A medical condition does not always mean you cannot obtain an Australian visa.

Australia has health requirements that most visa applicants must meet. These requirements are designed to protect public health, manage potential costs to Australia’s health and community services, and ensure Australian citizens and permanent residents can access services that are in short supply.

Most Australian visa subclasses include a requirement to meet certain health requirements. The level of health checking required differs between visa types, from simple declarations of health to formal testing and x-rays.

This is where Public Interest Criterion 4007, commonly referred to as PIC 4007, can become important.

What is PIC 4007?

PIC 4007 is one of the public interest criteria contained in Australia’s Migration Regulations.

Under PIC 4007, applicants must meet certain health requirements, including being free from tuberculosis and other public health risks, and medical conditions that may create significant health care or community service costs, or prejudice access to services.

However, unlike the standard health criterion, PIC 4007 contains a provision allowing the Minister to waive the relevant health requirements in certain circumstances.

This means that, for an eligible visa that has PIC 4007 attached, failing part of the health requirement does not necessarily mean the visa application must be refused.

The waiver process is discretionary and assessed on the individual circumstances of the case.

What is a health waiver?

A ‘health waiver’ is a process through which an applicant who does not meet certain health requirements can still be granted a visa.

It is important to understand that a health waiver is not an automatic exemption from Australia’s health requirements. Rather, it is the ability for Immigration to consider other elements of the applicant’s background to determine if the visa should still be granted.

First, the applicant must meet all of the other criteria for the visa. The Department of Home Affairs must then be satisfied that granting the visa is unlikely to result in a significant cost to the Australian community or prejudice the access of Australian citizens or permanent residents to health care or community services that are in short supply.

A health waiver also cannot be exercised where the health concern relates to active tuberculosis or where the condition may pose a danger to the Australian community or a threat to public health.

Which Australian visas offer a health waiver?

A health waiver is only available for certain visa subclasses and streams. It is therefore important to check the specific visa being applied for rather than assuming that a waiver will be available.

Current legislation includes PIC 4007 in a number of visa pathways. Examples include:

The legislation can also apply PIC 4007 to family members and secondary applicants in particular circumstances.

This is an area where professional advice is particularly important. The availability of a health waiver can depend on the exact visa subclass, stream, and circumstances of the applicant.

What does Immigration consider when assessing a health waiver?

One of the most important things to understand is that the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) and the visa decision-maker have different roles.

The MOC assesses the medical information and provides advice about the applicant’s health condition based on an average Australian with the same condition. They also advise on whether the condition is likely to result in significant health care or community service costs, or place demand on services in short supply.

For a health waiver, a visa processing officer then considers whether the waiver should be exercised.

The Department says health waiver decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Factors include whether the applicant or their family members can mitigate the advised cost of the condition, if some advised costs do not relate specifically to the applicant, ineligibility for Australian health or community services, long-term prognosis for the individual, employability, community ties, and any other compassionate and compelling circumstances supporting the waiver.

A strong health waiver submission needs to address the specific circumstances of the applicant rather than simply stating that the applicant will not rely on Medicare, or has private health insurance, financial resources or family support.

What is the Significant Cost Threshold?

A key part of Australia’s health requirement is whether a medical condition is likely to create a significant cost to the Australian community.

As of 2026, the Significant Cost Threshold (SCT) is $86,000.

For provisional and permanent visa applicants, estimated health and community service costs are generally assessed over five years, or three years for applicants aged 75 or older. For permanent or ongoing conditions with a reasonably predictable course, the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth may assess costs over the applicant’s remaining life expectancy, up to a maximum of 10 years.

If the estimated costs exceed the relevant threshold, the applicant may fail the health requirement.

However, if the visa provides for a health waiver, this is where the waiver process may become relevant.

Does Immigration consider private health insurance?

Private health insurance does not automatically mean an applicant will meet the health requirement.

When the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth assesses the medical condition, they consider the medical circumstances and the likely health and community service requirements. The MOC does not take an applicant’s personal circumstances, such as private health insurance or their ability to pay for treatment, into account when providing the medical assessment.

However, the health waiver decision is different.

The Department can consider whether the applicant or family members can lessen the potential cost of the condition and reliance on Australian health and community services when deciding whether to exercise a waiver.

This distinction is important when preparing a health waiver submission.

What happens if I fail the health requirement?

If the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth determines that an applicant does not meet the health requirement and the visa provides for a health waiver, the visa processing officer will contact the applicant.

The applicant does not need to apply for a health waiver before this point. If a waiver is available, the Department will request further information and provide a formal submission process explaining why the waiver should be exercised.

The applicant can then provide information addressing their individual circumstances and why the health waiver should be considered.

What should I include in a health waiver submission?

There is no single argument that guarantees a health waiver.

A submission should instead respond to the issues identified in the health assessment and provide relevant evidence about the applicant’s circumstances.

Depending on the case, this may include information about:

  • The nature and likely progression of the medical condition
  • Expected treatment and health care requirements
  • The potential cost identified by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth
  • How the applicant or their family may reduce reliance on Australian health and community services
  • Available support arrangements
  • Relevant family circumstances
  • Compassionate or compelling circumstances
  • Other evidence that addresses the concerns raised by the Department

The objective is to provide a clear, evidence-based response to the issues Immigration is considering.

Can a health waiver guarantee that my visa will be granted?

No.

A health waiver does not remove the other requirements for the visa. The applicant must still satisfy all other relevant visa criteria.

Even where a health waiver is available, the Department considers each case individually. If the waiver is exercised, the visa application can continue to be processed. If it is not exercised, the visa application may be refused.

What should I do if I have a health condition?

If you have a medical condition that could affect your Australian visa application, it is important to understand the health requirements before assuming that your condition will prevent you from obtaining a visa.

Equally, it is important not to assume that a health waiver will automatically be available or approved.

The first step is to understand which health criteria apply to your visa and whether PIC 4007 or another health waiver provision is relevant. If a waiver is available, the circumstances and evidence supporting the submission need to be considered carefully.

At AVIE, we understand that health-related visa matters can be complex and highly personal. Our registered migration agents can assess your circumstances, explain how the health requirement may apply to your visa pathway and assist with the appropriate immigration process.

If you have concerns about a medical condition and your Australian visa application, getting professional advice early can help you understand your options before making important decisions about your application.