Health Requirements for Australian Student Visa: Medical Exam, Tests, Panel Physicians

All international students applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) must meet health requirements. Depending on your country of origin and personal circumstances, you may need to undergo medical examinations including a chest X-ray and HIV test. This guide explains the health requirements and the medical examination process.

Who must undergo health examination?

Mandatory health examination

Home Affairs may require health examination for:

• All applicants from certain countries (depending on risk assessment for communicable diseases).
• All applicants with extended periods of residence in certain countries (12+ months in a high-risk country).
• All applicants if Home Affairs suspects a health risk.

Country-specific requirements

High-risk countries (mandatory health exam):

• Countries with high tuberculosis prevalence: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (certain provinces), East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and others.

Lower-risk countries (exam at Home Affairs discretion):

• Most developed nations (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, UK, USA, etc.).

Home Affairs will notify you if a health examination is required.

Check your status: When you lodge your student visa application, Home Affairs will indicate whether a health examination is required. This is usually specified in your ImmiAccount application.

What is included in the health examination?

Standard health examination for students

Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening)

• A chest X-ray to detect signs of tuberculosis (TB) or other respiratory disease.
• Performed by a Home Affairs-approved panel physician.
• Cost: AUD $100–$200 (varies by location and physician).
• Results: Reported to Home Affairs within 1–2 weeks.

HIV test

• Blood test to detect HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
• Performed by a panel physician (along with chest X-ray).
• Cost: Included in the general medical examination fee.
• Results: Confidential; reported to Home Affairs.

General medical examination

• Assessment of overall health and fitness to study.
• Review of medical history (form to complete).
• Measurement of height and weight.
• Blood pressure check.
• General physical examination.

Vaccination status (may be required)

• Review of childhood vaccinations (e.g., MMR, polio).
• COVID-19 vaccination status (as applicable).
• No mandatory requirement to be vaccinated; however, if you lack evidence of vaccination, Home Affairs may assess the risk.

Other tests (if indicated)

• Blood tests for other communicable diseases (e.g., hepatitis B, syphilis) if required by Home Affairs or if your results suggest further investigation.

What does NOT included in standard exam

• Mental health assessment (unless Home Affairs suspects a specific concern).
• Dental examination.
• Vision or hearing tests (unless relevant to health concern).
• Detailed blood work (unless indicated by X-ray results).

Panel physicians: Where to get examined

Your medical examination must be performed by a Home Affairs-approved panel physician. Home Affairs maintains a list of accredited panel physicians in each country and major city.

Finding a panel physician

1. Search Home Affairs website: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/panel-physician
2. Select your country and city.
3. List of accredited physicians will appear.
4. Book an appointment directly with the physician.

Cost

• Chest X-ray + HIV test + general exam: AUD $150–$400 total (varies by country and physician).
• Payment: Usually upfront at the time of appointment. Some physicians accept credit card, bank transfer, or cash.
• Reimbursement: You may be able to claim the cost on your tax return (if eligible) or ask your education provider if they can subsidise the cost. However, you are generally responsible for the fee.

Timing

• Appointment: Typically available within 1–2 weeks of booking.
• Exam duration: 20–30 minutes.
• Results to Home Affairs: 5–10 business days after the exam.

What to bring to your appointment

• Valid passport (or national ID).
• Health declaration form (you will receive a link to this from Home Affairs or ImmiAccount; print and complete it before your appointment).
• Medical history (if you have previous medical records or diagnoses, bring them).
• Vaccination records (proof of childhood vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccination).
• Payment method (credit card, cash, or bank transfer).

Health assessment criteria

Home Affairs assesses your health examination results against Australian health standards:

Reasons for health-related refusal

Serious communicable disease:

• Tuberculosis (TB) — active or latent TB that poses a risk to public health may result in refusal.
• HIV — applicants with HIV are generally not automatically refused, but Home Affairs assesses case-by-case (Australia has an anti-discrimination policy, though some concerns may arise).
• Other serious diseases — measles, whooping cough, etc., if infectious or poses risk.

Serious health condition requiring ongoing treatment:

• Chronic diseases requiring expensive ongoing medical treatment in Australia (e.g., advanced cancer, multiple sclerosis requiring ongoing specialised care).
• Mental health conditions (e.g., untreated bipolar disorder, psychosis) that may affect ability to study and pose risk to self or others.
• Substance abuse or addiction requiring ongoing treatment.

Unable to access healthcare in Australia:

• If your health condition is so serious that you require ongoing, expensive medical care that is not readily available in Australia or that would burden the Australian health system.

Latent TB and active TB

Latent TB:

• You have been exposed to TB bacteria but are not sick or infectious.
• Latent TB infection will not automatically result in visa refusal.
• Home Affairs may require you to undergo treatment (usually short-term preventive therapy).
• You must commit to follow-up treatment in Australia.

Active TB:

• You are sick with TB symptoms (cough, fever, weight loss).
• Active TB is serious and may result in visa refusal if you are deemed a risk to public health.
• If you have a history of active TB that has been successfully treated, Home Affairs may grant the visa if you provide evidence of cure (medical clearance).

HIV

• Applicants with HIV are not automatically refused under Australian health criteria.
• However, Home Affairs conducts a detailed assessment considering:
  • Your current health status and CD4 count.
  • Access to antiretroviral treatment in Australia.
  • Evidence of ongoing medical care and treatment adherence.
• In most cases, applicants with well-managed HIV (on antiretroviral therapy, undetectable viral load) are granted visas.
• Undisclosed or untreated HIV may result in refusal.

What if your medical examination shows a health concern?

If TB or other disease is detected

1. Home Affairs will be notified automatically by the panel physician.
2. You will be notified via ImmiAccount about further steps.
3. Depending on the condition:
   • If latent TB: Home Affairs may require you to undergo preventive treatment and provide medical clearance before visa grant.
   • If active TB: Home Affairs may request further medical investigation or may refuse on health grounds.

If you have a pre-existing health condition

Disclose your pre-existing condition before or during your medical examination:

1. Complete your health declaration form honestly, listing any prior diagnoses, surgeries, medications, etc.
2. Inform the panel physician of your condition verbally.
3. Provide medical records or specialist letters if you have them.
4. Ask the physician for medical clearance — a letter from the physician confirming that your condition is managed and does not pose a risk to public health or significantly impair your ability to study.

Honesty is critical. If you omit or misrepresent a health condition and Home Affairs discovers it later, your visa can be cancelled, and you may face bans on future applications.

Medical examination and visa timeline

Total time: 6–12 weeks from visa lodgement to final decision (health assessment is one component; other assessments like GS, financial capacity run in parallel).

Special cases

Pregnancy during medical examination

If you are pregnant:

1. Inform the panel physician before the examination.
2. X-ray may be deferred: Chest X-rays are usually postponed until after pregnancy (especially first trimester).
3. HIV test and other assessments can proceed normally.
4. Visa decision: Home Affairs may issue a provisional visa subject to completion of the chest X-ray post-pregnancy.

Age considerations

• Applicants under 18: Some health requirements may be different. Check with Home Affairs.
• Applicants over 50: Home Affairs may require additional health assessment (though this is rare for student visas).

Health insurance (OSHC) and health examination

Important note: Health insurance (OSHC) is separate from health examination.

• Health examination: Required by Home Affairs to assess whether you meet health standards for entry.
• OSHC: Mandatory insurance you must purchase and maintain for the duration of your visa.

You must purchase OSHC regardless of the results of your health examination. See au-oshc-overseas-student-health-cover.md for details.

FAQ

Q: If I have a positive HIV test, will my visa definitely be refused? A: No. Applicants with HIV are assessed on a case-by-case basis. If your HIV is well-managed (on treatment, undetectable viral load) and you have access to antiretroviral therapy in Australia, your visa may be granted.

Q: What if I fail to attend my medical examination? A: If Home Affairs requires a health examination and you fail to attend, Home Affairs may assume a health risk and refuse your visa. Always prioritise attending your scheduled examination.

Q: Can I get a private medical examination instead of using a panel physician? A: No. Home Affairs only accepts examinations performed by Home Affairs-approved panel physicians. Private examinations are not accepted.

Q: If my health exam was done more than 12 months ago, is it still valid? A: Health examinations are generally valid for 12 months from the date of the examination. If more than 12 months have passed, Home Affairs may require a new examination.

Q: Can I appeal if my visa is refused on health grounds? A: Yes. You can request an ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) review within 28 days of refusal. See au-aat-visa-appeal.md. If you have obtained a new medical assessment or treatment evidence since the original examination, you can submit this in your appeal.

Q: What if the panel physician misses a health issue during my examination? A: The panel physician is responsible for conducting a thorough examination. However, if an issue is missed and discovered later by Home Affairs (e.g., during a follow-up check), Home Affairs may take action (refusal, visa cancellation). Always disclose known health issues to the physician.

Q: Do I need to disclose mental health history? A: Yes, you should disclose any significant mental health history (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis). However, having a mental health condition does not automatically result in refusal. It depends on severity, treatment, and current status.

Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine required for student visa? A: COVID-19 vaccination is not a mandatory requirement for student visa entry (as of 2026). However, vaccination status may be assessed as part of your health examination if you are from a high-risk country for COVID-19.

Sources

• Panel physicians: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/panel-physician
• Health requirements: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/health-requirements
• Student visa (Subclass 500): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-visa-500
• Tuberculosis and visa: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/tuberculosis

Last reviewed: April 2026. Visa rules and charges change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.