Carer visa (subclass 116 / 836) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. Permanent residence for the carer.

Visa typePermanent

LodgementOffshore (116) / Onshore (836)

StayPermanent

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government charge~$5,125

Processing timeSeveral years (queue)

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 116 / 836 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Medical assessment of the care recipient
The Australian relative's condition is assessed (via the Department's contracted assessor) as needing substantial ongoing care. Without a supportive assessment there is no case.
Prove the care gap
Evidence that the care cannot reasonably be provided by other relatives in Australia or by community services - this is where most carer cases fail.
Sponsorship and lodgement
The relative (or their family member) sponsors; lodge with the care plan.
Queue and decision
Capped and queued - set multi-year expectations honestly.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 116 / 836 is viable.

An Australian relative (or their family unit member) with a certified, ongoing medical conditionThe care needed cannot reasonably be provided by other relatives or servicesAn eligible sponsorHealth and character requirements

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentThe Department-contracted medical assessment of the care recipientEvidence other relatives/services cannot reasonably provide the care (work, distance, capacity)Relationship evidence between carer and recipient

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$5,125
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Police certificates	~$42-150 each
Relationship registration (where used)	State fees vary
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 116 / 836 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Jorge from Iran

Background: Jorge, a hospitality manager from Iran. People coming to provide long-term care for a relative (or their family member) with a serious medical condition.
Why it qualified: (1) An Australian relative (or their family unit member) with a certified, ongoing medical condition. (2) The care needed cannot reasonably be provided by other relatives or services. (3) An eligible sponsor.
What made the file strong: The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (queue)).

Grant: Lena from Sri Lanka

Background: Lena, a retired shopkeeper from Sri Lanka. People coming to provide long-term care for a relative (or their family member) with a serious medical condition.
Why it qualified: (1) An Australian relative (or their family unit member) with a certified, ongoing medical condition. (2) The care needed cannot reasonably be provided by other relatives or services. (3) An eligible sponsor.
What made the file strong: Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (Several years (queue)).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Tunde from India

Background: Tunde, a marketing coordinator from India, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 116 / 836.
What went wrong: Medical assessment (via Bupa/health services) not supporting the level of need
Outcome: The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
Lesson for the agent: Apply the decision-ready test: if you cannot evidence the claim today, the application is not ready to lodge.

Refusal: Anya from Colombia

Background: Anya, a small-business owner from Colombia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 116 / 836.
What went wrong: Care reasonably available from others or community services
Outcome: The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent: Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.

9. Self-exam

9 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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