Visa Health Examination Costs: A Guide by Examination Type
Who Pays for the Health Examination?
An important point to be clear on: the DHA does not pay for visa health examinations. All costs related to the health examination — including the general examination, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests — are paid by the applicant directly to the panel physician or panel clinic.
These costs are not part of the visa application charge and are not refunded under any circumstances, including where the visa is refused.
Examination Types and Their Costs
Visa health examination costs cover several different items depending on what the DHA requires for each visa type and each age group:
General examination (medical examination): this is the basic item, in which the doctor carries out a whole-body check, reviews medical history, takes blood pressure, and listens to the heart and lungs. The cost ranges from around AUD 300–500 in Australia. In some countries the price is considerably lower.
Chest X-ray: required for people aged 11 years and over (except pregnant women). The cost is usually included in an overall examination package or charged separately at around AUD 50–120 in Australia.
Blood tests: include the HIV test (required for people aged 15 years and over applying for a visa of 12 months or longer), tuberculosis testing, and some other tests depending on the case. A standalone HIV test costs around AUD 50–80.
Urine test: usually included in the basic examination package.
Vision test (if required): some visas require a vision test, usually charged separately at around AUD 30–60.
Costs Vary by Country
Visa health examination costs in some countries are considerably lower than in Australia. At panel clinics in many locations, a full examination package including X-ray and basic tests can be markedly cheaper than the Australian equivalent, depending on the clinic and the tests required.
These figures are indicative only and may change. You should contact the clinic directly for a specific and up-to-date price list.
Additional Costs That May Arise
Beyond the basic items, you may have to pay extra for:
A separate HIV test: if it is not included in the basic package, it is charged separately.
Specialist referral: if the panel physician identifies an issue requiring a specialist opinion (for example, cardiology, respiratory, psychiatry), you must pay for the specialist examination yourself. This is an unpredictable cost and can be relatively large.
Additional X-rays or further tests: if the initial results are unclear, the doctor may request additional investigations.
Document translation: if your medical records are not in English, some clinics require a certified English translation.
Budgeting for a Family Application
When a whole family applies for a visa, health examination costs multiply considerably. Each member listed in the visa application must be examined individually (except children under 11, who usually only need a general examination, without an X-ray).
Indicative estimate for a family of four in Australia (2 adults + 2 children):
- 2 adults (full examination package): around AUD 700–1,000
- 2 children (general examination without X-ray): around AUD 300–500
- Total estimate: AUD 1,000–1,500
In some countries the equivalent total is markedly lower, depending on the clinic.
Note: if a case includes someone who needs further health review (a health undertaking) or is referred to an Independent Medical Assessment, additional administrative and specialist costs may arise.
When Re-Examination Is Needed and Extra Costs Arise
Health examination results are usually valid for 12 months. If the visa has not been granted after 12 months, you will have to be examined again and bear the full cost a second time. This is an important consideration to factor into your financial planning when lodging a long-running application.