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Carer Visa 116 and 836 Australia 2026: Eligibility, Care Needs and 12-Year Queue
The Carer visa is a permanent Other Family visa for an eligible person who will provide substantial and continuing assistance to an Australian relative, or a member of that relative's family unit, who has a long-term medical condition and no reasonable access to the required care in Australia.
Subclass 116 versus subclass 836
Subclass 116 is the offshore Carer visa. Subclass 836 is the onshore version: the applicant must be in Australia when applying and when the Department decides the application. Both are permanent visas and require an eligible sponsor.
Official onshore source: Department of Home Affairs — Carer visa subclass 836.
The care need must fit the visa framework
The Australian relative or relevant family-unit member must have a qualifying long-term medical condition and require care that the applicant is able and willing to provide. Home Affairs also requires that the person needing care have no reasonable access to appropriate care options in Australia.
Capping and queueing
Carer visas are capped and queued. As at 31 May 2026, Home Affairs had released applications with queue dates up to 31 December 2023 for final processing and estimated about 12 years for new Carer visa applications.
Current queue data: Other Family visa queue release dates.
Permanent visa benefits
Once granted, the Carer visa permits permanent residence, work and study, Medicare access subject to the usual rules, and a five-year travel facility.
For current government charges, see Australian Visa Fees 2026–27.
