Can I Move to Australia with my Family as a Caregiver?
Moving to Australia with your family as a caregiver is possible through the permanent Carer visa, available in offshore (subclass 116) and onshore (subclass 836) versions. This visa is for individuals who will provide significant, ongoing care to an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition. A key requirement is demonstrating that your relative cannot reasonably obtain the necessary care from any other source in Australia.
Eligibility Requirements for the Carer Visa
Specific criteria must be met by both the applicant and the sponsor.
For the Carer (Applicant):
You must be willing and able to provide substantial and continuous care for your sponsoring relative or a family member. You need to understand the relative's medical needs, which must be certified by Bupa Medical Visa Services as requiring care for at least two years. Additionally, you and all included family members must meet health and character standards. The subclass you apply for depends on your location: subclass 116 requires you to be outside Australia, while subclass 836 requires you to be in Australia on a valid substantive visa (not subclass 771) at application and grant.
For the Relative (Sponsor):
The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen usually residing in Australia. The relative needing care must be a specific family member (partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, or step-equivalent). They must have a long-term medical condition requiring at least two years of care, assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services. Crucially, they must prove they cannot reasonably access the necessary care from other sources in Australia. The sponsor is also required to provide financial and accommodation support for the first two years in Australia.
Including Your Family Members in the Application
Eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, can be included in your Carer visa application. All included family members must meet health and character requirements. For dependent children aged 18 and over, stricter rules apply, generally requiring financial dependency or inability to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations.
The Application Process
The Carer visa application is typically a multi-step process:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure both you and your relative meet all requirements, especially the medical needs and lack of alternative care.
- Medical Assessment: The relative's medical condition must be assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services.
- Gather Documentation: Compile necessary documents like identity proof, evidence of relationship, and character certificates.
- Sponsorship: The sponsor submits Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia.
- Submit Visa Application: Lodge your application for the appropriate subclass (116 offshore or 836 onshore).
- Provide Further Information: Respond to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
- Visa Grant: Upon approval, you and included family members receive permanent residency.
Comparison of Visa Options for Caregivers
| Feature | Carer Visa (Subclasses 116/836) | Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (via subclass 482/186) | Other Family Visas (e.g., Remaining Relative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | To provide care for an Australian relative with a long-term medical condition. | To fill critical aged care worker shortages in Australia. | To reunite specific family members with their Australian-based relatives. |
| Family Inclusion | Yes, you can include eligible family members in your application. | Yes, you can typically include family members. | Dependent on the specific visa subclass and its rules. |
| Need for Care | Required. The sponsor must prove no reasonable access to care exists in Australia. | Not required. Employment is the key criterion, not family need. | Not required, unless it is a specific carer visa. |
| Processing Times | Lengthy, subject to capping and queueing. Demand often exceeds available places. | Fast-tracked processing under the new labour agreement. | Can be very long, with demand exceeding caps for certain visas. |
| Sponsor Type | A specific eligible Australian relative. | An approved aged care employer. | An eligible Australian relative, depending on the visa. |
| Permanent Residency | Direct pathway to permanent residency upon grant. | Accelerated pathway to permanent residency after two years. | Yes, a pathway to permanent residency. |
Potential Barriers and Considerations
Securing a Carer visa is challenging due to high demand and strict criteria. A major obstacle is demonstrating that care cannot be provided from within Australia, alongside a rigorous medical assessment process. Given potentially long waiting times, exploring alternative options like those under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement for skilled workers may be beneficial.
Conclusion
Moving to Australia with your family as a caregiver is possible through the permanent Carer visa (subclass 116 or 836), which permits including eligible family members. The process is demanding, requiring both the applicant and the Australian relative to meet strict eligibility, particularly proving the long-term medical condition and the unavailability of reasonable care within Australia. Due to annual caps and high demand, expect significant processing times. Learn more about Australian visa options from the official Department of Home Affairs website: {Link: Department of Home Affairs https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/carer-116}.
