Health, Character and Biometrics for Subclass 838 in 2026
How and when the Department asks for health checks, police certificates and biometrics on Subclass 838 in 2026, including non-migrating family.
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ official Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 838) page (as at August 2026), health examinations, police certificates for the character requirement and biometrics are all handled only after the Department tells you to arrange them — not at the time you lodge your application. You and any family members who apply with you must meet the health and character requirements, and the Department may also ask other family members, including non-migrating family members, to do so. This article is for general reference only and does not constitute personalised professional advice; because individual circumstances differ, confirm the current requirements against the official latest published information or with a professional who is permitted to give immigration assistance.
When will I be asked to do health examinations for Subclass 838?
The official page states that “We will let you know if you need health examinations.” In other words, you do not book health checks in advance or send results with your paper application. The requirement itself covers you and any family members who apply for the visa with you, and the Department “might also ask that other family members also meet the requirement.”
Under the Migration Regulations 1994, the health-related public interest criterion is PIC 4005, and cl. 838.223 requires the main applicant to satisfy that criterion at the time of decision. Family members, whether or not they are migrating, are covered by the corresponding criteria in cl. 838.224.
Should I arrange a police certificate for the character requirement before applying?
No. The step-by-step guidance on the official page says plainly: “Do not arrange for police certificates until we ask you to.” The character requirement applies to you and family members who apply with you, and the Department “might also ask that other non-migrating family members also meet the requirement.”
Character is assessed through public interest criterion PIC 4001 under the Migration Regulations 1994, and cl. 838.224 extends the corresponding criteria to family members regardless of whether they migrate. If a police certificate is needed, you will be asked after lodgement rather than before.
Are biometrics (fingerprints and photo) part of the Subclass 838 process?
Biometrics may be requested, but they are not an automatic step at lodgement. The official page says the Department “might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo)” and “We will let you know if you need to provide them.” As with health examinations and police certificates, there is nothing to organise until you receive that notification.
Can family members who are not migrating be asked to meet health and character requirements?
Yes, and this is one of the distinctive features of the Subclass 838 assessment. For health, the official eligibility page says the Department “might also ask that other family members also meet the requirement.” For character, it goes further and says it “might also ask that other non-migrating family members also meet the requirement.”
The Migration Regulations 1994 reflect this through cl. 838.224, which applies public interest criteria to family members whether or not they are migrating with the main applicant; the latest published version of the Regulations on the Federal Register of Legislation is the authoritative text. The department’s PAM3 policy summary describes the outcome as a “one fails, all fail” principle, meaning a difficulty with a non-migrating family member’s health or character is not automatically outside the decision.
How does the Department notify applicants after a Subclass 838 application is lodged?
You must apply on paper using Form 47OF, and you must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when you apply and when the decision is made. After lodgement, the official page says the Department will acknowledge receipt, but “we can't provide you with updates on your application's progress within normal processing times” — it will let you know if you need to provide anything further.
That “further” notification is the channel for health examinations, biometrics, the request for an assurance of support, and the invoice for the second instalment. If you add family members after you apply using Form 1436, they must be in Australia when added and must show they meet the health and character requirements.
The following table summarises the three requirements side by side.
| Requirement | Who is covered | When it is arranged | Non-migrating family members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health | You and family members applying with you; other family members may be asked to meet it | Only after the Department notifies you (official page: “We will let you know if you need health examinations”) | May be asked to meet the requirement |
| Character | You and family members applying with you; other non-migrating family members may be asked | Do not arrange police certificates until asked; wait for the request | May be asked to meet the requirement (cl. 838.224, Migration Regulations 1994) |
| Biometrics | The person the Department asks (fingerprints and photo) | Only if the Department asks; “We will let you know if you need to provide them” | Not specified on the official page |
Suppose an applicant assumes a non-migrating adult child will never be checked and does not mention that child’s circumstances. If the Department later asks that non-migrating family member to meet the character requirement and a problem emerges, the assessment can still be affected. This is why the notification step matters: the request defines who is actually examined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a police certificate for Subclass 838 in 2026?
You must meet the character requirement, but the official page instructs applicants not to arrange police certificates until the Department asks. If a certificate is required, you will be told after you have lodged the application. There is no benefit in obtaining one earlier.
When are health examinations booked for Subclass 838?
Health examinations are not booked when you lodge your paper application. The Department will notify you if examinations are needed, and only then do you arrange them. The requirement covers you and any family members who apply with you.
Will I definitely have to provide biometrics?
No, biometrics are not required in every case. The Department might ask for fingerprints and a photo, and it will tell you if you need to provide them. Until that notification arrives, there is nothing to arrange.
Can a relative who is not migrating to Australia still be checked?
Yes. The Department may ask non-migrating family members to meet the health requirement, and it specifically states it may ask non-migrating family members to meet the character requirement. Under cl. 838.224 of the Migration Regulations 1994, family members whether or not they migrate must meet corresponding public interest criteria.
What happens if I add a family member after I have applied?
You may be able to add family members before a decision is made by completing Form 1436, and the person must be in Australia when added. Any family member added after lodgement must show they meet the health and character requirements. If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, the form and documents can be uploaded there.
Where should I check the current Subclass 838 requirements?
The authoritative starting point is the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ official Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 838) page, which was the basis for this article as at August 2026. For the legal criteria, the Migration Regulations 1994 is the relevant instrument, and the latest published version on the Federal Register of Legislation should be checked, as compilations can change.