature of the medical condition and the daily care or assistance requirements
• is willing and has a genuine intention to provide the required ongoing care or assistance
• has the ability to provide the required ongoing care or assistance.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Applying to be a sponsor

This information explains what you need to do to sponsor someone for a Carer visa (subclass 116).

To sponsor someone to come to Australia to care for you or assist you, you must:

• complete Form 40Sponsorship for migration to Australia  (251 kB PDF)
• give the completed form to your relative to lodge with their visa application.

Carer Visa Subclass 116 : Sponsor obligations

For two years after your relative(s) arrives in Australia, you must help them and their accompanying family members settle in Australia by providing (if necessary):

• support
• accommodation
• financial assistance

Use the following form if you want to change information you provided in your sponsorship application form:

• Form 1023Notification of incorrect answer(s)(99 kB PDF) – if you want to correct information you provided in your visa application

Report changes in circumstances

Tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change after you have applied for this carer visa. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth or death in your family.

You can use the following forms:

• Form 929Change of address and/or passport details(86  kB PDF) – if you move to a new address or change your passport
• Form 1022  Notification of changes in circumstances  (77  kB PDF) – if there are other changes in your circumstances.

Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au). Please visit www.border.gov.au to get updated information.

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