Carer Visa (Subclass 116)

 Carer Visa (Subclass 116)

Caring for someone is one of the noblest professions in the world. It is not only about taking care of their needs but also about providing them with love and compassion. Australia recognizes the value of caregivers and offers a special visa for those who wish to migrate to Australia to provide care to an Australian citizen or permanent resident. In this article, we will discuss the Carer visa (subclass 116) and provide a comprehensive guide for applicants.

What is a Carer Visa (Subclass 116)?

A Carer visa (subclass 116) is a permanent visa that allows the visa holder to stay in Australia to provide substantial and continuing care or support for an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The visa is intended for those who are willing to provide long-term care to a relative in Australia who has a medical condition that requires care and attention.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Carer visa (subclass 116), an applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Be sponsored

The applicant must be sponsored by the person for whom they intend to provide care. 

2. Provide substantial and continuing care

The applicant must be willing and able to provide substantial and continuing care or support to the person they are sponsoring. This means that the care must be ongoing and of a significant nature, and the applicant must have the skills and experience necessary to provide the care.

3. Meet health and character requirements

The applicant must meet health and character requirements, which includes undergoing a medical examination and providing a police clearance certificate.

4. Meet age requirements

The applicant must be under the age of 65 at the time of application.

5. Meet Australian values statement requirements

The applicant must sign an Australian values statement to confirm that they will respect Australian values and obey Australian laws.

How to Apply for a Carer Visa (Subclass 116)?

The process of applying for a Carer visa (subclass 116) involves the following steps:

1. Sponsorship

The first step is to obtain sponsorship from the person for whom the applicant intends to provide care. The sponsor must complete and submit Form 40 (Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia) and Form 1163 (Sponsorship for a Carer to Migrate to Australia) to the Department of Home Affairs.

2. Application

Once the sponsor has been approved, the applicant can submit their visa application online or by post. The applicant must provide all the necessary documents, including evidence of their relationship with the sponsor, evidence of their ability to provide care, and evidence of their health and character.

3. Medical examination

The applicant must undergo a medical examination by a panel physician approved by the Australian Government. The medical examination includes a physical examination, chest x-ray, and blood tests.

4. Police clearance certificate

The applicant must provide a police clearance certificate from each country where they have lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.

5. Visa decision

Once the visa application has been processed, the applicant will be notified of the visa decision. If the application is approved, the applicant will be granted a permanent visa that allows them to stay in Australia and provide care to the person they are sponsoring.

Benefits of a Carer Visa (Subclass 116)

A Carer visa (subclass 116) offers the following benefits to the visa holder:

1. Permanent residency

The visa holder is granted permanent residency in Australia, which allows them to live and work in Australia indefinitely.