Meeting the health requirement is a key part of the visa process, yet many applicants find this part of the process challenging to navigate. Uncertainty about which tests apply, how travel history affects requirements and what information must be provided can create significant confusion and stress. These difficulties highlight the need for clearer guidance and a more structured approach to medical assessments for visa applicants.
To address these issues, the Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Specification of Required Medical Assessment) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/049), which took effect on 29 November 2025. The instrument does not introduce new policy but updates of the medical assessment rules.
Purpose of the updated medical assessment instrument
The instrument supports Australia’s health requirements for visa applicants by clearly setting out who must undertake medical examinations, which assessments are required for different age groups and visa types and which providers are authorised to complete them. The updated framework links assessments to:
- Country of citizenship
- Countries where an applicant has lived for three or more consecutive months in the past five years
- Visa type and intended length of stay
- Planned activities in Australia, such as clinical or childcare work
This structure enables applicants to understand the reasons behind each requirement and reduces ambiguity in the assessment process.
Key structural updates introduced by the instrument
The instrument updates several parts of the medical assessment framework. Key changes include:
- Updated country lists: the list of countries used to determine medical assessment pathways has been refreshed to reflect current classifications.
- Removal of ceased visas: provisional visa subclasses that no longer exist have been removed to keep the framework aligned with the current visa program.
- Updated hepatitis B risk list: the list of countries considered low hepatitis B risk has been revised, which may affect whether some applicants require hepatitis B testing.
These updates ensure the medical assessment rules remain current and easier to apply across different visa categories.
Who must undergo medical assessments
The instrument groups applicants into three categories based on citizenship and travel history. Once an applicant’s category is identified, the type of medical examinations required depends on their age, the visa they are applying for and the intended length of stay. These are the standard assessments required for most applicants and may include:
- Medical examination
- Chest X-ray
- Serum creatinine/eGFR testing
- HIV testing
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C testing
These assessments ensure applicants meet the health requirements under Public Interest Criteria (PIC) 4005 and 4007.
Additional examinations based on intended activities
Some applicants must complete extra medical checks because their planned activities involve higher public health considerations. Additional assessments apply to individuals who:
- Plan to work, study or train in clinical fields
- Intend to work in health, hospital, aged care or disability care settings
- Are likely to work or train in childcare
- Are pregnant and intending to give birth in Australia
- Are aged 75 or older and applying for a Subclass 600 visa
These requirements ensure applicants entering sensitive settings meet appropriate health standards.
Who is authorised to conduct the medical assessments
The instrument specifies the providers who may conduct visa medical examinations:
- In Australia: Bupa Medical Visa Services
- Outside Australia: Department’s approved panel physicians or clinics
This ensures assessments are performed by practitioners familiar with Australia’s visa health protocols.
What these changes mean for visa applicants
The commencement of the instrument introduces a more structured and transparent approach to visa medical assessments. Applicants can now easily identify which examinations apply and why those assessments are required. The revised schedules also remove outdated visa references and align medical requirements with current global health classifications.
How Absolute Immigration Legal can help you
At Absolute Immigration Legal, we understand that determining which medical examinations apply can be challenging, especially for families, applicants with complex travel histories or those planning to work in clinical or care environments. Our expert legal team provides tailored support to help you understand:
- How your age, travel history and planned activities affect the requirements
- How to interpret the updated schedules in the 2025 instrument
- How to prepare and complete the assessments correctly to avoid delays
If you need help understanding how these medical requirements apply to your situation, the team at Absolute Immigration Legal is ready to assist. Contact us at admin@absoluteimmigrationlegal.com.