I am applying for a new visa application. I completed medicals for my last visa application. Can I use these again?
In some circumstances, you can use previous medicals to demonstrate that you meet the health requirement for a new visa application. This process is known as
“re-use”.
Circumstances in which you can re-use medicals from 9 November 2009 onwards are summarized in the table on the reverse of this sheet. However, your case officer can still ask you to complete new medicals if they consider it appropriate.
What has changed for 9 November 2009?
From 9 November 2009, if you are applying for a permanent visa, you will not* be allowed to re-use health examination reports that you obtained for a temporary visa.
Example 1: If you completed a chest x-ray and a medical examination for your student visa application, you will no longer be able to complete an outstanding HIV test (as required for permanent visas) and have your previous health examination reports ‘upgraded’ (a new chest x-ray (form 160), medical examination (form 26) and an HIV test will be required for your permanent visa application).
Example 2: If you completed a chest x-ray for your subclass 457 visa application, you will no longer be able to complete a medical examination and an HIV test (as required for permanent visas) and have your chest x-ray report ’upgraded’ (a new chest x-ray (form 160), medical examination (form 26) and an HIV test will be required for your permanent visa application).
*There are very limited exceptions in which you may still be able to re-use. Your case officer will advise you if these exceptions apply to you, or whether you need to complete new medicals. If you need to complete new medicals, you can get details on fees and further information at:
In Australia: Medibank Health Solutions See: www.medibankhealth.com.au
Outside Australia: Consult you panel doctor for information. Fees should be similar to those charged locally for a comprehensive examination or report by a qualified medical practitioner.
Why the change in arrangements?
These changes are being put in place to ensure that the processing of your permanent visa applications is not delayed unnecessarily.
The re-use process when an applicant is moving from a temporary to a permanent visa is not straightforward because health examination reports must be re-assessed by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC). This is because the MOC must take into account the applicant’s proposed indefinite stay in Australia. This re-assessment process was resulting in processing delays and, in some cases, clients still had to complete new medicals.
These arrangements will be reconsidered once the department has further developed its electronic storage facilities for medicals and can provide an efficient ’upgrade’ process for clients.
Where can I get more information?
More information is available by contacting the department.
Phone: 131 881
Website: www.immi.gov.au/contacts/index.htm
When can I “re-use” my medicals?
Same tests required for new application
If your new visa application requires you to complete the same health tests as your previous visa application did, you may be able to re-use your ’health clearance‘ (where the department has made the decision that you have met the health requirement) for your new visa application. However, to be able to re-use your health clearance you must fall into one of the categories in the table below: Type of Visa Applicant: | Example: | A health clearance can be re-used if: | Exceptions – Re-use will not be allowed if: |
Temporary visa holder - applying for a new temporary visa, and; Stay in Australia NOT extended. | Student visa holder applies for a different type of Student visa for the same stay period. | No additional medical tests are required for the new visa application The original clearance is still valid | Possible deception is discovered by the Department in relation to the client’s previous medicals The applicant’s health has significantly deteriorated since the original health clearance (not including pregnancy) If the applicant has not complied with a health undertaking |
Temporary visa holder - applying for a new temporary visa, and; Stay in Australia extended. | Visitor visa holder applies for a Student visa that will extend their intended stay in Australia. | No additional medical tests are required for the new visa application The original clearance is still valid and was a local clearance*** | |
Temporary visa holder - applying for a permanent visa, and; ‘Permanent medicals’* completed “upfront” for the temporary visa | Subclass 457 visa holder, who completed full permanent medicals for their 457 application, applies for a permanent skilled visa. | The original clearance is still valid The original clearance was cleared to a permanent standard | |
Provisional visa holder - applying for a permanent visa, and; ‘Permanent medicals’** completed “upfront” for the provisional visa | Business skills visa holder, at the “second stage” of processing, applies for their permanent visa. | The applicant originally undertook ‘permanent medicals’# |
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