MEETING THE HEALTH REQUIREMENT
For all permanent and some temporary visas, a Medical will be required. If you work in a health or education field, or if you declare a significant medical history, a medical may also be required. Your agent will advise you whether it’s likely you will be asked to submit to a medical check.
Who has to undertake the Health Assessment, and what is involved?
All applicants on the visa will generally need a health check. Children usually will only need a physical examination. Adults will need a physical examination, chest x-ray, and possibly blood tests for HIV. Other tests may be required at the doctor’s discretion. Usually, all parts of the examination will be undertaken at the same time, in one appointment.
What if I have a pre-existing Medical Condition?
Everything must be declared in the questionnaire. If you have a pre-existing condition, or have been treated by a specialist, it is advisable to take with you a letter from your specialist which outlines the condition, your treatment, and expected future prognosis.
Is it possible to fail a Medical?
Yes, if the assessing doctor submits a report to the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) and a problem is identified. A visa may be refused if the MOC considers that the condition will result in:
- Excessive cost to the Australian taxpayer
- Prejudice of access to scarce community resources by Australians (eg. healthcare, education)
Does failing a medical mean automatic refusal of the visa?
Some visas have a particular Public Interest Criterion which allows for a Health Waiver, where you may be invited to submit a request for the Department to grant the visa in spite of the medical condition. The waiver is a special body of work and often includes an undertaking that undue costs would be met by the applicant or their family. Other visas do not allow for a waiver. If one person in the family unit fails a medical for a permanent visa, the visa would not be granted to anyone in the family.
My Health Declaration
This is the first step in completing the Health Requirement is that each applicant needs to complete “My Health Declaration” before booking medicals.
To allow us to lodge your Health Declaration, please provide answers to the questions below.
Once this has been received by us, we will generate your eHealth Referral letter and send it to you, so you can make arrangements for your Medicals. We’ll include details of how to find a medical centre near you.
Answer ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ to the following questions for each person included in your application.
