Health Requirements for Every Australian Visa Subclass

Applying for an Australian visa can feel complex enough without the added worry of a medical check. Many applicants feel anxious about what’s involved, but the good news is that Australia’s visa health requirements are standardised, transparent, and, for most people, completely manageable.

The health assessments help protect public health, manage community healthcare costs, and ensure fair access to limited medical services. Almost every visa type, temporary or permanent, involves some form of health examination, but the level of testing depends on your visa subclass, your age, and your personal circumstances. This guide from Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers explains what health tests you need for an Australian visa, how assessments are conducted, and what to expect at each stage.

Understanding Australia’s Health Requirements Framework

All visa applicants must meet basic health requirements for an Australian visa, whether they are applying from inside or outside Australia. These requirements apply to the main applicant, any accompanying family members, and, in some cases, non-accompanying dependents.

Health assessments focus on three key areas:

A Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) examines the results of each applicant and gives an independent recommendation. Every single person, regardless of their financial situation or having private health insurance, has to be evaluated by the MOC in the same manner.

In case of certain visa categories, a health waiver might be granted if the Department considers that the grant of a visa will not put an undue strain on Australia’s health system. Well, it may influence your assessment.

Health Requirements by Visa Type

Health assessments do vary significantly between visa subclasses. Here is a quick look at what you might find according to your visa.

Permanent Visas (Skilled, Partner, and Family)

Permanent visa applicants, including skilled migration, partner, and family visa holders, must undergo a full medical examination.

Requirements by age:

• All ages: Full physical examination.
• 11 years +: Chest X-ray.
• 15 years +: HIV test.
• 75 years +: Additional fitness-to-travel report and evidence of adequate health cover.

The health evaluations are applicable for a duration of one year. A health waiver may be given in cases where the medical condition is likely to cost more than AUD 51,000 in healthcare or community services within a period of 5 years (3 years if the patient is 75 years or older).

Temporary Visas (Student, Work, Visitor)

When applying for a temporary visa, it is necessary to evaluate the requirements depending on your time period, activities, and country of residence:

• Visitor visas (< 3 months): Usually, no exam unless specific health concerns exist.
• Visitor visas (< 3 months): Usually, no exam unless specific health concerns exist.
• Student visas: All applicants must complete a full visa health assessment, often including chest X-ray and blood tests.
• Work or Temporary Skill Shortage (482 visa): Requires a medical examination similar to the permanent visa process.
• Aged 75 + applicants: Fitness examination mandatory for any temporary stay.
• Healthcare or childcare workers: Must undergo enhanced screening for Hepatitis B/C and HIV.

Temporary Visas (Student, Work, Visitor)

A complete medical examination and chest X-ray are mandatory for all applicants sponsored by employers. 

 Partners and dependants are evaluated according to the visa subclass and the role involved. 

 The applicants are required to be free of communicable diseases and to meet the high cost threshold.

Partner Visas (309/100, 820/801, 300)

Medical requirements for partner visas, however, involve a thorough examination of the applicant as well as any dependents. The sponsor in Australia is not required to undergo any medical tests. Generally, the tests are performed once the application is lodged, and their results are valid for one year.

What Medical Examinations Involve

One of the main steps in the process of getting an Australian visa is understanding the medical examination requirements clearly. The health tests of all applicants have to be conducted by a panel doctor approved by the Department of Home Affairs, that is, a medical practitioner designated by the department.

A standard panel doctor examination usually takes 2–3 hours and includes:

• A full physical examination, reviewing your medical history, vital signs, and general health.
• A chest X-ray for applicants aged 11 years and over to check for lung conditions such as tuberculosis.
• An HIV test for applicants aged 15 and above, or anyone applying for a permanent visa or working in healthcare.
• Hepatitis B and C screening for healthcare professionals or those from higher-risk backgrounds.
• Tuberculosis screening for children aged 2–11 years.
• Blood tests, including kidney function (eGFR), for applicants aged 15+.
• Vision testing and urine tests are performed when age or medical history indicates they are needed.

In case your first results arouse worries, further testing will be necessary. After finishing, the data are electronically uploaded in approximately 48 hours and subsequently checked by the Australian health authorities to verify that the applicants actually comply with the health requirements for immigration to Australia.

The Significant Cost Threshold Explained

The phrase “significant healthcare costs” usually creates doubts. Practically speaking, it indicates that if the treatment or community service cost, as diagnosed by you, is going to be more than AUD $51,000 over the period of assessment, then the department might categorise that as a “significant cost”. 

The cost estimation for permanent visas normally extends to five years, while for temporary visas, it is determined by the duration of the visa you intend to stay. 

Having a health issue does not imply visa refusal right away. A lot of patients, while suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, which are under control, easily pass the criteria.

Health Waivers and Exemptions

There are situations when health waivers can be given even to applicants who do not completely comply with Australia’s health requirements. A health waiver for an Australian visa is given if the Department of Home Affairs is convinced that the applicant’s health issue will not cause a high cost to the community or will not prevent the applicant from using health or community services that are in short supply.

However, not all visa types allow for a health waiver. They’re most commonly available for skilled visas, certain employer-sponsored categories, and specific family visa situations.

The waiver process is separate from the main visa application and usually follows an assessment by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth, whose recommendation can support your request.

While not guaranteed, health exemptions offer a fair opportunity for applicants with manageable conditions to still contribute to Australia’s workforce and community.

Arranging Your Medical Examination

Making proper arrangements for your health exams will make the process easier and save you from unnecessary delay.

When to book: The vast majority of applicants go through medicals right after they submit their visa applications. In case you want to do it beforehand, you can make use of My Health Declarations (MHD), which is an online service allowing you to finish your health checks before making an application. The results are valid for one year. 

After the submission of your visa application, you will be assigned an HAP ID, which is the only reference number the doctor will use to send the results directly to the Department of Home Affairs.

Where to book:

• Outside Australia: Schedule your exam with an approved panel physician in your country.
• In Australia: Book through Bupa Medical Visa Services.

Costs: Anticipate an expenditure of about AUD $300–600, which will vary according to the site and the tests needed. The results are usually sent electronically and take a couple of days at most.

Common Health Concerns and How They’re Assessed

Some applicants usually worry that their present health problems would make them lose a visa, which is a wrong notion since, in most cases, the visa application is not an issue at all.

• Diabetes: Usually fine if well-managed.
• Hypertension: Common and rarely an issue.
• Mental health conditions: Reviewed individually; mild or treated depression/anxiety not grounds for refusal.
• Previous tuberculosis: Accepted if fully treated and documented.
• Pregnancy: Chest X-ray postponed until after the first trimester.
• Chronic illnesses: Judged mainly on cost and treatment availability, not diagnosis alone.

The key is transparency; declare your condition and follow your doctor’s advice.

Parish Patience Can Support Your Health Assessment Journey

Understanding the health requirements by visa categories may be a hard task, especially when you are already suffering from a health issue or are confused about the health checks needed for your Australian visa. The professional team of Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers will be able to do the following:

• Illustrate the health qualifications for your Australian visa
• Assist you in the visa health assessment procedure
• Help you with the preparation of the necessary documents
• Counsel you regarding the health waiver application
• Act as a communication bridge with the Department or Medical Officer on your behalf

Parish Patience, who has been in the field for over twenty years, gives you a surety, precision, and professional direction throughout the whole process.

📞 Contact Parish Patience today to discuss your health assessment or visa application.

Conclusion

Medical evaluations for the visa application are an integral part of the immigration procedure to Australia, not a setback. 

Being familiar with the process well in advance will make your experience less stressful and without delays. Remember that the main goal is to safeguard and ensure the quality of the healthcare system in Australia, not to refuse applicants unjustly.

If you are in doubt regarding the health requirements for an Australian visa or if you are worried about a particular health issue, do not hesitate to contact us. Get in touch with Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers today!