Health · Published 2026-05-26

The medical examination for your Australian visa

Most people applying for an Australian visa must meet a health requirement, and many are asked to complete one or more health examinations before their visa can be granted. This guide explains, in plain English, who needs an examination, what it involves, and how the health requirement is assessed.

This is general information only — not personal migration or medical advice. Requirements depend on your individual circumstances and change over time; always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to us if your situation is complex.

Do I need a medical examination?

It depends on your visa and your circumstances. Whether you need examinations — and which ones — is generally decided by:

the visa you are applying for and how long you intend to stay;
what you will do in Australia (for example, work or study in healthcare, aged care or childcare can trigger extra checks);
the countries you have lived in and time spent in places with a higher tuberculosis (TB) risk;
your age; and
any health conditions you declare.

Some short-stay visitor applicants are not asked to do any examinations, while others — particularly those applying for permanent or longer-term visas — need a full set. The Department, or your visa application, will tell you exactly what is required.

The common examinations

The examinations are identified by number on your referral. The most common are:

Medical examination (501) — a general health check by a doctor: your history, height and weight, blood pressure, vision, and a physical examination.
Chest X-ray (502) — usually for applicants aged 11 and over, mainly to screen for tuberculosis. Pregnant applicants can usually defer or arrange an alternative.
HIV test (707) — generally for applicants aged 15 and over (and sometimes younger, for example in adoption or refugee cases).

Depending on the visa, your age, your country and your declared health, you may also be asked for additional tests — for example further TB investigations, hepatitis B or C, syphilis, or specific clearances for people who will work in health, aged care or childcare settings.

Where you complete them

You generally cannot use your own GP. Examinations must be done by a Department-approved provider:

In Australia: through Bupa Medical Visa Services, the Department’s contracted provider, at one of its clinics.
Outside Australia: at a Department-approved panel physician or panel clinic in your country.

Clinics record your results in the Department’s eMedical system and send them electronically — you don’t carry paperwork between the clinic and the Department.

How the process works

Get a HAP ID. You need a Health Assessment Portal (HAP) ID to book. You normally receive one after lodging your visa application, or you can generate one beforehand through My Health Declarations to complete your examinations up front (this can save time on decision-ready applications).
Book and attend. Book with Bupa (in Australia) or an approved panel clinic (overseas), bring acceptable photo ID, and complete the examinations listed on your referral.
Results are sent electronically. The clinic uploads your results via eMedical.
Assessment. A Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) reviews the results against the health requirement and advises the Department.

The health requirement and “significant cost”

The health requirement exists to:

protect the Australian community from public-health risks (for example, active tuberculosis);
contain public expenditure on health care and community services; and
protect Australians’ access to services that are in short supply.

If an applicant has a condition that would likely result in significant health-care or community-service costs, or affect access to services in short supply, it may not meet the requirement. The cost is measured against a threshold set by the Department (review the current figure on the Department’s meeting the health requirement page). Failing the health requirement does not automatically mean refusal — see waivers below.

Health waivers

For some visa subclasses — for example certain partner, skilled and refugee/humanitarian visas — a health waiver may be available where an applicant fails the requirement only on cost grounds (not because of an active public-health risk such as untreated TB). When a waiver is available, the decision-maker weighs the likely costs against other factors. A waiver is not available for every visa, so whether one applies depends on the specific subclass.

If you have a known condition that could attract scrutiny, it is worth getting advice before you lodge, so any waiver argument and supporting evidence can be prepared properly.

Costs and timing

You pay for the examinations. Costs vary by country and by which tests are required; in Australia, Bupa publishes its fees.
Results are generally valid for about 12 months.
Booking, X-rays and any follow-up tests take time, and health is a common cause of processing delays — so it’s wise to plan examinations early rather than leave them to the last minute.

A few practical tips

Declare health conditions honestly. Non-disclosure causes far more problems than the condition itself.
Keep specialist reports handy if you have an ongoing condition — they help the MOC assess your case accurately.
Don’t self-diagnose your eligibility. Meeting the health requirement is a legal assessment, not a medical opinion — a manageable condition does not necessarily mean a problem, and a waiver may be available.

Where this fits in your application

Health is one of the common requirements across the visa system — alongside character, and (for skilled visas) a skills assessment and the points test. See the relevant visa pages for subclass-specific requirements, or read our complete guide to Australian immigration.

If you have a health concern that might affect your application — or you’d simply like to get the timing right — book a free first call and we’ll map it out with you.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a medical examination for an Australian visa?

Not always. It depends on the visa, how long you'll stay, what you'll do here, your age, the countries you've lived in, and your declared health. Some visitor applicants need none; many permanent and longer-term applicants need a full set.

Who carries out the examination?

A Department-approved provider — Bupa Medical Visa Services in Australia, or an approved panel physician or clinic overseas. Your own GP generally cannot do it.

What tests are included?

Most commonly a general medical examination (501), a chest X-ray (502) for applicants aged 11 and over, and an HIV test (707) for applicants aged 15 and over. Some people need additional tests depending on their visa, age, country and occupation.

How long are the results valid?

Generally about 12 months. If your visa isn't decided within that window, you may be asked to repeat some examinations.

Will a health condition mean my visa is refused?

Not necessarily. The health requirement is a legal assessment of public-health risk and likely costs. Many conditions are fine, and for some visas a health waiver is available where an applicant fails only on cost grounds.

Is there a health waiver?

For some subclasses, yes — for example certain partner, skilled and humanitarian visas — where the only issue is cost rather than an active public-health risk. It is not available for every visa.

How much does it cost?

You pay, and the amount varies by country and the tests required. In Australia, Bupa Medical Visa Services publishes current fees.