Foreign nationals submitting Australian visa applications and those with pending applications where medical examinations have not been undertaken will be subject to new medical examination standards on or after November 20, 2015, according to announced changes by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Additionally, the streamlined health examination process for subclass 457 visa applicants will be eliminated on that date. Applicants will likely face longer visa processing times when the new requirements are implemented.
Australia: Changes to health requirements for all Australian visas to take effect on 20 November 2015
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has announced a number of changes to health requirements for Australian visa applications, to take effect from 20 November 2015. As part of the changes, a new health matrix will be issued determining who is required to undertake medical examinations. The changes will also abolish streamlined health processing arrangements for 457 visa applicants which can affect the processing times.