Chronic Illness and an Australian Visa: When Significant Cost Applies

Many people worry that a chronic illness will prevent them from getting an Australian visa. In reality, the test DHA uses is not “do you have a condition or not” but whether the expected medical cost exceeds a threshold.

What the significant cost threshold is

DHA sets a threshold for expected medical costs — if costs exceed this threshold over the intended period of stay (usually calculated over five years or the visa duration), the application may be considered not to meet the health requirement.

This threshold is reviewed periodically by the relevant health and immigration authorities.

Conditions that usually do NOT lead to refusal

Chronic conditions that are usually manageable with medication and whose treatment costs sit within the threshold:

Type 2 diabetes (without serious complications)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Mild to moderate asthma
Arthritis (not requiring joint replacement surgery)
Thyroid conditions controlled with medication
Mild to moderate depression/anxiety

Conditions at higher risk of exceeding the threshold

Conditions that usually lead to a more serious cost assessment:

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis: Dialysis costs in Australia are extremely high
Cancer requiring chemotherapy or radiotherapy: Treatment costs are very large
Serious cardiovascular disease requiring surgery: Heart bypass, heart valve replacement
Severe intellectual disability requiring 24/7 specialised care
Severe mental illness requiring long-term hospitalisation

How DHA calculates the cost

DHA relies on the assessment of a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) — a doctor authorised to assess medical costs against Australian rates. They estimate:

Medication costs (at Australian prices, not those in your home country)
The cost of regular follow-up appointments
The cost of tests and monitoring
The cost of treatment if the condition progresses

This is why, for the same condition, low treatment costs in your home country do not mean the threshold is met — the Australian cost may still exceed it.

Strategy if you have a chronic illness

Prepare complete medical records: Treatment history, current medications, most recent test results
Obtain a specialist opinion: A specialist report on the prognosis and how stable the condition is
Do not assume the outcome: Let the panel physician and DHA assess it; do not decide to give up on your own
Learn about the health waiver: See the article on what a health waiver is

Do not abandon migration plans simply because you have a chronic illness — many applicants are still granted a visa after DHA’s full assessment.