What To Expect In A Health Examination for an Australian Visa Application?
As part of your Australian visa application, you may be required to undergo health examinations to ensure that applicants meet minimum health requirements. These examinations are conducted to:
Protect the local community from public health threats.
Estimate the potential costs the applicant may incur to the healthcare system.
Assess the impact on services that are in short supply.
When are health examinations required?
The requirement for health examinations depends on various factors, including:
The length of the visa you are applying for.
The country from which you are applying.
Any pre-declared medical conditions.
Other significant circumstances.
What are the types of tests in a health examination?
The specific test requirement will depend on case-by-case circumstances. Common tests performed during a visa medical health examination include:
Chest X-ray
Medical examination
HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C tests
TB Screening Test
How do I make a booking for a health examination?
If you are in Australia:
Onshore Appointments: Book your examination through the Bupa Visa Medical website. Note that health examinations cannot be completed with other health providers.
Outside of Australia:
Offshore Appointments: Applicants must book their appointment with an approved panel physician. To locate a panel physician, visit the Department of Home Affairs website, select your country, and find the list of approved physicians.
What are the costs for Medical Examinations?
The cost of medical examinations varies depending on your location and the specific tests required. Note that medical appointments for visa purposes are not eligible for private health rebates.
Some health examinations costs if you are in Australia:
| Item Code | Service | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | Medical Examination only | $261.40 |
| 501 + 502 | Medical Examination and Chest X-ray | $362.20 |
| 502 | Chest X-ray only | $135.10 |
| 712 | Syphilis (Pathology as part of medical exam) | $46.20 |
| 708 | Hepatitis B (Pathology as part of medical exam) | $65.10 |
| 716 | Hepatitis C (Pathology as part of medical exam) | $65.10 |
| 707 | HIV (Pathology as part of medical exam) | $56.30 |
| 719 | TB Screening Test (IGRA) | $103.30 |
| 502 + 510 | Paediatric Chest X-ray (2 x views) | $140.40 |
Outside of Australia
Costs will vary by overseas clinic for further information regarding the specific health examination fees for popular offshore locations, including New Zealand, India, China, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
What to bring to health examination appointment?
Please ensure that you have the following items when attending your visa medical appointment:
A current passport (expired no more than 2 years).
Your eMedical referral letter shows the required examinations and your HAP ID.
Prescription contacts or lenses (if applicable).
Any relevant specialist reports.
What to Expect during the health examination?
Early Arrival: Arrive 15 minutes early to allow for identity verification and registration.
Documentation Check: Staff will cross-check your documents and take a passport-style photo.
Secure Waiting Room: After registration, you will be taken to a secure waiting area where only individuals undergoing examinations are allowed.
Changing Area: Before proceeding with the examinations, you will receive a scrub-style shirt and a locker key to store your belongings.
What will happen after the health examination?
Upon completion of your examinations:
You will return the folder containing your details to the medical staff.
The results will be transmitted electronically to the Department within 5 business days.
The results are for departmental use only and will not be accessible to you or anyone else.
You can always check the status of your health examinations through your ImmiAccount.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Understanding the health examination process may ease some fear for visa applicants in meeting the health requirements for Australian visa applications. If you do not meet the health criteria, speak to one of our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law with our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents at Agape Henry Crux. The team specialises in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.