All applicants for permanent visas, or for a temporary visa (for example, a provisional spouse visa) that leads to the grant of a permanent visa, are required to undergo health examinations.

You and all dependent family members must meet strict health standards designed to protect Australia from high health risks and costs. All members of your immediate family, including dependent family members who do not intend to migrate, must meet the health requirement.

If an applicant cannot meet the health requirement, the visa application must be refused under the Migration Regulations, and refusal of one family member will mean the whole family unit will not be able to proceed.

There are strictly limited provisions for overriding a failure to meet the health criterion.

If you are applying outside Australia, please do not complete health examinations before lodging your visa application. You will be informed by staff processing your migration application when to arrange your medical examination.

Processing of the entire application can be a lengthy process, and health clearances undertaken too early may expire before other matters are prepared.

Costs will be your responsibility, unless you are a UNHCR recognised refugee (accepted subclass 200 applicant).

If you are applying in Australia, you may complete health examinations before lodging your visa application, but be aware that clearances have limited validity.

See:

Form 1071i, Health requirement for permanent visas (PDF file)