Medical Treatment Visa
(Subclass 602)
The Medical Treatment Visa is designed for individuals of any age seeking to travel to or extend their stay in Australia for medical treatment or to assist someone undergoing medical treatment and holding or applying for the same visa. This visa is also suitable for individuals donating an organ to another person. It serves as a vital resource for those lacking access to treatment in their home country. The visa permits the holder to remain in Australia for the duration of their treatment plan or until medical consultations are completed. It is essential that the individual’s medical condition poses no threat to public health.
Duration of Stay:
Your stay in Australia is temporary and is determined by the completion of your treatment plan or consultations. Typically, the visa is issued for up to 12 months. However, if you apply for the visa while offshore, it is usually granted for a period of up to 3 months. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will assess your individual situation and strive to provide an adequate duration for your treatment needs. It’s important to note that extending your stay beyond the granted period is not possible under this visa.
Permitted Activities under this Visa:
With this visa, you are authorized to:
Stay in Australia until the completion of your treatment plan or consultations.
Depending on your circumstances, be granted either a single entry or multiple entries to Australia, characterized as follows:
Single Entry:Â If you were outside Australia when the visa was granted and leave the country, you cannot return. However, if you were inside Australia when the visa was granted, you can leave and return once.
Multiple Entries:Â You have the flexibility to leave and re-enter Australia as many times as needed while the visa remains valid.
Engage in studies for up to 3 months, with the possibility of a longer duration if you meet the exemption criteria.
- Exemption Criteria: Individuals under 18 years old or those who have experienced a change of circumstances in Australia may study for a longer period, subject to obtaining written permission from a delegate due to compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria:
You must be in one of these situations:
- Be in Australia, aged 50 years or older, been refused an Australian permanent visa on health grounds only and are unfit to depart Australia.
- Intend to donate an organ to someone in Australia.
- Intend to have medical treatment or consultations in Australia.
- Intend to receive an organ from someone who travels to Australia with you.
- Intend to support a patient or organ donor who holds or is applying for this visa.
- Intend to come to Australia under the arrangements between the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and the Queensland Department of Health.
Application Location and Cost:
Whether you are inside or outside Australia, the location of your application determines your eligibility for this visa. If applying from outside Australia, you must be located outside the country when the visa is granted. Conversely, if the application is submitted within Australia, you must be present in the country when the visa is granted. The cost for applicants applying within Australia is $315, while it is free for those applying from outside Australia or representing a foreign government.
Ineligibility Criteria: Restrictions on Previous Visas and Stay Duration
You cannot have held the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular stream). If you are currently in Australia, you must not hold, or the last substantive visa you held must not have been, a Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) granted in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular stream).
Additionally, you are not eligible for a Medical Treatment visa if you plan to stay in Australia for over 12 consecutive months, holding or having held one or more Visitor visas, unless you qualify as a unit, are experiencing financial hardship, or have other compelling reasons.
Furthermore, if you are applying for this visa while in Australia, you cannot have condition 8503 – No Further Stay attached to your current visa unless the condition is waived.
Temporary Stay Requirement: Genuine Visitor
While holding this visa, your sole intention must be to stay in Australia temporarily and engage in activities permitted by this visa. However, the intention to stay temporarily will not be considered to apply if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Currently in Australia.
- Aged 50 years or older.
- Have faced refusal of a permanent visa due to not meeting the health requirement.
- Deemed unfit to depart Australia.
Financial Self-Support Requirement:
It is imperative that you possess sufficient means or have access to resources to independently support yourself throughout your stay in Australia. This encompasses covering the costs associated with:
- Your travel to Australia.
- Your medical treatment.
- Other expenses related to your stay in Australia.
- The expenses of anyone accompanying you to Australia, including those of an organ donor.
In most cases, you must pre-arrange the payment of your medical costs and demonstrate that it will not impose financial burdens on the Australian government. This can be evidenced through written confirmation from a public or private hospital, indicating approval for your treatment and arrangements to cover all associated costs.
Comprehensive Visa Application Requirements:
When applying for this visa, individual applications are necessary for each family member unless they are included in your passport; however, simultaneous processing can be requested for family members applying together. Adequate health insurance is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen medical expenses, as individuals are personally liable for all healthcare costs while in Australia. Reciprocal healthcare agreements may apply, and information can be obtained from Services Australia. Health requirements are mandatory, with results typically valid for 12 months. Additionally, all applicants aged 16 and above must meet character requirements, providing police certificates for countries of residence during the past 10 years after turning 16. Applicants must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts.