1. What is the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment?

The Bupa assessment is a mandatory medical evaluation that determines whether the Australian relative’s condition qualifies for the Carer visa.

Bupa assesses:

• Whether the condition is long-term or permanent
• Whether the person requires assistance or care for at least 2 years
• The level of care needed and type of assistance required
• Whether the condition significantly impacts daily living

2. What does “no reasonable access to other care” mean?

This is a critical requirement. You must demonstrate that your Australian relative has no reasonable alternative care options available:

Department considers:

• Other family members: Are there other relatives in Australia who could provide care?
• Community services: Are adequate community care services available and accessible?
• Financial capacity: Can the person afford to pay for professional care services?
• Geographic location: Are services available in their area?
• Cultural/language barriers: Are there practical barriers to accessing services?

You must provide comprehensive evidence explaining why you (the applicant) are the only reasonable option to provide necessary care.

3. How long does Subclass 836 take to process?

Typically 1.5-4+ years due to annual program caps on Other Family visas.

Processing phases:

• Initial assessment: Department verifies basic eligibility
• Queue period: Application waits for available visa place
• Final processing: Health checks, character checks, final decision

4. Who can sponsor a Carer visa?

The sponsor must be the relative in Australia who needs the care, or their partner (spouse/de facto).

Sponsor requirements:

• Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
• Usually resident in Australia
• 18 years or older
• Meet character requirements (police clearance)
• No outstanding debts to Australian government
• Commit to supporting and accommodating the carer

5. Can I include my family on the Carer visa?

Yes! You can include your spouse and dependent children on your Subclass 836 application:

• All family members must meet health and character requirements
• Additional visa fees apply for each family member
• All included family members receive permanent residency
• Family members also get work rights and Medicare access
• Must be included in initial application (not added later)

6. What happens if the person I’m caring for passes away or no longer needs care?

This is a sensitive but important consideration:

If this occurs soon after visa grant:

• You should notify Department of Home Affairs
• Department may review your visa status
• Each case assessed individually based on circumstances
• Generally, if you fulfilled obligations genuinely, visa not automatically cancelled

If this occurs years after grant:

• Your permanent residency status typically remains
• You fulfilled the care commitment that justified the visa grant
• Continue living in Australia as permanent resident

7. How is Subclass 836 different from Subclass 116?

Both are Carer visas but for different locations: