Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 Hi. Does anyone have any experience of applying for the carer's visa? My 83 year old father is an Australian resident and lives alone. He has no other family members in Australia and following a stroke in 2015 he can't communicate verbally or by written word. My husband and I visit with him every year and we have just returned from a recent visit with him during which he has indicated that he would like us to move to Australia to look after him on a permanent basis due to numerous health issues. I am aware that he would need a BUPA medical assessment as part of the application process but I am unsure how I would facilitate this from the UK and that we would have to prove that he has no access to care currently Does anyone have any experience in relation to this aspect and what we would have to prove to satisfy the visa requirements? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 It's not easy to get a carer's visa. Unfortunately, it's not enough that he'd prefer you to look after him rather than make use of aged care services. You'll need to prove that he can't access aged care services and you're his only option. You'll also have to prove that he can't manage on his own, and since he's been managing without you up till now, apart from one annual visit, that's going to be hard to prove (unless something significant has changed recently). I'd say you need to hire a good migration agent, who will know whether you stand a chance of success and will be able to advise how best to go about it. Get a quote from Go Matilda and Suncoast Migration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 Thank you very much for your response Marisa. From what I have read I knew that it would be extremely difficult, but maybe possible. I will take a look at your recommendations for migration agents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 If you father has no relatives in Australia, would it not be possible for him to return to the UK to be looked after by you. You could accompany him back to make the journey easier for him. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 Hi Toots. Thanks for your response. Unfortunately returning to the UK wouldn't be an option for him due to the familiarity of his surroundings and his house being on one level. We considered this option after he had his stroke in 2015 (whilst travelling in Spain) and he wanted to return to Australia following his recuperation in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 Yes, I understand. Just thought it would have made it easier for everyone. Hope you can manage to care for him here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip1 Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 (edited) You say he indicated that’s what he would like. What about you, is that what you want. Can you afford to not work while caring for him. I get he may want you there but it’s a very big ask to expect someone to uproot and move, especially when there’s various different care options available to him in Australia. Also I believe there’s a long wait for such a visa, I’m not sure how long. Edited February 7, 2023 by Tulip1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 40 minutes ago, Tulip1 said: Also I believe there’s a long wait for such a visa, I’m not sure how long. “we estimate that Carer visa applications that meet the criteria to be queued are likely to take approximately 7 years to be released for final processing.” is the current spin from the Department. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 2 minutes ago, paulhand said: “we estimate that Carer visa applications that meet the criteria to be queued are likely to take approximately 7 years to be released for final processing.” is the current spin from the Department. Oh Crikey!! That is a long processing time and it is good to know this information which I wasn't aware of and more than likely makes it an impossible option for us given that my father is 83 and not in the best of health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 48 minutes ago, Tulip1 said: You say he indicated that’s what he would like. What about you, is that what you want. Can you afford to not work while caring for him. I get he may want you there but it’s a very big ask to expect someone to uproot and move, especially when there’s various different care options available to him in Australia. Also I believe there’s a long wait for such a visa, I’m not sure how long. Hi Tulip1. Thanks for your response. Yes, my husband and I would be very willing to do this and would not have to worry about finances if we were able to take up this option. Trying to make sense of the possible visa options for us is an absolute minefield and it seems so unfair that parents of Australian citizens/residents can obtain visas to be with their children/grandchildren but a child cannot obtain a visa to be with their parent. The apparent processing time is 7 years which undoubtedly wouldn't be an option for us..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 8 hours ago, Rachel Verdonkschot said: it seems so unfair that parents of Australian citizens/residents can obtain visas to be with their children/grandchildren but a child cannot obtain a visa to be with their parent. Not true. The waiting time to obtain a parent visa is currently at least 12 years, and that is for the Contributory visa (with a fee of tens of thousands of dollars). The waiting time for a non-contributory parent visa is at least 30 years. There is a legal loophole. If you are both prepared to give up work completely for the next 7 years, then you have the option of coming to Australia on a tourist visa, then applying for a Carer Visa while you are here. You will then get a bridging visa which will allow you to remain in Australia while your application is considered (yes, even though that is going to be several years). It means you'll be living in limbo, not allowed to work nor receive any benefits and with limited access to Medicare. If you wish to buy a property, you'll have to apply for permission and pay a hefty "foreign buyer" penalty. If you want to leave Australia for any reason, even for a holiday, you must apply to the government for permission (leave without the right paperwork and you won't be allowed to return). Not something to be undertaken lightly. An agent will be able to give you further information. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip1 Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 19 minutes ago, Marisawright said: Not true. The waiting time to obtain a parent visa is currently at least 12 years, and that is for the Contributory visa (with a fee of tens of thousands of dollars). The waiting time for a non-contributory parent visa is at least 30 years. There is a legal loophole. If you are both prepared to give up work completely for the next 7 years, then you have the option of coming to Australia on a tourist visa, then applying for a Carer Visa while you are here. You will then get a bridging visa which will allow you to remain in Australia while your application is considered (yes, even though that is going to be several years). It means you'll be living in limbo, not allowed to work nor receive any benefits and with limited access to Medicare. If you wish to buy a property, you'll have to apply for permission and pay a hefty "foreign buyer" penalty. If you want to leave Australia for any reason, even for a holiday, you must apply to the government for permission (leave without the right paperwork and you won't be allowed to return). Not something to be undertaken lightly. An agent will be able to give you further information. One of the big negatives to that idea is should the OP’s father pass away during the wait (they have even said themselves it’s very likely) then I assume the bridging visa is cancelled and they will have to leave the country. They would be building a new life there knowing that at any time they would be going back to the UK. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 11 hours ago, Rachel Verdonkschot said: Hi Toots. Thanks for your response. Unfortunately returning to the UK wouldn't be an option for him due to the familiarity of his surroundings and his house being on one level. We considered this option after he had his stroke in 2015 (whilst travelling in Spain) and he wanted to return to Australia following his recuperation in the UK. Assuming he is a British citizen it would be relatively easy to get him into supported care which would cope with the one level house etc and the sale of his Aus house would go to fund what care he needs. It may not be what he wants, but if what he wants is not possible then this is the next best option. Alternatively, check out supported accommodation in Australia, it might provide you with more sense of security, knowing that he is being monitored and supported. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 2 hours ago, Tulip1 said: One of the big negatives to that idea is should the OP’s father pass away during the wait (they have even said themselves it’s very likely) then I assume the bridging visa is cancelled and they will have to leave the country. They would be building a new life there knowing that at any time they would be going back to the UK. They wouldn’t be building a new life in Australia anyway as they’re only going for a Carer visa, not a permanent one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 (edited) The whole thing doesn't make much sense. He is presumably receiving care now. If the new visa is going to take 7 years and therefore the "plan" won't work, presumably he will still receive care during the 7 year or however long the waiting period is. Which will really only show the visa is not needed at all. If at 83 he needs ongoing care i think you need to be looking a live-in aged-care homes for him. Edited February 8, 2023 by Parley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 It is not unusual to receive a first-instance refusal for a carer visa, resulting in a few more years wait for a review application to be decided. If the sponsor dies waiting, the visa will be refused. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip1 Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 5 hours ago, Marisawright said: They wouldn’t be building a new life in Australia anyway as they’re only going for a Carer visa, not a permanent one I think the carer visa is a permanent visa although could be wrong. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 31 minutes ago, Tulip1 said: I think the carer visa is a permanent visa although could be wrong. It is … 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Tulip1 said: I think the carer visa is a permanent visa although could be wrong. Gosh, that's weird. You get a visa to come to Australia to care for a sick relative, and then you get to stay whether or not said relative is still around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 10 hours ago, Marisawright said: Not true. The waiting time to obtain a parent visa is currently at least 12 years, and that is for the Contributory visa (with a fee of tens of thousands of dollars). The waiting time for a non-contributory parent visa is at least 30 years. There is a legal loophole. If you are both prepared to give up work completely for the next 7 years, then you have the option of coming to Australia on a tourist visa, then applying for a Carer Visa while you are here. You will then get a bridging visa which will allow you to remain in Australia while your application is considered (yes, even though that is going to be several years). It means you'll be living in limbo, not allowed to work nor receive any benefits and with limited access to Medicare. If you wish to buy a property, you'll have to apply for permission and pay a hefty "foreign buyer" penalty. If you want to leave Australia for any reason, even for a holiday, you must apply to the government for permission (leave without the right paperwork and you won't be allowed to return). Not something to be undertaken lightly. An agent will be able to give you further information. 56 minutes ago, Marisawright said: 57 minutes ago, Marisawright said: Gosh, that's weird. You get a visa to come to Australia to care for a sick relative, and then you get to stay whether or not said relative is still around. Hi Marisa, that was my understanding that if a carer visa is granted it is a permanent visa that would allow you to live and work in Australia. Thanks for clarifying the situation with parent visas. I wasn't aware that the waiting time was so long. Is this due to the sheer numbers of applicants? I have just retired from nearly 30 years service with the Police here and my husband is self-employed so we wouldn't be looking at working or buying a property as my father's house is big enough for us to live there with him and be on immediate hand to offer support/care. It is of concern that neither of us would be entitled to Medicare given the length of the processing times and as you say it is not something to be undertaken lightly which is why we are trying to make an informed choice about whether it is a viable option for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 6 hours ago, wrussell said: It is not unusual to receive a first-instance refusal for a carer visa, resulting in a few more years wait for a review application to be decided. If the sponsor dies waiting, the visa will be refused. Thank you for this information and this is obviously a concern for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 7 hours ago, Parley said: The whole thing doesn't make much sense. He is presumably receiving care now. If the new visa is going to take 7 years and therefore the "plan" won't work, presumably he will still receive care during the 7 year or however long the waiting period is. Which will really only show the visa is not needed at all. If at 83 he needs ongoing care i think you need to be looking a live-in aged-care homes for him. Hi Parley thanks for your response. At the moment my father has a cleaner come in once a fortnight and a gardener every 8 weeks. Unfortunately he can't communicate verbally or by written word and gets easily confused but has managed to live independently and would like to be in a position to continue to do so with our support and is why we are exploring the option of a carer visa however it is becoming apparent that this may not be a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Verdonkschot Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 10 hours ago, Quoll said: Assuming he is a British citizen it would be relatively easy to get him into supported care which would cope with the one level house etc and the sale of his Aus house would go to fund what care he needs. It may not be what he wants, but if what he wants is not possible then this is the next best option. Alternatively, check out supported accommodation in Australia, it might provide you with more sense of security, knowing that he is being monitored and supported. Hi Quoll my father is a Dutch citizen however has been a permanent resident in Australia since 1980 and considers it his home. The upheaval of selling everything he owns and is familiar with wouldn't be an option for him unfortunately which is why he would like to remain in Australia in his own home for as long as possible. It may be that he will have to consider supported accommodation in the future if the carer visa isn't an option for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Rachel Verdonkschot said: Thanks for clarifying the situation with parent visas. I wasn't aware that the waiting time was so long. Is this due to the sheer numbers of applicants? No, it's because Australia grants only a small quota each year. Elderly migrants cost the taxpayer too much money. A parent coming to Australia in their old age has contributed nothing to the welfare system but is eligible for most of its benefits. The Contributory Parent Visa is already very expensive and parents complain about the cost -- yet the research found that the fee should at least triple to come close to covering the cost to the taxpayer. Once upon a time, Australia was so desperate for migrants, it was willing to wear the cost. It was seen as part of the price of bringing and keeping skilled workers here. However nowadays, Australia is able to attract plenty of migrants without needing to offer that carrot. If a migrant ends up going home because they couldn't bring their parent or sibling to Australia, there are ten other migrants eager to take their place. If that situation changes, then perhaps the attitude would change. You may be aware that even skilled visas have an upper age limit of 45, for a similar reason. The government wants to ensure migrants have several years in the workforce, paying taxes and Medicare levies, before they retire and start to draw pensions, incur high medical costs, access aged care etc. I imagine the attitude is the same for the Carer visa. The carer comes to Australia to care for the relative, but as it's a permanent visa, they'll be able to remain in Australia forever. Having spent many years as a carer, they may struggle to get back into working life and may end up on benefits -- and of course, will eventually become old themselves and need to rely on the public purse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Rachel Verdonkschot said: Hi Quoll my father is a Dutch citizen however has been a permanent resident in Australia since 1980 and considers it his home. The upheaval of selling everything he owns and is familiar with wouldn't be an option for him unfortunately which is why he would like to remain in Australia in his own home for as long as possible. It may be that he will have to consider supported accommodation in the future if the carer visa isn't an option for us. So he's not an Australian citizen? He might have to rationalise his expectations. What does Holland have to offer its citizens? It's unfortunate when the elderly get fixated on one pathway and then lose the capacity to make rational decisions. He can certainly get in home care to support him in Australia even if he's not a citizen but he will have to pay, sometimes the elderly resent that but it is available to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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