Last updated: 1 April 2026

Health Check for Australia PR: Complete Guide

Every applicant for permanent residency in Australia must satisfy the health requirement. The Department of Home Affairs requires health examinations to ensure that visa applicants do not pose a public health risk and that the cost of any health conditions will not place an unreasonable burden on the Australian healthcare system. This guide explains what examinations are required, how to book them, what happens during the medical examination appointment, what they cost, and what happens if a health issue is identified.

Understanding the health check process early is important because timing affects your application. Medical results are valid for only 12 months, so completing the examination too early or too late can create problems. This page covers every aspect of the health examination requirement — including the physical examination, chest X-ray, blood tests, TB screening, and HIV testing — as part of the broader Australia PR requirements.

What Health Examinations Are Required

The specific health examinations required for your PR application depend on your visa subclass, your age, and the length of your intended stay. For permanent visa applicants, the standard requirement is examination 501 (medical examination) and examination 502 (chest X-ray). Some applicants may also need examination 707 (HIV test) depending on their circumstances.

The Department of Home Affairs determines which examinations you need when you generate your Health Assessment Protocol (HAP) ID through ImmiAccount. The system automatically assigns the correct examination codes based on the information you provide about your visa subclass, age, country of residence, and intended occupation. You do not choose which examinations to take — the system tells you.

For most skilled migration visa applicants aged 15 and above, the standard package includes a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and blood and urine tests including an HIV test. Applicants intending to work in healthcare, childcare, or education may have additional examination requirements due to the nature of their occupation.

The Panel Physician Process

Health examinations for Australian visa applications must be conducted by an approved panel physician. You cannot use your own GP or a hospital of your choice. In Australia, Bupa Medical Visa Services (BVMS) is the sole designated provider for immigration health examinations. Outside Australia, the Department of Home Affairs maintains a directory of approved panel physicians organised by country.

To find your nearest panel physician, log into your ImmiAccount and navigate to the health examination section. The system provides a searchable directory based on your location. In major cities across India, the UK, the Philippines, China, and the Middle East, there are typically multiple approved clinics to choose from. In smaller cities or regional areas, you may need to travel to the nearest available clinic.

The booking process works as follows: generate your HAP ID in ImmiAccount, locate a panel physician through the directory, contact the clinic directly to schedule an appointment, and attend with your passport, HAP ID letter, and any required photographs (some clinics require passport-sized photos). Most clinics can accommodate appointments within one to two weeks of contact, though wait times increase during peak lodgement periods between January and March.

Bupa Medical Visa Services in Australia

If you are applying from within Australia, all immigration health examinations are conducted through BVMS. Bupa operates clinics in every capital city and several regional centres. Appointments are booked online through the Bupa Medical Visa Services website, where you enter your HAP ID to generate the correct examination list.

BVMS clinics are purpose-built for visa medicals, which means the process is generally efficient. Most standard examinations take 30 to 60 minutes. Results are uploaded directly to the Department of Home Affairs electronically through the eMedical system — you do not receive a copy of the results to submit yourself. The clinic provides a receipt confirming the examination was completed and the results uploaded.

Processing time for results to appear in your ImmiAccount is typically 2 to 5 business days after the appointment, though complex cases requiring specialist review may take longer. If the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) requires further information, you will be contacted through ImmiAccount with a request for additional tests or documentation. BVMS appointments cost between $350 and $500 AUD for the standard adult examination.

What Happens During the Medical Examination

The medical examination is a compulsory step for almost every Australian visa application. For applicants pursuing permanent residency, the examination must be completed at an approved panel physician clinic and the results uploaded electronically to the Department of Home Affairs. This section walks through exactly what happens at the appointment — each test, what it checks for, and how to prepare.

Before the Appointment: Generating Your HAP ID

Before you can book a medical examination, you need a Health Assessment Protocol (HAP) ID. This is generated through your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Log in, navigate to the health examination section, and complete the health declaration form. The system will generate a HAP ID and a referral letter that specifies which examinations you need based on your visa subclass, age, and intended occupation.

Print the referral letter and bring it to your appointment. The panel physician cannot conduct the examination without a valid HAP ID because the results must be uploaded to the eMedical system using this identifier. If you attempt to attend a clinic without a HAP ID, you will be turned away. The HAP ID is valid for 12 months from the date of generation, which gives you ample time to schedule the appointment.

When generating the HAP ID, answer all health declaration questions honestly. The declaration asks about your medical history, current medications, previous surgeries, and whether you have ever been diagnosed with specific conditions including TB, hepatitis, HIV, or mental health conditions. Providing false information in the health declaration is a serious matter — it can lead to visa refusal under the character requirement if discovered during the examination or later.

The Physical Examination

The physical examination is the first component of the appointment and is conducted by the panel physician directly. This is a comprehensive general health assessment that covers multiple body systems. The physician records your height, weight, and body mass index. Blood pressure is measured, typically while seated after a brief rest period. The physician listens to your heart with a stethoscope, checking for murmurs, irregular rhythms, or other abnormalities. Your lungs are assessed through auscultation — the doctor listens to your breathing through the stethoscope at multiple points on your chest and back.

The abdominal examination involves palpation to check for organ enlargement or masses. Your skin is inspected for signs of infectious conditions, chronic disease, or injection marks. The physician examines your ears, nose, and throat, and checks your lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin for enlargement that might indicate infection or other conditions.

The physician also conducts a neurological screening, which may include checking reflexes, coordination, and gait. This is not an in-depth neurological assessment but is sufficient to identify obvious conditions. If you have a physical disability or mobility limitation, the physician documents it but it does not automatically affect the health requirement outcome — the assessment is about healthcare cost and public health risk, not physical ability.

Vision Test

The vision test uses a standard Snellen chart to assess your visual acuity in each eye separately and then both eyes together. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them — you will be tested both with and without correction. The physician records your corrected and uncorrected visual acuity.

Poor uncorrected vision is not a barrier to meeting the health requirement as long as it is correctable. If you have a condition such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected, the physician documents it for the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth to assess. In most cases, visual conditions that are being managed or monitored do not prevent visa grant. The assessment focuses on whether the condition imposes a significant cost on the healthcare system, and routine ophthalmological care typically falls well below the cost threshold.

Chest X-ray

The chest X-ray is one of the most important components of the immigration medical because it screens for tuberculosis, which remains a significant public health concern globally. The X-ray is required for all applicants aged 11 years and older. It is typically conducted at the same clinic as the physical examination, though some clinics refer you to a nearby radiology centre.

The X-ray is a standard posterior-anterior (PA) view taken while you stand against the X-ray plate with your chest pressed forward and your arms positioned out of the way. You will be asked to remove jewellery, clothing with metal components, and any items that could obscure the image. The radiographer instructs you to take a deep breath and hold it while the exposure is taken. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.

The resulting image shows your lungs, heart silhouette, ribcage, and surrounding structures. The panel physician or a radiologist reviews the image for signs of active or latent tuberculosis, including lung infiltrates, cavitation (holes in lung tissue), pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), hilar lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes in the chest), and calcified granulomas (indicators of previous TB infection). The X-ray can also incidentally identify other conditions such as an enlarged heart, pneumonia, or lung masses, which are documented and reported.

If the X-ray is abnormal, the clinic will arrange further testing before uploading results. This may include sputum samples (collected over three consecutive mornings) to test for active TB bacteria, or a CT scan for a more detailed view of any abnormality. An abnormal X-ray does not mean you have TB — old, healed TB infections often leave visible scarring that is not clinically active. The further testing is to confirm whether any abnormality is active or historical.

Blood Tests

Blood is drawn during the appointment, typically by a nurse or phlebotomist at the clinic. The standard blood panel for immigration medical purposes tests for specific conditions rather than providing a general health screen. For applicants aged 15 and older, the standard tests include HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody and antigen testing, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing, and syphilis serology (RPR or VDRL test). Additional blood tests may be ordered by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth if the physical examination or health declaration raises concerns about specific conditions.

The blood draw is a standard venepuncture from a vein in your arm, typically from the antecubital fossa (inner elbow). It takes approximately 5 minutes and requires one to three vials depending on the tests ordered. Results are processed by the clinic’s pathology lab or a contracted laboratory. You do not receive the results directly — they are uploaded to the eMedical system and reviewed by the MOC.

A positive result on any test does not automatically mean visa refusal. The Department assesses the result against the health requirement criteria. For example, a positive hepatitis B surface antigen result indicating carrier status is assessed based on the expected healthcare costs of monitoring and potential treatment. A positive HIV result is assessed based on treatment costs (antiretroviral therapy), monitoring requirements, and public health considerations. In both cases, the applicant is given the opportunity to provide further information and specialist reports before a decision is made.

Mental Health Assessment

The mental health component of the immigration medical is primarily a screening assessment conducted through the medical history review and the physical examination observation. The panel physician asks about any history of mental health conditions, psychiatric treatment, hospitalisation for mental health reasons, and current use of psychiatric medication. The physician also observes your demeanour, communication, and behaviour during the appointment for signs of significant mental health concerns.

This is not a formal psychiatric evaluation. If you are currently taking medication for anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, disclose it honestly. Well-managed mental health conditions treated with standard medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or anxiolytics are generally not barriers to meeting the health requirement. The cost of ongoing psychiatric medication and GP monitoring typically falls well below the significant cost threshold of approximately $51,000 AUD over 10 years.

If the panel physician identifies concerns — for example, if you report a history of psychotic episodes, psychiatric hospitalisation, or conditions requiring specialist ongoing care — a referral for specialist psychiatric assessment may be made. The specialist report is then uploaded to the eMedical system for the MOC to review. Severe mental health conditions requiring ongoing specialist intervention, supported accommodation, or frequent hospitalisation may be assessed as exceeding the cost threshold.

TB Screening in Detail

Tuberculosis screening is the most scrutinised aspect of the immigration medical because of Australia’s status as a low-TB-incidence country. The screening pathway depends on your chest X-ray result and your country of origin. Applicants from high-TB-incidence countries (as defined by the WHO) may receive additional scrutiny even if their X-ray appears normal.

If your chest X-ray is clear and you have no history of TB, the screening is complete and no further action is required. If the X-ray shows abnormalities suggestive of current or previous TB, the following pathway applies: sputum samples are collected on three consecutive mornings, cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and tested using rapid molecular methods (such as GeneXpert). If sputum cultures are negative, the abnormality is likely an old, healed infection and a Health Undertaking may be issued requiring follow-up monitoring after arrival in Australia.

If sputum cultures are positive for active TB, the visa application cannot proceed until the TB is treated and the applicant is no longer infectious. Treatment for active TB typically takes 6 to 9 months with directly observed therapy (DOT). After treatment completion, new sputum cultures and a follow-up X-ray are required before the medical examination can be re-uploaded. Applicants from countries including India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and Nepal are statistically more likely to require TB follow-up, though each case is assessed individually.

HIV Testing

The HIV test is a mandatory component for permanent visa applicants aged 15 and older. The test uses fourth-generation technology (combined antigen/antibody test) which detects both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and the p24 antigen, providing accurate results from approximately two weeks after potential exposure.

A positive HIV result is assessed under the health requirement framework. The Department considers the cost of antiretroviral therapy (ART), regular monitoring (viral load tests, CD4 counts, specialist consultations), and the potential public health risk. Current ART costs in Australia are significant — approximately $15,000-25,000 AUD per year — which means the 10-year cost threshold of approximately $51,000 AUD is generally exceeded. This makes HIV a condition where a health waiver is typically required for visa grant.

However, health waivers for HIV have been granted in cases where the applicant demonstrates compelling circumstances, has access to private health insurance that covers treatment, or can demonstrate other mitigating factors. The assessment is holistic and considers the applicant’s individual circumstances. If you receive a positive result, engaging a registered migration agent with experience in health waiver applications is strongly recommended.

Pregnancy Considerations

If you are pregnant at the time of your medical examination, inform both the panel physician and the radiographer before any procedures. Pregnancy does not disqualify you from the medical examination or negatively affect your visa application. However, the chest X-ray component requires modification.

In the first trimester, the chest X-ray may be deferred until the second or third trimester when abdominal shielding can be used with greater confidence. Some clinics and physicians prefer to defer the X-ray until after delivery to eliminate any radiation exposure to the foetus entirely. In either case, an alternative TB screening method — typically an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test, such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold — may be conducted instead. The IGRA test is a blood test that detects immune responses to TB bacteria without any radiation exposure.

The panel physician documents the pregnancy and any deferred tests in the eMedical system. The Department of Home Affairs expects deferred tests to be completed within a reasonable timeframe after delivery. Your visa processing may continue in the meantime based on the available results, but the visa cannot be granted until all required examinations are completed and cleared. If you are planning to become pregnant, consider completing the medical examination before conception to avoid complications with timing.

What Conditions Are Assessed

The health assessment evaluates three broad categories: public health risk, healthcare cost burden, and prejudice to access. Each category has specific conditions and thresholds that the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth reviews.

Public health risk covers communicable diseases that could threaten the Australian community. Active pulmonary tuberculosis is the primary concern in this category. The chest X-ray is specifically designed to screen for TB. If the X-ray shows any abnormality, you will be referred for sputum testing and possibly a CT scan. Other communicable diseases assessed include hepatitis B and C (through blood tests) and HIV.

Healthcare cost burden is assessed against the “significant cost threshold,” which is currently approximately $51,000 AUD calculated over 10 years (or the expected period of stay). Conditions that may trigger this assessment include those requiring ongoing medication, specialist monitoring, surgical intervention, or chronic care management. Examples include renal dialysis, organ transplant requirements, cancer treatment, and severe mental health conditions requiring hospitalisation.

Prejudice to access applies to conditions that would prevent an Australian citizen or permanent resident from accessing healthcare services if the applicant’s condition required priority treatment. This is a less commonly applied criterion but remains part of the assessment framework.

Health Waiver Process

If the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth determines that a health condition does not meet the health requirement, you may be eligible to request a health waiver. The waiver is not automatic — you must make a case that granting the visa despite the health condition is justified. The waiver assessment considers the severity of the condition, the likely cost to the Australian healthcare system, the availability of treatment, and any compassionate or compelling circumstances.

To request a health waiver, you respond to the notice issued by the Department through ImmiAccount. The response should include specialist medical reports, treatment plans, evidence of health insurance arrangements, and a personal statement explaining your circumstances. Some visa subclasses allow health waivers more readily than others. Skilled migration visas (such as the subclass 189 visa and subclass 190 visa) do allow health waivers, though success depends entirely on the individual case.

The health waiver process can add 3 to 6 months to your visa processing time. If the waiver is refused, the visa application may be refused on health grounds. You can appeal a health-related refusal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), though this further extends the timeline and involves additional costs.

Cost of Health Examinations

Health examination costs vary by country and clinic. In Australia, BVMS pricing is standardised, but outside Australia, panel physician fees are set by the individual clinic. The table below provides indicative costs for common locations.

These costs are out-of-pocket expenses and are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. They are also not refundable if the visa application is refused or withdrawn. For a full breakdown of all PR-related expenses, see Australia PR costs.

Validity and Timing

Health examination results are valid for 12 months from the date of the examination. This 12-month window is strict — if your visa is not granted within this period, the Department will request a new health examination at your expense.

The optimal timing for your health examination depends on your application pathway. For how to get PR in Australia through the points-tested stream, most applicants complete the medical after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA), as the ITA gives you 60 days to lodge. Completing the medical within the first two weeks of receiving your ITA means results are already uploaded by the time you lodge, which can significantly speed up processing.

Alternatively, you can complete an upfront health examination before receiving an invitation. This is useful if you are confident an invitation is imminent (for example, if your points score is well above the current round cutoff). However, if the invitation is delayed beyond 12 months, the medical expires and you must redo it.

For employer-sponsored visa applicants, the medical is typically completed after the nomination is approved and the visa application is lodged. Your case officer will request the examination through ImmiAccount if it was not completed upfront.

After the Examination: Results and Next Steps

After your appointment, the panel physician uploads all results to the eMedical system within 2 to 5 business days. You can check the status of your health assessment in ImmiAccount under the “Health” tab. The status will show one of several indicators: “health clearance provided” (examination passed), “further health information required” (additional tests or information needed), or “health assessment in progress” (results being reviewed by the MOC).

If further information is requested, respond promptly through ImmiAccount. Delays in providing additional information can extend your visa processing time. The request will specify exactly what is needed — typically a specialist report, additional blood tests, or a follow-up X-ray. Arrange these promptly and have the results uploaded by the relevant provider.

Once health clearance is provided, this component of your visa application is complete. The health clearance remains valid for 12 months from the date of the original examination. If your visa is granted within this period, no further health action is required. If the visa is not granted within 12 months, a new examination may be requested.

What Happens If You Fail the Health Check

A health examination “failure” is not necessarily a visa refusal. The process works in stages. First, the panel physician conducts the examination and uploads the results. The results are reviewed by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC), who makes a recommendation. If the MOC identifies a concern, the Department issues a Health Undertaking or a request for further information — not an immediate refusal.

A Health Undertaking is a commitment to undertake specific health-related actions after arriving in Australia, such as attending a TB follow-up appointment or registering with a state health authority for monitoring. Health Undertakings are common and do not prevent visa grant. They are typically issued for conditions like latent TB (inactive TB detected on X-ray), hepatitis B carrier status, or managed chronic conditions.

If the condition is more serious and the MOC recommends that the health requirement is not met, you are given the opportunity to respond before a final decision is made. This is where the health waiver process applies. You should engage a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer at this stage, as the response requires detailed medical evidence and legal argument.

Children’s Health Checks

All children included in a PR application must undergo health examinations, regardless of age. The examination requirements differ by age group. Children under 11 generally require only a physical examination by the panel physician. The doctor checks for developmental concerns, communicable diseases, and any conditions that may require ongoing treatment. Blood tests and chest X-rays are not routinely required for this age group unless the MOC specifically requests them.

Children aged 11 to 14 require a physical examination plus a chest X-ray. The X-ray screens for tuberculosis, which is the primary concern for this age group. Children 15 and older undergo the full adult examination including blood tests and HIV screening. The panel physician conducts the examination in the presence of a parent or guardian, and the results are uploaded to ImmiAccount under the child’s individual HAP ID.

If a child has a pre-existing medical condition such as asthma, a developmental disability, or a congenital condition, it is advisable to have a specialist report available that outlines the condition, current treatment, and prognosis. This can pre-empt requests for further information from the MOC and avoid delays. For your full document preparation, see the complete PR application checklist.

Preparing for Your Health Examination Appointment

Preparation for the health examination is straightforward, but missing items can result in a wasted appointment. Bring your passport (original, not a copy), your HAP ID referral letter printed from ImmiAccount, passport-sized photographs (check with your clinic how many are needed — usually two to four), any prescription glasses or contact lenses (a vision test is included), and a list of current medications you are taking including dosages.

If you have a pre-existing condition, bring relevant medical records, specialist letters, and a current medication list. This allows the panel physician to accurately document your condition and reduces the likelihood of the MOC requesting further information. Conditions such as well-managed hypertension, controlled asthma, corrected vision, and stable mental health conditions on medication are generally not barriers to meeting the health requirement, but they must be accurately documented.

Fasting is not typically required for the blood tests conducted during immigration health examinations, but check with your specific clinic when booking. Pregnant applicants should inform the clinic at the time of booking — a chest X-ray may be deferred or conducted with appropriate shielding depending on the stage of pregnancy. See the pregnancy considerations section above for full details on how the examination is modified.

Also ensure you have completed any other character-related requirements, such as the police clearance for Australia PR, as these are processed in parallel with health checks and both must be satisfied before a visa can be granted.

Your health examination is one part of the overall process of how to get PR in Australia. It runs in parallel with other requirements such as the subclass 189 visa points test, skills assessment, the subclass 190 visa state nomination, and the subclass 491 visa regional pathway. Completing it early and without complications keeps your application timeline on track. For your full document preparation, see the complete PR application checklist. The cost of the medical forms part of the broader Australia PR costs you should budget for.