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What can you expect in your Australian visa health examinations? (Updated: 4 November 2024)

By 4 November, 2024November 7th, 202427 Comments7 min read

Australian visa health examinations

As part of your Australian visa application, you may be requested to undertake health examinations to ensure visa applicants meet minimum health standards in order to: 

  • protect the local community from public health threats; 
  • estimate the cost the applicant will bear to the healthcare system; and
  • assess the impact it may have on services in short supply. 

The type of health examinations required by an applicant will depend on specific factors such as:

  • the length of the visa being applied for; 
  • the country in which the applicant is applying;
  • other significant circumstances; and
  • pre-declared medical conditions.

Who needs medical examinations?

You can read more about who needs health examinations (and what kind) in our previous blog post here.

If you do require a health examination, the process is detailed below.

What are the types of tests in an examination?

The specific tests you will require depend on your personal circumstances, as detailed in the above blog post. The types of tests performed at a visa medical health examination are set out in the tabs below:

A radiology technician and assistant will perform the chest x-ray. The x-ray will be the first out of all the tests as you are required to remove your clothes from the waist up, however, you will be given a scrub-style shirt for privacy
Generally, the medical examination will contain eyesight and ear tests, weight and height readings and reflex checks. The doctor will also check your heart rate and feel for lumps in your stomach, throat and underarms. You will also be required to give a urine sample.
The HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B and C tests are performed by a doctor or nurse by doing a regular blood test.
The test performed for a TB screening is an Interferon-Gamma Release Array test. This type of blood test is specialised in detecting whether a person has been exposed to tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. To the patient, this will be like undertaking a regular blood test.
The panel physician will perform a serum creatinine blood test and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculation for any visa applicant 15 years and older. The purpose of this test is to measure kidney function.

How do you book an examination?

Firstly, in most cases, you can only book an examination after you have lodged your visa application (and subsequently received the HAP ID). 

Secondly, the process of booking will depend on your location.

In Australia

Onshore appointments must be booked via the Bupa Visa Medical website here. Health examinations can not be completed with other health providers. 

Outside of Australia

Applicants who are offshore must book their appointment with an approved panel physician. These are doctors and radiologists who have been approved by the Department to perform Australian immigration health examinations. To locate your closest panel physician, check the list of panel physicians on the Department’s website here. On the website you will need to:

  1. select your country;
  2. scroll down to the tab listed “panel physician” and click on “details”;
  3. contact the panel physician you prefer.

What are the costs for the medical examinations?

The cost of medical examinations will depend on your location in line with local rates.

In Australia

In Australia, you can expect to pay the following rates::

Item code
Service
Cost
501 Medical Examination only $261.40
501 + 502 Medical Examination and Chest X-ray $362.20
502 Chest X-ray only $135.10
712 Syphilis (Pathology as part of medical exam) $46.20
708 Hepatitis B (Pathology as part of medical exam) $65.10
716 Hepatitis C (Pathology as part of medical exam) $65.10
707 HIV (Pathology as part of medical exam) $56.30
719 TB Screening Test Interferon-Gamma Release Array (IGRA) $103.30
502 + 510 Paediatric Chest X-ray – 2 x Chest X-rays comprised of Posterior Anterior (PA) and Lateral view $140.40
509  Chest X-ray Lordotic view * $135.10
707 HIV Pathology (not part of a medical exam) $91.40
708 Hepatitis B Pathology (not part of a medical exam) $100.10
716 Hepatitis C Pathology (not part of a medical exam) $100.10
712 Syphilis Pathology (not part of a medical exam) $81.30
715 Liver Function Tests (LFTs) (supplementary testing) $34.20
705 Serum Creatinine and eGFR $18.80
720 Hepatitis C RNA (HEP C RNA) $182.50
954 Hepatitis B DNA testing (supplementary testing) $243.10

*This is a repeat x-ray where a different view is required by the radiologist

Unfortunately, visa medical appointments are not eligible for private health rebates. You can find more information on the Bupa Medical Visa Services website here.

Outside of Australia

Each overseas clinic will have its own individual pricing, therefore patients will need to contact the specific clinic they would like to book into to receive a quote. A few examples of the most popular offshore location pricing are as follows (noting that pricing may vary depending on the tests required):

New Zealand

CityMed located in Auckland offer visa medical appointments between $235NZD to $300NZD depending on your age, with additional fees for x-rays ($105) and other pathology/laboratory testing (pricing will vary).  

India

Lilavati Hospital located in Mumbai offers visa medicals starting at RS ₹3600INR to ₹5250INR depending on the age of the patient and the type of tests required.  

China

Hong Kong International Medical Clinic Beijing offers visa medical appointments starting from ¥950RMB to ¥1050RMB depending on the patient’s age and the type of tests required.  

United Kingdom

Knightsbridge Doctors offer visa medical appointments from between £80GBP and £380GBP depending on the patient’s age and types of tests and incur additional costs for extra tests if required. 

What do you need to bring to your appointment?

When attending your visa medical appointment, make sure to take:

  • a current passport, or if expired, the expiration date is no more than 2 years prior to the appointment date (other identification is not accepted);
  • your eMedical referral letter to show the examinations required, and to confirm your HAP ID;
  • prescription contacts or lenses (if applicable); and
  • any specialist reports (if applicable).

What should you expect at the appointment?

On the day of your appointment, it is good practice to arrive 15 minutes early to allow the staff to check your details and identity documents. They will cross-check the answers provided on your eMedical referral letter and take a passport-style photo for the physicians to identify you. You will then be requested to put your eMedical referral letter, photo, passport and medical reports into a folder, which must be kept on you at all times.

Once the registration process is complete, you will be transferred to the secure waiting room. Any people who are not undertaking medical examinations will be unable to go past this point unless they have prior authorisation, for example, a parent or carer. 

In the secured waiting room, you will then be given a scrub-style shirt and a key to an assigned locker where you can safely store all of your belongings. You will also be asked to enter a changing room and undress from the waist upwards. 

Once complete, you will then be called to each room to undertake each examination.

What should you expect after your appointment?

Upon completion of all of the examinations, you will be asked to return the folder with all of your details to the medical staff, who will confirm that what is required has been completed. 

The results from your health examinations will be transmitted electronically to the Department within 5 business days of completion. The results of the examinations are for the Department’s use only and will not be accessible to anyone else, including yourself. 

You can check the status of your health examinations online via the ImmiAccount used to lodge your application.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about health examinations for you or your family members, feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or phone +61 3 9016 0484.

Lucie Coleman

Author Lucie Coleman

Lucie is an experienced administrative assistant with over 2 years of experience in customer relationship management and 5 years in various customer service roles. She’s enthusiastic about law and justice, the fight for equality and building positive interpersonal relationships.

More posts by Lucie Coleman

Join the discussion 27 Comments

  • Abdallah says:

    What are the approved clinics for medical examination to travel to Australia in the State of Qatar?

    • admin says:

      Hi Abdallah,
      Gulf Laboratory and X-Ray, Medical and Radiology examinations​​, Street address: 64, Alkinana Street Al Nasr ​
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Natasha says:

    What kind of blood tests are done for HIV? Draw blood or pin prick on finger? Absolutely terrified of blood tests

    • admin says:

      Hi Natasha,
      Unfortunately they are likely to withdraw blood via needle (though you might contact the clinic before to confirm).
      Whatever the case, it’ll all be worth it for permanent residence!
      Hannan Tew

  • Anuj says:

    What all tests will be done for a 4 year old kid.

  • Pape says:

    Colour blind test included or not. if the Australian Visa is rejected if a person is detected as Colour Blind ???

    • admin says:

      Hi Pape,
      Being colour blind is unlikely to fail the health test (significant cost or prejudice to access) but feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have specific concerns.
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Harry says:

    What time frame is given to undertake the medical examination for a 417 visa application? And how who would I contact to arrange an extension if I’ve missed the given window. (Some people say it’s 28 days. I applied on 6th Dec 22 and have been travelling so not yet managed to get to an approved physician).
    Many thanks in advance.

    • admin says:

      Hi Harry,
      If you are requested to provide medicals, you are generally required to undertake them within 28 days.
      If you are unable to attend within that time frame, you should upload the reason for your delay in a cover letter (with any supporting evidence) into your ImmiAccoutn within that timeframe, and request further time.
      Good luck,
      Hannan Tew

  • ALAIN BERTIN ABAYO says:

    What are the approved physicians for australin medical exams in Poland ( I am a student Applying for Visitor Visa and I am living in Poznan City ) . I some one has information he or she can help me : Thamks , WHATUP and Calls :+48721872768 Or Email: [email protected]

    • admin says:

      Hi Alain,
      There are two panel doctors in Poland: (a) Global Health Panel Physician Clinic in Krakow (+48 50 659 0693) or (b) Poradnia lekarsk ‘Sylfium’ in Warsaw (
      +48 22 632 1524​).
      All the best,
      Hannan Tew

  • Afridi Shaik says:

    Do we have to undress underwear. Are they gonna check private parts or around private parts like groin etc?

    • admin says:

      Hi Afridi,
      Generally not, unless it is required for a diclosable assessment. If you are sensitive about this, you may wish to contact the relevant clinic to confirm.
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Kay says:

    Can an onshore applicant take their medical exam overseas? My 28 days will lapse while I am travelling, and no slot available currently for the clinic in my city.
    Thanks

    • admin says:

      Hi Kay,
      You can undertake a medical examination offshore (you just need to book with the relevant clinic).
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Dan says:

    I had shoulder surgery in October 2022 and have my Medical is 3 weeks time. I’m all good and back to work now. Should I be worried or will I need to take any documents in for this? Do I need to mention it at all?

    The only way they’d know is by the little scars.

    Also I have thalassemia trait so clicked no to having a blood disorder even though it says includ thalassemia but the trait just means I’m a carrier and don’t have the blood disorder. Is that OK?

    • admin says:

      Hi Dan,
      Short term physical injuries are unlikely to impact your overall health assessment.
      Re your blood disorder disclosure – you can also speak to your medical assessor on the date of your appointment to clarify.
      Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you’d like to discuss further.
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Meet says:

    Hi can you please tell that how much hepatitis C detect in blood like mine partner was hepatitis C positive before but now He is taking medicines for cure.

  • Steve Tram says:

    Hi , would lazy eye on one of the eyes afftect my medical test for permanent residency?

    • admin says:

      Hi Steven,
      Generally not as regular treatment is unlikely to have a significant cost or prejudice access to Australians, but this would depend on the specific condition. \
      Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you’d like further assistance.
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

  • Sam says:

    I’m infected with polio slightly on my leg and no major impact on my health. Should I need to be worried for my examination ?

  • Taz says:

    Hi my emedical says 950 other required after completing my health exams. I am onshore, any idea what does that mean?

    • admin says:

      Hi Taz,
      We’ll need to look into this more to determine what’s required, so feel free to email us at [email protected] if you’d like to discuss.
      Kind regards,
      Hannan Tew

    • Zeeshan says:

      hey Taz i have got the same in my medical exam would you please tell me what did they asked you or its all good? i did mine on 18 September..

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