If you’ve applied for a visa, you’re probably already aware of the health requirement. However, did you know that the Australian government is temporarily loosening these rules? If you are currently here in Australia on any of the following visas, this will apply to you.
403 - Temporary Work International Relations
405 - Investor Retirement
407 - Training
408 - Temporary Activity
417 - 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)
The Australian Government is streamlining requirements for temporary visa applicants in Australia. Temporary visa applicants in Australia will not be required to undertake medical examinations and chest x‐rays - based on their nationality, previous residence and proposed length of stay - in order to meet the health requirement.
There are, however, a few exceptions to this new rule. Temporary visa applicants in Australia will still be required to undertake relevant medical examinations and/or chest x-rays if they:
have applied for a medical treatment, temporary protection or a provisional visa;
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 have already made a health examination appointment with Bupa Medical Visa Services and have not yet attended it, your appointment may be cancelled and refunded. Bupa will contact you via SMS to advise you of this. Do not contact Bupa to cancel your appointment yourself. If you are not advised that your appointment has been cancelled, you should attend if possible.
This arrangement is temporary, and will be reviewed by the government in early 2023. You can read more on the Government website here.