Health and Character Requirements for Australian Visas

📋 Key Takeaways

All visa applicants must meet Health & Character requirements:

Health checks with an approved panel doctor.

Police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months since age 16.

Applies to the main applicant, partner, and dependants (even if not migrating).

Refusal risk if documents are incomplete, expired, or false.

What Are Health & Character Requirements?

Health and character checks are a critical part of the Australian visa application process. You will need to pass a medical examination, which is conducted by an approved physician, and provide police clearance certificates from every country you’ve lived in for more than 12 months since the age of 16. These checks are necessary to ensure that applicants pose no risk to public health or safety.

Who Needs to Meet These Requirements?

Health and character checks apply to:

Why It Matters

Your visa cannot be granted unless you meet Australia’s strict health and character requirements. These checks ensure:

Student visa applicants (subclass 500) and their dependants

Graduate visa applicants (485)

Skilled visas (189, 190, 491)

Employer-Sponsored visas (482, 494, 186)

Partner and Family visas

Visitor visas if you intend an extended stay

Children, even babies, may require health checks

All applicants aged 16+ must provide police certificates

Applicants who have lived in multiple countries may need several police clearances

You are not likely to become a significant cost to Australia’s health system

You do not pose a danger to the community

You meet Australia’s integrity and identity standards

You are eligible for work rights, study rights, Medicare (where relevant), and future PR pathways

Common refusal reasons include failing medicals, incomplete police checks, undisclosed criminal history, and inconsistent information.

Required Documents

Health Requirements

You may be asked to complete:

Medical exam through Bupa Medical Visa Services

Chest X-ray (usually required for applicants 11+, depending on nationality)

Additional tests, if required by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth

HIV test (for some visa subclasses

You will receive an HAP ID and complete exams at an approved Bupa clinic.

Common Situations for Students & Temporary Visa Holders

Students who have lived in more than one country must provide multiple police clearances.

Students applying for a new visa after a course change may be required to redo medicals if their last exam expired.

Partners or dependants joining a student visa holder must meet the same character and health rules.

Graduate visa (485) applicants almost always require both health and character checks.

Risks & Common Mistakes

Submitting police checks with incorrect codes (common for AFP certificates)

Forgetting countries lived in for more than 12 months

Providing expired police checks

Not completing Bupa medicals on time

Inconsistent personal details across documents

Failing to disclose past charges or convictions

Submitting incomplete or misleading information → PIC 4020 risk

❓ FAQ's

How long is the health check valid for?

The health check is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and must be valid at the time of your visa lodgement.

Do I need a police clearance for every country I've lived in?

Yes, if you’ve lived in a country for 12+ months since turning 16, you need to provide a police certificate.

Can I use an old health check for a new visa?

Yes, as long as it’s within the 12-month validity period.

What if I can’t get a police clearance from a country?

You will need to provide evidence of your attempt to obtain the clearance, along with a cover letter explaining the situation.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.