Streamlined Health Requirements for Temporary Visa Applicants in Australia

The Department have recently announced a change to immigration policy wherein several temporary visa types are no longer required to undertake medical examinations on the basis of their nationality, previous residence, and proposed length of stay.  This means that for many temporary visa applicants in Australia, they may no longer need to meet the health requirement as part of their visa application processing.

However, it is imperative to note that this arrangement is in force for applicants that are already in Australia, and only for the following visa subclasses:

• Temporary Work (Subclass 401)
• Temporary Work International Relations (Subclass 403)
• Investor Retirement (Subclass 405)
• Training (Subclass 407)
• Temporary Activity (Subclass 408)
• Retirement (Subclass 410)
• Working Holiday (Subclass 417 and 462)
• New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Subclass 461)
• Skilled Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476)
• Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482)
• Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)
• Student (Subclass 500)
• Student Guardian (Subclass 590)
• Visitor (Subclass 600)
• Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 870)
• Diplomatic (Temporary) (Subclass 995)

Thus, if you are outside Australia when making the application for a temporary visa, you will still need to meet the health criterion by undertaking a medical examination.

Whilst this change is extremely beneficial in advocating for faster processing times, there are certain circumstances where some temporary visa applicants in Australia will be required to undertake the relevant health examinations regardless.

Please see below a list of the following circumstances where a temporary visa applicant will need to undertake a medical examination: 

• Have previously applied for a medical treatment, temporary protection or a provisional visa;
• Are expected to incur medical costs and expenses during their stay in Australia;
• Are intending to work (or study) as a doctor, nurse, dentist, or paramedic. As such, the concessions also do not apply if will likely enter a hospital, aged or disability care facility;
• If you are pregnant or intending to have a baby in Australia;
• Will be working with children at an Australian childcare centre;
• In relation to a visitor visa, if you are aged over 75 years old;
• Have had previous household contact with tuberculosis;
• Are requested to do so by the Department.

Therefore, it is important to understand that the Department may still request you to undertake these health and medical examinations if they deem fit. In saying that, if you have already made a health examination with Bupa Medical Services and have not yet attended, your appointment will be cancelled and refunded. If you have not received confirmation that your appointment has been cancelled, it is important for you to still attend. Further, you will not receive a refund for appointments already attended.

Whilst this is a temporary measure, with reviewal set to be undertaken in early 2023, we welcome this change, noting the impact that this may bring for many of our clients wishing to apply for a temporary visa in Australia or who have been waiting for a long time for their visas to be granted.

If you have any questions or queries with regard to this policy, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 1300 083 843 or by making an online enquiry with us.