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Health requirements for visa applications

Visa applicants must meet certain health requirements before a visa can be granted. This means they may be asked to undergo a health examination.

Health checks required

Temporary visa applicants

Applicants for temporary visas may be required to undergo a medical examination, chest x-ray and/or other tests depending on how long they propose to stay in Australia, their intended activities in Australia, their country's risk level for tuberculosis (TB) and other factors.

A visa applicant may need to undertake a health examination if:

  • their country of citizenship is a medium or higher risk as deemed by DIAC
  • they have spent more than three consecutive months in the last five years in a medium or higher risk country as deemed by DIAC
  • they are likely to enter a hospital or other health care environment, including nursing homes as either a patient, visitor, trainee or employee
  • they are likely to enter a classroom environment, including preschool, crèche and child care situations
  • they are known or suspected of having a medical condition, regardless of their length of stay
  • they are aged 75 years or older
  • there are indications that they may not meet the health requirement.

For further information, refer to: Health requirement for temporary entry to Australia Form 1163i [pdf]

Permanent visa applicants

All applicants for permanent visas, including the main applicant, partner and any dependants, must be assessed against the health requirement. Even if the applicant's partner and dependants are not included in the visa application, they must still be assessed against the health requirement.

Applicants for a permanent visa will be asked to undergo a medical examination, an x-ray if 11 years of age or older and an HIV/AIDS test if 15 years of age or older, as well as any additional tests requested by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC).

For further information, refer to: Health requirement for permanent entry to Australia Form 1071i [pdf]

When and how does the applicant arrange a health examination?

Applicants outside Australia

Applicant’s should not attend a health examination before having lodged their visa application unless the information about their visa specifically asks them to do so. Otherwise, they will be advised by DIAC if and when to attend a health examination.

Applicants must arrange their health examination with a Panel doctor and/or Panel radiology clinic nominated by the Australian Government. Unless otherwise indicated, health examinations conducted overseas are only acceptable if conducted by a Panel doctor/radiologist.

Applicants in Australia

Visa applicants in Australia must contact Medibank Health Solutions to arrange a health examination.

What documentation does an applicant need to take to the health examination?

An applicant must bring the following to their health examination:

  • passport, and a photocopy of the page that includes their photograph, name and date of birth for identification
  • any prescription spectacles or contact lenses
  • existing specialist and/or other relevant medical reports for known medical conditions
  • previous chest x-rays
  • required DIAC forms:

Health examination results

After the health examination the reports will be sent to DIAC, by the doctor.
Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months from the date the examination was assessed. If an applicant has completed a health examination within the last 12 months, these health results may be used for their current visa application. However, different visas and different lengths of stay in Australia may require greater formal assessments.

More information