In an effort to clear the visa processing backlog, the Department of Home Affairs recently announced that many eligible temporary visa applicants in Australia will not be required to undertake medical examinations to meet the health requirements. This is only a temporary measure and will be reviewed again in early 2023.
This is limited to applicants for the following visas, and only for applicants who are already in Australia.
- 401 – Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity)
- 403 – Temporary Work International Relations
- 405 – Investor Retirement
- 407 – Training
- 408 – Temporary Activity
- 410 – Retirement
- 417 and 462 – Working Holiday
- 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship
- 476 – Skilled Recognised Graduate
- 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage
- 485 – Temporary Graduate
- 500 – Student
- 590 – Student Guardian
- 600 – Visitor
- 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary)
- 995 – Diplomatic (Temporary)
For applicants who have made an appointment with Bupa Medical Visa Services, but have not yet undertaken the medical examination, their appointments may be cancelled. However, Bupa will provide refunds to these applicants.
Temporary Visa Still Required to Undertake Health Examination
Nevertheless, some temporary visa applicants will still be required to undertake health examination, such as those who:
- expect to incur medical costs or require medical treatment
- are intending to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic
- will enter a hospital, aged or disability care facility (if higher tuberculosis risk)
- are pregnant and intending to have the baby in Australia
- will work or train at an Australian childcare centre
- are aged over 75 years (if applying for a visitor visa)
- have had previous household contact with tuberculosis or
- are requested to do so by the Department.
If you are unsure, and have not been informed by Bupa and/or the Department, contact our team for more information.
