Health and Character Requirements for Visa 186

When you apply for visa 186 (permanent residence), the health and character requirements are applied more strictly than for visa 482 (temporary residence). The reason: with permanent residence, the Australian Government is committing to a long-term relationship — and it looks more closely before deciding.

Health requirement

The process is similar to the 482 but stricter in its consequences.

You will be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to complete an immigration health examination after lodging your application. You need to attend a designated immigration doctor (a panel physician). The results are sent straight to the Department’s system.

The items usually checked include: a general examination, a chest x-ray, blood and urine tests, and in many cases a tuberculosis test (IGRA/Mantoux).

Assessment criteria: The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the health condition would cause “undue cost or undue use of resources” for Australia’s health system.

Waiver: In some special cases, an applicant who does not meet the health requirement may still apply for a waiver — but this is not a routine process and there is no guarantee. A waiver is usually only considered where there are strong compassionate reasons.

Latent tuberculosis (LTBI): Common among applicants from Vietnam and other South-East Asian countries. It usually needs preventive treatment before the visa is granted. This does not refuse the visa but does slow down the assessment.

Character requirement

For permanent residence, the Department of Home Affairs applies the character test more strictly. Cases that may be refused include:

A criminal record with a prison sentence: A “substantial criminal record” as defined in the Migration Act means having been sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment (cumulatively or in one term). This is a mandatory ground for refusal.

Offences relating to children or of a sexual nature: Particularly serious — regardless of the penalty.

Membership of a criminal organisation: Association with gangs or organisations involved in unlawful activity.

Conduct that endangers the community: Even without a conviction, if the Department of Home Affairs has grounds to believe you may pose a danger, the visa may be refused.

Form 80 and police checks to prepare:

• Form 80: A detailed personal particulars declaration, which the Department of Home Affairs usually requires
• Police checks from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• From Vietnam: police record certificate No. 1 or No. 2 as required, issued by the Department of Justice

Accompanying family

All secondary applicants (partner, children) must meet the health and character requirements — including children. This is an important point: if any family member does not meet the requirement, the whole application can be affected.

If you or a family member have a complex health history or a criminal record, you should consult a registered migration agent (MARA) before lodging in order to assess the risk.

Order of steps

1. Lodge the visa application (and the business’s nomination)
2. Receive the invitation to the health examination from the Department (via ImmiAccount)
3. Book with a panel physician within the given period
4. Prepare and submit police checks when requested

You do not need to submit the health examination results yourself — the doctor sends them straight to the Department. You only need to submit your police checks and Form 80 when requested.