Comprehensive Medical Assessments for Your Australian Visa Application
If you’re applying for an Australian visa from the UK, one of the key requirements is to undergo a medical examination. This is a standard part of the visa process and is used to ensure that applicants meet the health requirements set by the Australian government. Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, work visa, student visa, or permanent residency, our comprehensive visa medical services can guide you through the process smoothly. Our experienced accredited panel doctors are here to help you meet the Australian health requirements quickly and efficiently.
Why Do You Need a Medical for an Australian Visa?
The Australian government requires medical assessments as part of the visa application process to ensure applicants:
- Do not have any medical conditions that could pose a significant risk to public health or safety in Australia.
- Are not likely to require significant medical treatment or care, which could become a financial burden to Australia’s health system.
- Meet the health standards for living and working in Australia.
The medical examination also helps assess whether you have any contagious diseases, such as tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), evidence of HIV or hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Polio or a condition that might prevent you from working or living in Australia.
Who Needs to Undergo a Visa Medical?
Not all visa applicants need a medical, but certain categories of applicants are required to undergo one. These typically include:
- Applicants for temporary work visas (e.g., skilled worker, employer-sponsored visas)
- Applicants for permanent or provisional Visa (e.g., skilled, family, and humanitarian visas)
- Individuals applying for specific visa types, such as student visas (for long-term studies or those intending to work during their studies)
- Individuals applying for skilled migration visas
- Applicants who will be in Australia for an extended period (usually 6 months or more)
- Visitor visas (for extended stays or specific health concerns)
- Applicants with pre-existing medical conditions that may require further medical assessments
- Family members included in the visa application
- In certain cases, non-migrating family member
How to Check Your Health Examination Requirements
Depending on the type of application, you can check through the following process:
- For Online Applications: Log in to ImmiAccount, access your application, and click ‘View health assessment’ to find the ‘Organise health examinations’ link. Complete your medical history to receive a referral letter containing your HAP ID.
- For Paper Applications: Your visa processing officer will contact you if examinations are needed and provide a referral letter with your HAP ID.
You will need your HAP ID to book an appointment, so it is important you have it.
Please note, if you recently had Health Examinations in the last 12 months, you may not need to repeat all tests. Your referral letter will specify required examinations.
The Medical Examination Process
The medical examination for an Australian visa generally includes the following steps:
- Book an Appointment: Contact an approved panel doctor or medical center in your area. These are healthcare professionals authorized by the Australian Government to conduct the visa medicals. It’s important to schedule your appointment with one of these doctors to ensure the results are valid for your visa application.
- Complete the Health Questionnaire: Before your appointment, you may be required to complete a health questionnaire to provide information about your medical history and lifestyle
- Attend the Medical Examination: The panel doctor will conduct a physical examination, take any necessary tests (like blood or chest X-rays), and may request additional consultations depending on your medical history.
- Chest X-ray: Required for applicants over the age of 11 to check for tuberculosis.
- Blood Tests: Required for applicants over the age of 15 These tests help identify infectious diseases and other health issues.
- Urine Tests: Required for applicants over the age of 5 to check for infectious diseases and other health issues.
- Additional Tests: In some cases, additional tests may be required depending on your medical history and specific circumstances.
- Receive Your Results: Once your examination is complete, the results are sent directly to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. You will not be provided with the results yourself, as they are confidential.
- Wait for the Outcome: If the examination results are clear and there are no concerns, your visa application will proceed as usual. If there are medical issues, further investigations or treatments may be required before a decision is made.
Common Medical Concerns
While most applicants pass their visa medicals without issue, certain medical conditions may require additional assessment or may delay your visa processing. These include:
- Tuberculosis (TB) or a history of TB
- Hepatitis B or C
- HIV/AIDS
- Serious physical disabilities
- Severe mental health conditions
In such cases, further documentation, treatment plans, or specialist evaluations may be necessary.
Costs
The cost of the medical examination varies depending on the specific tests required.
Processing Time:
Processing times for medical results can take several weeks, so it’s essential to complete the medical early in your visa application process to avoid delays.
What to Expect:
- A full physical examination will be conducted, requiring applicants to undress to their underwear.
- Please note we do not have any female doctors that can carry out the assessment. You may request a chaperone to be present at your physical examination.
- We will be providing a private changing room or a curtained-off area. Gowns or sheets will be provided to clients on request.
- Female applicants are advised not to attend during their periods, if possible, as it can affect urine test results.
- The examination typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes, although it may take longer for elderly or frail applicants.
Other points to note:
Please do not conceal any medical conditions; deliberate attempts to hide them will be reported to the Australian Immigration Authorities. For female applicants, please do not conceal your pregnancy; being pregnant will have no impact on your immigration prospects. For female applicants, please postpone or re-schedule your appointment if you are menstruating, as it may affect the urine test result.
There is no need to fast prior to your appointment.
- Minors: Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide consent and make decisions on their behalf. Please postpone or re-schedule your appointment if you or your child are ill with a fever or have a rash.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant and undergoing a migration health assessment, you may choose to either get the chest X-ray with a double leaded shielding to protect you and your unborn baby or wait to proceed with the migration health assessment until after giving birth. If you choose to proceed with the chest X-ray, you will be requested to sign an additional consent form.
What to Bring:
Applicants must bring the following:
- Your Referral Letter – this will contain your HAP ID / TRN / VIsa Request ID
- A valid original passport
- Any medical reports on past or current medical conditions.
- Vaccination records(optional).
- Child Health and Development Record for children, if available
- Eyeglasses or lenses, if you wear them
- Address in country of origin printed.
- If you pre-paid for your migration health assessment, please bring a hard copy of the proof of payment.