Do You Need a Health Examination for Subclass 836 in 2026?
Answers whether the Subclass 836 Carer visa requires health examinations, who must meet the health requirement, and when the Department asks for them.
As at July 2026, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs Carer visa (Subclass 836) official page, the answer is yes: you and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the health requirement, and the Department will let you know separately if health examinations are needed. The health requirement is a criterion for grant, not an optional step, so it applies even if you feel well. This article is general information only and is not personalised professional advice, so confirm your own circumstances against current Department of Home Affairs information or advice from a qualified professional.
Who must meet the health requirement for Subclass 836?
The eligibility page states: "You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement." The About this visa page repeats that family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.
The same eligibility section applies the character requirement only to you and family members aged 16 and over, with a note that other family members might also be asked. The health sentence does not contain that 16-year limit; it covers any family members who apply, so included children are also covered by the published health criterion.
Under the Migration Regulations 1994, the health requirement operates through public interest criteria. The compiled instrument for Subclass 836 refers to criteria for the primary applicant — including PIC 4005, the health criterion — and corresponding criteria for secondary applicants, so check the current legislative text on the Federal Register of Legislation for exact criterion numbers and status.
When will you be asked to attend health examinations?
You apply for this visa on paper using Form 47OF, and you must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when you apply and when the Department decides the application. After you apply, the step-by-step page says: "We will let you know if you need health examinations."
You do not need to book examinations before the Department asks. Import your paper application into ImmiAccount after you receive the acknowledgement letter, because the Department uses those online services to send messages and request documents. If the Department asks for health examinations, complete them for each person it names, and provide any results as instructed.
Is the Bupa medical certificate the same as your own health check?
No. Before you apply, your Australian relative who needs care — or their family member who lives with them and needs care — must be assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services and get a medical certificate confirming the medical condition and the care required. The Department will not accept the application unless there is evidence this process has at least begun; if you did not give the certificate when you applied, you should give it within 3 months of applying, and if it is not received by the time of decision, the visa will not be granted.
That certificate is about the person who needs care. It is not your own health examination, and it does not replace any health examinations the Department later asks you or your family to complete.
Do accompanying family members need their own health checks?
Yes. The About this visa page states that family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements. For a dependent under 18, you still provide identity documents, proof of your relationship, and character documents if applicable, and the health requirement applies to that child as an applicant.
For a child over 18, they must be over 18 and under 23 and dependent on you or your partner, or over 23 and unable to earn a living due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner. The health requirement applies to them as well. The cost page notes there may be other costs for each applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
What happens if the health requirement is not met?
Meeting the health requirement is one of the eligibility criteria for Subclass 836. If it is not met, the visa cannot be granted and the application may be refused. If the Department refuses the visa, it will tell you in writing why, and whether you have a right to a review of the decision; the application fee is not refunded if the application is refused.
If you are asked to provide more information or documents, do so as soon as you can. If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, upload the documents there; if you cannot use ImmiAccount, attach them to a completed Other Family Visa Processing Centre online form.
What should you do, in order?
- Confirm that you and every family member you include must meet the health requirement.
- Arrange the Bupa Medical Visa Services assessment for your Australian relative, or their family member, before applying.
- Complete Form 47OF in English.
- Lodge the paper application while you are in Australia and not in immigration clearance.
- Pay the first instalment and include evidence the Bupa process has begun.
- Import the application into ImmiAccount after you receive the acknowledgement letter.
- Wait for the Department to tell you if health examinations are needed.
- If notified, complete the health examinations for each person requested.
- Upload the results in ImmiAccount, or use the Other Family Visa Processing Centre online form if you cannot use ImmiAccount.
- Stay lawful on your bridging visa and remain in Australia for the decision.
- Pay the second instalment when the Department sends the invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a health examination for Subclass 836?
Yes. The Carer visa (Subclass 836) eligibility page says you and any family members who apply with you must meet the health requirement. The Department will let you know after you apply if health examinations are actually needed. Meeting the requirement is a condition of grant, not optional.
Do my partner or children included in the application need health checks?
Yes. The About this visa page states family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements. The eligibility page applies the health requirement to "any family members who apply for the visa with you", without an age limit in that sentence. Each included person may also have separate health-check costs.
When will I be asked to do health examinations?
After you have applied. The Department's step-by-step page says: "We will let you know if you need health examinations." You do not need to arrange them before you receive that notification, but you must complete them if the Department asks.
Is the Bupa medical certificate the same as my health examination?
No. The Bupa Medical Visa Services certificate is for your Australian relative who needs care, or their family member who lives with them and needs care, and it confirms that person's medical condition and care needs. Your own health examinations, if required, are a separate step after you apply.
What if I do not complete a health examination the Department asks for?
The visa cannot be granted until the health requirement is met, so an unanswered request can lead to refusal. If the visa is refused, the Department will tell you in writing why and whether you have a right to review. The application fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Are there extra costs for health checks?
The cost page says you might also need to pay other costs for each applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. The Visa Pricing Estimator shows visa application charges but does not include the second instalment or these other costs. Specific health-check fees are not listed on the Carer visa page, so check the Department's current cost information.