A health examination for an Australian visa is a formal requirement set by the Australian Government to ensure that visa applicants meet minimum health standards. These standards exist to protect public health, manage access to Australia’s healthcare system, and reduce significant costs to the community.

Most visa applicants, and in some cases their family members, must complete a medical examination for Australian visa purposes before a decision can be made. The exact requirements depend on the visa type, the applicant’s circumstances, and the length of stay in Australia.

This guide explains how the Australian visa health examination works, who must complete it, what examinations may be required, and how the process is managed by the Department of Home Affairs.

What is the Australian visa health requirement?

The Australian visa health requirement is a legal criterion that most visa applicants must meet to be granted a visa. The requirement assesses whether an applicant’s health condition could:

• Pose a risk to public health in Australia
  
• Result in significant healthcare or community service costs
  
• Limit access to services needed by Australian residents
  

Health examinations are used to assess whether an applicant meets this requirement. The results are reviewed by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth, who provides an assessment to the Department of Home Affairs. This medical assessment supports the visa decision but does not, on its own, determine whether a visa is granted or refused.

Who needs to complete a health examination for an Australian visa?

Most applicants for an Australian visa are required to complete a health examination. Whether a health examination is required depends on several factors, including:

• the type of visa being applied for
  
• the intended length of stay in Australia
  
• the applicant’s individual circumstances

In some cases, family members included in a visa application may also be required to meet the health requirement, even if they are not travelling to Australia at the same time. Family-based visas, including applications for the Onshore Partner Visa, commonly involve a health examination as part of the visa assessment process.

To confirm whether a health examination is required, applicants must check their visa application through ImmiAccount. If health examinations are required, an option to organise health examinations will appear, allowing the applicant to complete their medical history and receive a referral letter containing a HAP ID.

What health examinations are required for an Australian visa?

The health examinations required for an Australian visa are determined by the Department of Home Affairs based on the visa type, the applicant’s age, and individual circumstances. A medical examination may be required, and in some cases a chest X-ray or other specific examinations may be requested to assess whether the applicant meets Australia’s health requirement.

When should you complete your Australian visa health examination?

Applicants can complete their Australian visa health examination either before or after lodging their visa application, depending on the process used.

In some cases, health examinations can be undertaken in advance using the My Health Declarations system. In other cases, applicants must wait until they receive instructions and a HAP ID after lodging their visa application.

Health examination results are generally valid for a limited period. If results expire before a visa decision is made, applicants may be asked to complete new examinations.

Which medical providers are approved for Australian visa health checks?

Health examinations must be completed through approved medical providers only.

• In Australia, health examinations are conducted by Bupa Medical Visa Services.
  
• Outside Australia, applicants must attend a clinic operated by a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
  

Examinations completed by non-approved doctors or clinics are not accepted for an Australian visa health examination.

How do I book a health examination for my Australian visa online?

If you are required to complete health examinations, you will be provided with a list of required examinations and an identifier known as a HAP ID. Booking arrangements depend on whether you are in or outside Australia:

• You must use the HAP ID to make an appointment for your health examinations
  
• In Australia:
  
  • Health examinations must be arranged with Bupa Medical Visa Services
    
  • Appointments are booked online through Bupa Medical Visa Services
    
• Outside Australia:
  
  • Health examinations must be completed with a Department-approved panel physician or clinic
    
  • Panel physicians are doctors or radiologists appointed by the Department to conduct visa health examinations

What documents do I need to bring to a health examination for an Australian visa?

Applicants are required to bring specific documents to their appointment. These typically include:

• A valid passport in an original format
  
• The HAP ID or health examination referral letter

Applicants should also bring any prescription glasses or contact lenses they use, along with relevant medical reports for existing conditions and any previous chest X-rays, if available.

What happens after you complete your health examination?

After the health examination is completed, the results are submitted directly to the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants do not usually receive the medical reports themselves. A Medical Officer of the Commonwealth reviews the results and provides an assessment as part of the overall visa application.

Health examination results are assessed alongside other visa requirements, including character checks such as police certificates. Understanding police check validity for Australian visas can help applicants ensure their supporting documents remain current while their visa application is being processed. 

In some cases, further medical tests or information may be requested before a final assessment is made.

Health waivers and undertakings for Australian visas

In limited circumstances, a visa applicant who does not fully meet the health requirement may be considered for a health waiver or a health undertaking.

• Health waivers may be available for certain visa types, depending on legislative criteria.
  
• Health undertakings may require an applicant to agree to specific follow-up actions after arriving in Australia, such as medical treatment or monitoring.
  

Not all visa subclasses allow health waivers, and each case is assessed individually.

Conclusion

A health examination for an Australian visa is a mandatory part of the visa assessment process for most applicants. Understanding who needs to complete the examination, how it is booked, and how results are assessed can help applicants prepare accurately and avoid unnecessary delays.

Following official instructions and using approved medical providers is essential to meeting Australia’s health requirements and progressing a visa application smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions