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Health

People who want to migrate to, or stay temporarily in, Australia for long periods must undergo comprehensive examinations to ensure they meet Australia 's health standards.

The health requirement - which is defined in Australia 's Migration Regulations - is set by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on advice from the Department of Health and Ageing


  Background
 

The health requirement is one of a number of criteria which prospective migrants or long-term temporary residents must meet.

It is designed to ensure:

  • risks to public health in the Australian community are minimized;
  • public expenditure on health and community services is contained; and
  • Australian residents have access to health and other community services.

In line with Australia 's global non-discriminatory immigration policy, the health requirement applies equally to all applicants for migration or long-term temporary residence from all countries.

Immediate family members of any applicant, including dependent family members who do not intend to migrate, must be assessed against the health requirement.

If an applicant cannot meet the health requirement, the visa application must be refused under the Migration Regulations, with limited exceptions (see 'Waivers' below).

People applying for visas to stay temporarily for shorter periods may also be required to undergo a medical, and/or X-rays, if their health is significant to their work or lifestyle, or if there is a very high risk of tuberculosis rating in the country where they have been staying. (See 'Additional Information' below for more details.)

This includes classroom and health care environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, creches and pre-school childcare, or where there are indications they may not meet the health requirement.

   
  The decision process
 

Health examinations can be expensive and complex and are taken very seriously.

Generally, the DIMIA processing officer will ensure that the applicant has first met other relevant migrant or temporary entry criteria, and then ask the applicant to start their health assessment.

In some instances (particularly for applications made in Australia ), applicants may undertake health processing before lodging an application.

The decision to approve an application is not taken until the results of the health assessment are received at the DIMIA processing office. They may have been referred to a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) in Australia for formal opinion.

The processing officer is required by law to accept the MOC's opinion on whether an applicant meets the health requirement.

The MOC's opinion is based on the results of medical and radiological examinations, which include an applicant's medical history, age, period of intended stay in Australia and other relevant considerations.

Provided the applicant does not pose a public health or safety risk, decisions are based on the potential cost and impact on the Australian community resulting from the possible use of medical and related services.

No condition, with the exception of tuberculosis, automatically precludes the grant of a visa. All other conditions are investigated individually for estimated costs and resource use impact on the Australian community.

Australia 's comprehensive medical system, Medicare, applies to all Australian citizens and residents in need and it is not possible to 'opt out' of Medicare.

In assessing cost, the MOC takes into account the applicant's likely need for medical, pharmaceutical and community services, including assisted accommodation, home and community care, special education and income support such as Special Benefit, Disability Support Pension and Carer's Pension.

These costs can amount to more than $2 million for one person.

Although a person may not intend to make use of these benefits, the MOC cannot by law take this intention into account. This is because of the difficulty in withholding entitlements held by all Australians. The MOC's opinion on the estimated costs must also by law be taken as correct.

   
 

Specific diseases

  Tuberculosis
 

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious public health risk and is occurring in epidemic levels globally, according to the World Health Organization.

Before the health requirement can be met, people found to have active or untreated TB must undergo a course of treatment, followed by further tests to confirm that the disease has been adequately treated.

From 25 March 2002 all permanent and some temporary entry applicants aged 11 or over must have a radiological examination to test for TB. Visa applicants under 11 have a medical examination in lieu of an X-ray, or may be requested to undergo X-ray if a doctor considers it warranted.

It is not recommended that pregnant women undergo X-ray. Health requirements and finalisation of the visa application can only be completed after the birth of the baby.

Where X-rays show possible evidence of TB, applicants are asked to undergo more specific tests to establish whether or not TB is active.

Applicants whose TB has been treated, as well as those with previous but now non-active TB, are required to sign a Health Undertaking.

In doing so, they agree to contact the Health Undertaking Service on a free-call number on arrival in Australia, and to report to the State or Territory health authority to which they have been referred for follow-up monitoring.

   
  Hepatitis B
 

Although the risk of Hepatitis transmission from newly-arrived migrants is considered by health authorities to be low, screening for Hepatitis B is mandatory where the applicant is:

  • pregnant;
  • a child for adoption; or
  • an unaccompanied minor refugee child.

For other applicants, examining doctors may seek a test for Hepatitis B if they consider it justified on clinical grounds.

Applicants who test positive for Hepatitis B do not automatically fail the health criterion, but in most cases are asked to report to the Health Undertaking Service for referral to State or Territory health authorities on their arrival in Australia .

   
  HIV/AIDS
  HIV/AIDS testing was introduced in 1989 for all migrants aged 15 or older. Applicants under 15 years old must also be tested if they are being adopted, have a history of blood transfusions, or have other clinical indications. Applicants diagnosed as positive for HIV/AIDS are not automatically refused. The condition will be investigated to estimate potential costs
   
  Waivers
 

The Migration Regulations allow the DIMIA processing officer to consider waiving the health requirement for some close family members or for humanitarian applicants (such as refugees) where the applicant does not represent a risk to public health or safety in Australia .

The waiver consideration is based on whether the applicant is likely to represent an undue cost to the Australian community or prejudice the access of Australians to medical and related services. Special circumstances are taken into account.
   
  Why do I need a health clearance to come to Australia ?
 

Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world. In order to help maintain these standards you must satisfy the health requirements specified in the Migration Regulations before you can be granted a visa for Australia . Dependants and family members who are included in the visa application are individually required to satisfy health requirements.

Australia 's health requirements are designed to:

  • minimise public health and safety risks to the Australian community,
  • contain public expenditure on health and community services, including Australian social security benefits, allowances or pensions, and
  • maintain access of Australian residents to health and other community services.

In line with Australia 's global non-discriminatory immigration policy, the health requirement applies equally to all visa applicants from all countries. Please note that Australia reserves the right to request medical information in any circumstances.

In view of the World Health Organisation's declaration of a global epidemic of tuberculosis (Tb), particular care is taken to screen for this disease including stringent treatment recommendations where signs of earlier infection, however small or old, are apparent. Should you have Tb, you will not be permitted to visit Australia until you have completed recommended treatment and successful re-testing.
   
  How do I arrange a health clearance?
 

Medical examinations and x-rays are conducted by qualified doctors and radiologists usually nominated by the Department.

Outside Australia : Do not complete your health examination before you lodge your visa application - you will be advised when you need to do so. Contact your nearest Australian diplomatic office for the health requirements, forms and available doctors.

In Australia : You may complete your health examination before lodging your application for a visa (and for some visas it is a formal requirement that you do). Contact Health Services Australia (HSA), to arrange a medical examination, on 1300 361 046 or at www.healthoz.com.au. Fees for medical examinations are set by HSA and you pay the fees directly to them. The forms are available from the Department's nearest regional office.

When you present yourself for your health examination, you should bring the following:

  • Form 26 Medical examination for an Australian visa, with a passport photograph attached,
  • Form 160 Radiological report on chest x-ray of an applicant for an Australian visa ,with a passport photograph attached
  • your passport for identification,
  • any prescription spectacles or contact lenses that you may wear, and
  • where you have a known medical condition, any existing specialist reports.

If you think or know that you are pregnant you must tell the person taking the x-ray. It is most likely that you will be asked to complete the x-ray examination after the birth. If you are female, you should not undergo the medical examination during your menstrual period.

   
  What health examinations are needed for visitors to Australia ?
 

Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world. In order to maintain these standards everyone entering Australia must meet health requirements, although this does not always require a formal examination.

If you are visiting Australia and not using ETA, you are required to declare your health status on your visa application form. In certain circumstances you may be asked to provide a doctor's report or undertake a medical and/or radiological examination. These may include where you are:

  • aged 70 years old or older,
  • a parent of an Australian and you have a "queued" migration application, and intend to stay for more than 6 months,
  • likely to enter a hospital or other health care environment, including nursing homes as a patient, visitor, trainee or employee, or for any purpose,
  • likely to enter a classroom environment, including preschool, creche and child care situations,
  • known or suspected of having a medical condition, regardless of your length of stay, or
  • intending to stay in Australia for more than 3 months, and you have recently visited or lived in a country with a Very High-risk rate of tuberculosis (Tb).
   
  What health examinations are needed for Overseas Students?
 

Individuals applying to study in Australia must satisfy the health requirements specified in the Migration Regulations. Any family unit members who are included in the visa application are also required to undergo at least the same level of health assessment examinations. The health of overseas students studying in Australia is of special concern due to the close contact in the classroom environment. Classroom situations include all levels of schooling and study.

Overseas countries are divided into four risk levels in terms of public health - low, medium, high and very high - according to the incidence rates of tuberculosis, as reported by the World Health Organisation, or as otherwise advised by Australian health authorities. For more information, including a list of countries in each risk group, please refer to Information Form 1163iHealth requirement for temporary entry to Australia . ( PDF File )

Please note that if you are required to undergo health examinations, whether you are applying in or outside Australia , processing of your student visa application cannot be completed until medical examinations and x-rays results are provided to the visa processing office.

Outside Australia : You will be requested to undertake health examinations once you have met the criteria for the student visa.

In Australia : You should complete health examinations before lodging an application for a student visa. If you have completed a health examination in the last twelve months you may not need to undertake a fresh examination, if the details, substance and date of the earlier reports can be confirmed to your visa officer by Departmental staff. Nationals of Sweden and Norway , applying for a student visa in Stockholm or in Australia , are not required routinely to undergo formal health examination.
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