Update (October 2026)
This arrangement was announced in October 2022 as a temporary measure, to be reviewed in early 2023. Health requirements can change, so do not assume an exam is waived: check what Home Affairs asks for in your application or HAP ID referral letter. The 482 visa is now the Skills in Demand visa. See “What this means in 2026” below.
Eligible temporary visa applicants in Australia will not be required to undertake medical examinations and chest x-rays in order to meet the health requirement.
This arrangement applies to applicants for the following visa subclasses, and only if you are already in Australia:
- 403 – Temporary Work International Relations
- 407 – Training
- 408 – Temporary Activity
- 417 and 462 – Working Holiday
- 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship
- 476 – Skilled Recognised Graduate
- 482 – Skills in Demand (formerly Temporary Skill Shortage)
- 485 – Temporary Graduate
- 500 – Student
- 590 – Student Guardian
- 600 – Visitor
- 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary)
- 995 – Diplomatic (Temporary)
- 401 – Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity)
- 405 – Investor Retirement
- 410 – Retirement
This is temporary measure and applies to all eligible temporary visa applications currently with the Department and new applications made in Australia. The Government will review these arrangements in early 2023.
If you have already made a health examination appointment with Bupa Medical Visa Services and have not yet attended it, your appointment may be cancelled and refunded. Bupa will contact you via SMS to advise you of this. Do not contact Bupa to cancel your appointment yourself. If you are not advised that your appointment has been cancelled, you should attend if possible.
You are still required to undergo health exams if
Temporary visa applicants in Australia will still be required to undertake relevant medical examinations and/or chest x-rays if they:
- have applied for a medical treatment, temporary protection or a provisional visa
- expect to incur medical costs or require medical treatment
- are intending to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic
- will enter a hospital, aged or disability care facility (if higher tuberculosis risk)
- are pregnant and intending to have the baby in Australia
- will work or train at an Australian childcare centre
- are aged over 75 years (if applying for a visitor visa)
- have had previous household contact with tuberculosis or
- are requested to do so by the Department.
You had health examinations in the last 12 months
You might not need to have all the health examinations again if you had any in the last 12 months. Your referral letter will tell you what examinations you need to take.
Related:
What this means in 2026
Most visa applicants still need to meet the health requirement, and many must complete medical examinations or chest x-rays depending on the visa, their age, their country of residence, their intended activities in Australia and their health history.
Who this affects now
Temporary visa applicants in Australia, such as students, workers, graduates and visitors, and applicants planning to work in healthcare, aged care or childcare, who are more likely to need specific tests.
Next steps
- After you lodge, check ImmiAccount for a health examination request or HAP ID. You can also use My Health Declarations to complete your health checks before you apply.
- Book your examinations with the approved panel provider (in Australia, Bupa Medical Visa Services) only when you are asked to, and take your HAP ID.
- If you had health examinations in the last 12 months, you may not need to repeat all of them. Your referral letter will tell you.
- If you have a significant medical condition, read our health requirement and health waiver guides and get advice before you apply.
Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026
What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You
Australia Stops New International Student Enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)