Do I need a health examination if I am applying for an Australian visa?

Whether you will require a health examination will depend on the type of visa you are applying for.

The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) provides full details on their website but this blog will provide a brief summary.

Temporary visa applicants

The type of examination you will have to undertake will depend on:

• what visa you are applying for
• how long you plan to stay in Australia
• the level of tuberculosis (TB) risk from your country
• whether the DoHA determines your health is of special significance, based on what you plan to do in Australia
• any other special circumstances
• whether any significant medical conditions were found when you were examined or during the visa application process

Generally, temporary visa applicants need to have these tests:

• If you are from a low risk country and plan to say either up to or more than 6 months no health examinations will be required unless special circumstances apply
• If you are from a high risk country for any stay over 6 months you will need a medical examination and chest x-ray (if aged 11 years of age or over)

If you have been in Australia in the last 28 days, the DoHA will include any time you have already spent in Australia when they work out your length of stay for health requirement purposes.

In some situations, you might also need to have these additional tests:

• If you are from a country with a higher risk of TB and likely to enter a healthcare or hospital environment – you will need a chest x-ray examination (if aged 11 or over) and a medical examination
• If you are pregnant and intend to have the baby in Australia – a hepatitis B test
• If you intend to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic – a chest x-ray, a medical examination, a HIV test and hepatitis B and C tests
• If you are likely to work (or be a trainee) at an Australian childcare centre (including preschools and creches) – a chest x-ray and a medical examination
• If you are aged 75 years or older and applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) – a medical examination

You should be aware that when you attend the panel clinic you will be asked whether you plan to apply for a permanent stay in the next 6 to 12 months. If you answer yes, they will ask if you want to be assessed for permanent stay. You will have to have more examinations if you do and pay for the extra examinations.

Details of which countries are classified as low risk and high risk are obtained from the World Health Organization and contained in a legislative instrument that is published by the Minister.

Permanent and Provisional visa applicants

Whether you will need a health examination to get a visa for Australia will depend on the visa you are applying for and its duration.

Generally, permanent and provisional visa applicants need to have these health examinations:

• Under 2 years of age – a medical examination
• 2 or more but under 11 years of age – a medical examination and TB Screening test – either Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) if you are from a higher risk country for tuberculosis or are applying for a refugee or humanitarian type visa
• 11 or more but under 15 years of age – a medical examination and a chest x-ray
• 15 or more years of age – a medical examination, a chest x-ray and a HIV test

Other tests that may be required in addition to the above will be required in these circumstances:

• If you are 15 years of age or older and intend to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic – you will need a hepatitis B and C test
• If you are 15 years of age or older and applying for an onshore protection visa – you will need hepatitis B and C tests and a syphilis test
• If you are 15 years of age or older and applying for a refugee visa – a syphilis test and tests that address your specific health risks
• If you are pregnant and plan to have your baby in Australia – a hepatitis B test
• If you are a child for adoption or a child in the care of an Australian state or territory government welfare authority – a hepatitis B test and a HIV test

The DoHA may require you to have further tests if a health condition is identified when you have your initial health examination or during the visa application process.

Want more information on your health examination and applying for an Australian visa?

At FC Lawyers we can assist you with all you visa requirements and our team can walk you through the whole process including your health and medical requirements.

Contact our team of registered migration agents and immigration lawyers to discuss your Australian visa options and health examination requirements.