Key takeaways
- Not all visas require health exams: Permanent visas, healthcare workers, applicants 75+, and temporary stays of 6 months or more from high-risk TB countries typically need them
- Standard tests for permanent visas include: Medical examination (all ages), chest X-ray (11+), HIV test and serum creatinine/eGFR (15+), and hepatitis B if born in a high-risk country
- Results are valid for 12 months: If your visa takes longer to process, you may need to repeat the examination
- In Australia, book through Bupa MVS: Outside Australia, use an approved panel physician in your country
- Health waivers exist for some visas: The current "significant cost" threshold is AUD 86,000
- Wait for your HAP ID before booking: The Department will tell you exactly which tests you need after you apply
Getting a visa health examination feels like adding another layer of bureaucracy to an already stressful process. You've gathered your documents, completed your application, and now you need to prove you're healthy enough for Australia. The good news is that for most applicants, the medical examination is straightforward and rarely causes visa refusals.
This guide covers everything you need to know: which visas require health examinations, what happens during the exam, how to book, and what to do if you have a pre-existing health condition.
Which visas require health examinations?
Most permanent and provisional visa applicants need to complete health examinations, but the requirement depends on your visa type, intended length of stay, and what you plan to do in Australia.
You will generally need a health examination if:
- You're applying for a permanent or provisional visa (partner, skilled, parent, child visas)
- You plan to stay in Australia for 6 months or more and you're from a high-risk tuberculosis country
- You intend to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse, or paramedic
- You'll work or train at a childcare centre, including preschools and creches
- You're from a high-risk TB country and likely to enter a healthcare or hospital environment
- You're pregnant and intend to give birth in Australia
- You're 75 years or older and applying for a Visitor visa (Subclass 600)
- You come from a country with public health concerns such as tuberculosis, polio, or Ebola
Visas that typically require health examinations:
Temporary visa rules: Health exams are generally only required if you're from a high-risk TB country and your stay is 6 months or more. Special circumstances (healthcare work, childcare work, pregnancy, age 75+) can also trigger requirements regardless of TB risk or length of stay.
The Department determines your exact requirements after you apply. Wait for your HAP ID (Health Assessment Protocol ID) before booking any examinations.
Recent changes: temporary visa waivers
The Department of Home Affairs has periodically waived health examination requirements for certain onshore temporary visa applicants. These waivers have applied to categories including Temporary Work, Temporary Skill Shortage, Student, and Visitor visas for applicants already in Australia.
If you're applying onshore, check the Department's website or your ImmiAccount for current waiver eligibility. These policies change, so don't assume the waiver applies to you without confirmation.
What does the health examination include?
Health examination requirements vary based on your age, visa type, and country of origin. The Department will specify exactly which tests you need in your HAP ID letter after you apply.
Standard examination components
Medical examination (all ages) A general physical examination conducted by an approved panel physician. The doctor will assess your overall health, check vital signs, review your medical history, and look for any conditions that might affect your visa eligibility.
Chest X-ray (ages 11 and above) Required to screen for tuberculosis (TB). This is the most common additional test. The X-ray is reviewed by a radiologist, and results are submitted electronically to the Department.
HIV test (ages 15 and above) A blood test screening for HIV. Required for permanent and provisional visa applicants. Not routinely required for temporary visa applicants unless working in healthcare.
Serum creatinine/eGFR (ages 15 and above) A blood test to assess kidney function. Required for permanent and provisional visa applicants, and for temporary applicants from high-risk TB countries staying 6 months or more.
Hepatitis B test Required for permanent and provisional visa applicants who were born in a country with a higher risk of hepatitis B, and for applicants who are pregnant and plan to have their baby in Australia.
Hepatitis B and C tests Required if you are 15 or older and intend to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse, or paramedic.
TB screening tests (TST or IGRA) Children aged 2 to 10 from high TB-incidence countries may need a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test instead of a chest X-ray. IGRA requires one visit; TST requires two visits 48-72 hours apart.
Additional tests you might need
Depending on your circumstances, the panel physician may request:
- Specialist referrals for identified conditions
- Additional blood tests for specific concerns
- Mental health assessment in some cases
- Vaccination records for certain visa types
You'll need to pay for any additional tests requested during your appointment.
Special circumstances
Pregnancy: If you're less than 14 weeks pregnant, you'll need to defer your chest X-ray until after the first trimester. The medical examination will be held pending until the X-ray is completed. After 14 weeks, the X-ray can proceed with protective lead shielding.
Minors born in Australia: Since October 2024, visa applicants who are minors born and ordinarily resident in Australia are no longer required to meet the PIC health criteria.
How to book your health examination
The booking process differs depending on whether you're in Australia or overseas.
In Australia: Bupa Medical Visa Services
All visa health examinations within Australia are conducted through Bupa Medical Visa Services (Bupa MVS). This is the Department's exclusive provider for in-country examinations.
How to book:
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Wait for your HAP ID: After you submit your visa application, the Department will send you a HAP ID through ImmiAccount. This letter specifies exactly which examinations you need.
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Book online or by phone: Visit the Bupa MVS website at bupa.com.au/bupamvs or call 1300 794 919. You'll need your HAP ID to complete the booking.
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Pay upfront: Examination fees must be paid when booking. Credit, debit, and prepaid cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). A 0.495% surcharge applies to card payments.
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Attend your appointment: Bring your valid passport and HAP ID or e-Medical Referral Letter. Allow approximately 2 hours for the full examination.
Modifying your appointment: If you can't attend, cancel or reschedule through the Bupa MVS website or call their contact centre. You'll need your HAP ID to make changes.
Outside Australia: Panel physicians
If you're applying from overseas, you must attend an examination with one of the Department's approved panel physicians or clinics. These are medical practitioners specifically authorised to conduct Australian visa health assessments.
Finding a panel physician:
Visit the Department's panel physician finder to locate approved doctors in your country. Each country has designated panel clinics, and you cannot use a non-approved doctor.
What to bring:
- Valid passport
- HAP ID or e-Medical Referral Letter
- Any relevant medical records
- Payment (methods vary by clinic)
How much does it cost?
Health examination fees vary depending on:
- Which tests you need
- Where you have the examination done
- Whether additional tests are requested during the appointment
In Australia, Bupa MVS publishes their fee schedule on their fees page. Costs vary by location and required tests.
Outside Australia, fees vary significantly by country and clinic. Budget for the initial examination plus potential additional tests. You're responsible for all costs, including specialist referrals if required.
Tern Tip
Before booking, confirm exactly which tests your HAP ID requires. Some applicants book more tests than necessary, paying for examinations they don't need. Your HAP ID letter is specific to your situation.
After your examination: what happens next
Once your health examinations are complete, the panel physician or Bupa MVS submits your results electronically through the eMedical system directly to the Department of Home Affairs. You don't need to do anything.
Tracking your results
You can monitor the status of your health assessment through ImmiAccount. Results typically take several days to a few weeks to be processed, depending on:
- Whether additional specialist review is required
- The complexity of any identified conditions
- Current processing volumes
Possible outcomes
Health requirement met: Your results show no concerns, and your application proceeds to other assessment criteria.
Further information requested: The Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) may request additional tests, specialist reports, or clarification about a condition.
Health undertaking required: The MOC may recommend you sign a health undertaking, committing to specific actions like treatment compliance or regular monitoring.
Health requirement not met: If a condition is identified that doesn't meet health standards, the outcome depends on whether a health waiver is available for your visa subclass.
How long are results valid?
Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months from the date of your examination. If your visa application takes longer than 12 months to process, you may need to repeat the health examinations.
If you're required to sign a health undertaking, your results may only be valid for 6 months.
Don't complete your health examination too early. Wait until after you've applied for your visa and received your HAP ID to avoid results expiring before your visa is decided.
What if you have a health condition?
Having a health condition doesn't automatically mean your visa will be refused. The Department assesses whether your condition might:
- Threaten public health (particularly active tuberculosis)
- Result in significant healthcare costs to the Australian community
- Prejudice access to healthcare services for Australian citizens and permanent residents
The "significant cost" threshold
The Department calculates whether your condition would cost more than the Significant Cost Threshold (SCT), which is currently AUD 86,000. This threshold was increased from AUD 51,000 effective 1 July 2024.
The assessment period varies depending on your circumstances:
- Permanent or provisional visa applicants: costs are assessed over 5 years (or 3 years if you're 75 or older)
- Permanent or ongoing conditions with a predictable course: costs are assessed over your remaining life expectancy, up to a maximum of 10 years
- Temporary visa applicants: costs are assessed for the duration of your intended stay
The threshold itself is based on the average health and community services spending per Australian, published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Important limitation: The Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) can only consider your medical situation, not your personal circumstances. This means:
- Your private health insurance doesn't count
- Your financial capacity to pay for treatment doesn't count
- Your job skills or contribution to Australia doesn't count
These factors may only be considered if a health waiver applies to your visa (explained below).
Conditions that commonly raise concerns
- Active tuberculosis: The only condition specifically mentioned in the Migration Act as grounds for refusal. Treatment must be completed before a visa can be granted.
- HIV: Not an automatic refusal, but treatment costs are assessed against the threshold.
- Hepatitis B and C: Assessed based on treatment requirements and ongoing care costs.
- Chronic conditions: Conditions requiring ongoing medication, dialysis, or specialist care are assessed for projected costs.
- Mental health conditions: Assessed based on treatment and support service requirements.
- Disabilities: Assessed based on support services and healthcare needs.
What happens if you don't meet the health requirement?
If the MOC determines you don't meet the health requirement, the outcome depends on your visa subclass:
Visas without health waiver (PIC 4005): If your visa is subject to Public Interest Criterion 4005, there is no mechanism to waive the health requirement. The visa must be refused. This applies to many permanent skilled and employer-sponsored visas.
Visas with health waiver (PIC 4007): If your visa is subject to Public Interest Criterion 4007, you may request a health waiver. The Minister (or delegate) has discretion to grant the visa despite not meeting the health requirement.
Health waivers: when and how they apply
Health waivers are not available for all visas. Currently, less than a third of all visa subclasses have access to a health waiver, primarily in the family and humanitarian categories.
Visas that typically have health waiver access
- Partner visas (Subclass 820/801, 309/100)
- Child visas
- Refugee and Humanitarian visas
- Parent visas (some subclasses)
- Certain temporary skilled visas
Visas that typically do NOT have health waiver access
- Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)
- Many employer-sponsored categories
What the Department considers for health waivers
If a health waiver is available for your visa subclass, the Department assesses:
- Estimated lifetime cost of your medical treatment
- Your capacity to mitigate costs through personal income, assets, or family support
- Private care arrangements that reduce burden on public services
- Benefits you bring such as professional skills or community contribution
- Impact on Australian family members if the visa were refused
- Whether your condition is stable or improving
Tern Tip
If you have a health condition and need a waiver, provide comprehensive evidence of your ability to manage costs privately: documented income, savings, private health insurance, and family support arrangements. The more you can demonstrate reduced burden on public services, the stronger your case.
Children born in Australia
Special rules apply to eligible children born and ordinarily resident in Australia. If a child is born in Australia and would otherwise not meet the health requirement due to a condition, they may still be granted a visa without needing a formal health waiver, provided specific criteria are met.
Frequently asked questions
Final thoughts
The health examination process is one of the more predictable parts of an Australian visa application. For most applicants, it's a routine step that rarely causes issues. Complete the examinations promptly after receiving your HAP ID, and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.
If you have a health condition, don't panic. The threshold for "significant cost" has been substantially increased in recent years, and health waivers exist for many visa categories. The key is understanding what applies to your visa and preparing strong evidence if a waiver request becomes necessary.
Before your examination:
- Wait for your HAP ID, which specifies exactly which tests you need
- Book promptly to avoid delays in your visa processing
- Bring all required documents including passport and referral letter
If you have a health condition:
- Check whether your visa subclass has access to a health waiver
- Gather evidence of your ability to manage healthcare costs privately
- Consider seeking professional migration advice before applying
Ready to apply? Start your application with Tern. Our platform guides you through every requirement, and every application receives immigration lawyer oversight.
