What medical tests are done for Australian immigration?

The medical examinations required for Australian immigration depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the visa being applied for. For example, applicants aged 15 years or older applying for permanent or provisional visas generally need a medical examination, chest X-ray, HIV test and serum creatinine/eGFR test. Hepatitis B testing may also be required depending on the applicant’s country of birth. Additional tests can apply to people intending to work as doctors, dentists, nurses or paramedics. 

For applicants planning to work in nursing or other healthcare professions, understanding each examination is particularly important because healthcare-related occupations can trigger additional testing requirements. The following are some of the key examinations that applicants may encounter during the Australian immigration medical process.

General Physical Examination 

The general medical examination is one of the core components of an Australian immigration health assessment. It is conducted by an approved panel physician or clinic and involves reviewing the applicant’s medical history and assessing their general health. Applicants may be asked about previous illnesses, hospitalisations, tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or bladder problems, medications and other relevant medical circumstances. 

The purpose of this examination is not simply to determine whether an applicant is completely free from every medical condition. Australian immigration health assessments are used to determine whether the applicant meets the applicable health requirement under Australia’s migration rules. The examination may also lead to additional investigations if a health condition or other relevant concern is identified.

Applicants should therefore provide accurate information about their medical history and bring relevant medical or specialist reports when attending their appointment. The Department recommends taking existing specialist reports and previous chest X-rays, where applicable.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray is another important examination used in Australian immigration health assessments, particularly for applicants aged 11 years and older in circumstances where it is required. For permanent and provisional visa applicants aged 15 years or older, a chest X-ray is generally part of the standard health examination requirements.  

The chest X-ray is primarily used to assess the lungs and screen for tuberculosis (TB) and other relevant abnormalities. Additional tuberculosis screening may be required in certain circumstances, including for applicants from countries considered to have a higher risk of TB or applicants intending to work in healthcare settings.

The exact requirements can vary according to the applicant’s visa type, age, country of origin and intended activities in Australia. Therefore, applicants should follow the examination list provided by the Department rather than assuming that the same tests apply to everyone.

Serum Creatinine / eGFR Blood Test 

Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are used to assess kidney function. For applicants aged 15 years or older who are required to undergo an Immigration Medical Examination, serum creatinine testing and an eGFR calculation are part of the health assessment requirements. 

Creatinine is a waste product that is filtered from the blood by the kidneys. The eGFR uses kidney-related measurements, including serum creatinine, together with relevant patient information to estimate how effectively the kidneys are filtering blood. The result can help identify reduced kidney function that may require further assessment.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs’ panel physician instructions specify that serum creatinine and eGFR testing is required for applicants aged 15 years and older who are required to undertake an Immigration Medical Examination. Additional testing can also apply to younger applicants when there are identified risk factors for chronic kidney disease.

Applicants should not interpret an individual test result on their own as a visa decision. The immigration health assessment is evaluated according to Australia’s applicable health requirements, and further medical assessment may be requested where necessary. 

HIV Test 

An HIV test may form part of the Australian immigration health examination. For permanent and provisional visa applicants aged 15 years or older, HIV testing is generally required. HIV testing can also be required for applicants intending to work as or study to become doctors, nurses, paramedics or dentists. 

For nurses planning to migrate to Australia, this requirement is particularly relevant because nursing is specifically included among the occupations for which HIV testing is required. The test is performed as part of the immigration medical examination rather than as a separate test arranged independently by the applicant.

The Australian Department’s panel physician instructions also state that pre-test counselling must be provided before an HIV test is performed. Applicants should therefore follow the instructions given by the authorised panel physician or clinic during the examination process.

Hepatitis B / C Tests 

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing can be particularly relevant to applicants intending to work in healthcare. The exact requirement depends on the applicant’s circumstances and intended occupation.

For permanent and provisional visa applicants, Hepatitis B testing may be required for applicants born in a country with a higher risk of hepatitis B. In addition, applicants aged 15 years or older who intend to work as, or study or train to become, a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic may be required to undergo both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing.

This makes these tests especially important for internationally qualified nurses planning to pursue employment in Australia. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections that can affect the liver, and healthcare workers may have occupational exposure considerations that make appropriate health assessment particularly relevant.

Applicants should remember that not every Australian immigration applicant will automatically require both tests. The Department determines the required examinations based on the applicant’s visa, age, intended occupation and other relevant circumstances. Nurses should therefore check the health examination requirements issued for their individual application rather than relying on a general checklist.