The Department of Home Affairs has implemented several regulatory and policy changes due to the adverse impact of Covid-19. Among these changes are temporary concessions for both visa holders and applicants relating to health examinations for temporary visa applicants, aimed at streamlining temporary visa applications.
Temporary visa applicants will not be required to undertake medical examinations and/or chest x-rays in order to meet the health requirement. This is applicable for all eligible temporary visa applications made in Australia which are currently lodged with the Department for the following visas:
- Subclass 407 – Training
- Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage
- Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate
- Subclass 500 – Student visa
- Subclass 600 – Visitor visa
- Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity
- Subclass 417 and 462 – Working Holiday
- Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary)
- Subclass 590 – Student Guardian
- Subclass 476 – Skilled – Recognised Graduate
- Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship
- Subclass 405 – Retirement
- Subclass 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations)
This is applicable unless, the applicant:
- Is pregnant and intending to deliver the baby in Australia
- Expected to require treatment or incur medical costs
- Applied for temporary protection, a provisional or medical treatment visa
- Is intending to enter a hospital, disability or aged care facility and of high tuberculosis risk (including those intending to be work or study to be a doctor, dentist, paramedic or nurse)
- Is intending to work or train at an Australian childcare facility
- Is over 75 years of age and applying for a visitor visa
- Have had close contact with a person with tuberculosis, or
- Are requested to do so by the Department of Home Affairs
Although the measure is intended to streamline processes, please keep in mind the Department may request for you to undergo medical examinations and/or chest x-rays at their discretion, despite being a temporary visa applicant.
Whether you are required to undergo health examinations may depend on the type of visa you are applying for, your intended length of stay, your intention for your stay in Australia, the country in which you’ve applied from, any significant medical conditions or special circumstances applicable to you.
If your circumstances have changed since you completed the form or you think you may need to undergo medical examinations or a chest -ray, please notify the Department. You must always answer the questions on your form truthfully as your visa may be subject to cancellation in the event that the Department becomes aware of any false declarations.
Whether you are required to do so will be updated on your ImmiAccount or available to your migration agent.
For those who have booked their health examination with Bupa, you may have received a notification from Bupa that your appointment has been cancelled and you may be eligible for a refund. If you have not yet received a notification from Bupa, you should attend your appointment as normal or contact Bupa to enquire as to the latest information. You will not be eligible for a refund if you have undergone a medical examination.
Concessions to meeting the health requirement for temporary visa holders or applicants are anticipated to be reviewed by the Australian Government in early 2023 and are temporary in nature.