Australia new visa program for care givers

Australia has introduced a new visa program for caregivers, known as the "Carer Visa (subclass 116")". This visa is designed to allow eligible caregivers to live and work in Australia to care for a family member who requires support due to a disability, illness, or other condition.

Here are the key details about the Carer Visa:

Eligibility:

• You must be a family member of the person you want to care for, such as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.
• The person you want to care for must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• The person you want to care for must have a disability, illness, or other condition that requires care and support.
• You must have a genuine intention to provide care and support to the person you want to care for.

Visa requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a good level of English language proficiency.
• You must have a valid passport.
• You must provide evidence of your relationship with the person you want to care for.
• You must provide evidence of the person's disability, illness, or other condition.
• You must provide a police certificate from your home country and any other countries where you have lived for the past 12 months.

Visa duration:

• The Carer Visa is initially granted for 2 years.
• After 2 years, you can apply for a further 2-year visa, and then a permanent visa if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Work rights:

• As a Carer Visa holder, you will have work rights in Australia, but you will not be able to work as a paid caregiver for the person you are caring for.
• You will be able to work in any other occupation, but you must not work as a paid caregiver for the person you are caring for.

Other benefits:

• As a Carer Visa holder, you will have access to Medicare, which provides free or low-cost healthcare.
• You will also have access to other government benefits and services, such as education and training programs.

How to apply:

• You can apply for the Carer Visa online or by post.
• You will need to provide all required documents and information, and pay the applicable visa application fee.
• The application process typically takes several months to complete.

Fees:

• The application fee for the Carer Visa is currently AUD 4,045 (approximately USD 2,700).
• There may be additional fees for biometric data collection, police certificates, and other services.

It's important to note that the Carer Visa program is subject to change, and the eligibility criteria and application process may be updated from time to time. It's recommended that you check the official government website for the most up-to-date information and to consult with a migration agent or lawyer if you have any questions or concerns.