Australia Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602): Eligibility, Documents and How to Apply

What Is the Australian Medical Treatment Visa?

The Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) lets an eligible person travel to Australia, or remain in Australia temporarily, for medical treatment or medical consultation. It can also be used by eligible organ donors and support persons.

The visa may be granted for single or multiple entry depending on the applicant's circumstances. The length of stay is determined case by case, including by reference to the proposed treatment plan.

A subclass 602 visa holder generally cannot work in Australia except in limited circumstances. Study for up to three months may be permitted, with limited exemptions allowing longer study in particular situations.

Who Can Apply for a Medical Treatment Visa?

An applicant may be eligible if they are in one of the situations covered by the subclass 602 rules, including where they:

• intend to have medical treatment or medical consultation in Australia;
• intend to donate an organ to a person in Australia;
• intend to support a patient or organ donor who holds a Medical Treatment visa;
• intend to receive an organ from a person travelling to Australia with them;
• intend to come to Australia under specified arrangements between the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and the Queensland Department of Health; or
• are in Australia, aged 50 years or older, have been refused an Australian permanent visa on health grounds only, and are unfit to depart Australia.

Main Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 602

The exact criteria depend on the applicant's circumstances. In general, applicants must satisfy the requirements relevant to their situation, including the following.

Genuine temporary stay

Generally, the applicant must intend to stay in Australia temporarily and undertake only activities permitted by the visa. A limited exception applies to certain applicants aged 50 years or older who are in Australia, have been refused a permanent visa on health grounds and are unfit to depart.

Adequate financial capacity

The applicant must have, or have access to, adequate funds to meet relevant expenses. This can include travel to Australia, medical treatment, living and other stay-related expenses, and expenses for accompanying people where applicable.

Public health

The applicant must not have a medical condition that could be a threat to public health or endanger the Australian community.

Australian Government debts

In most cases, any money owed to the Australian Government must have been repaid or be subject to a formal repayment arrangement.

Documents Required for an Australian Medical Treatment Visa

Identity documents

• Pages of the current passport showing the applicant's photograph, personal details, passport number, and issue and expiry dates.
• National identity card, if the applicant has one.
• Evidence of any change of name, where relevant.
• Any additional identity documents requested through ImmiAccount.

Medical treatment documents

If applying to receive treatment or to donate an organ, provide a letter from the treating doctor in Australia setting out:

• the applicant's medical condition;
• the treatment or consultation required;
• an estimate of the treatment timeframe; and
• an estimate of the treatment cost.

Form 1507 in specified cases

Form 1507 - Evidence of intended medical treatment (includes consultation) must be completed in specified circumstances. In particular, Home Affairs states that an applicant applying in Australia who does not hold a substantive visa must provide the completed form with the application. A support person may also need to provide the form completed for the person receiving treatment.

Official Form 1507 - Evidence of intended medical treatment (PDF)

Financial evidence

Provide documents demonstrating the ability to meet treatment, travel and living costs. Depending on the case, this may include bank statements, evidence of income, sponsor or supporter evidence, treatment-cost estimates, and written confirmation of who will pay the relevant expenses.

Arrangements for Payment of Medical Treatment

In most circumstances, applicants must arrange payment of their medical costs before the visa can be granted. The purpose is to demonstrate that the treatment will not impose costs on an Australian government or public authority.

Written evidence from the relevant public or private hospital should confirm that treatment has been approved and that acceptable arrangements are in place to pay all costs. Applicants should also provide evidence showing adequate funds for themselves and any accompanying person.

Support Person for a Patient or Organ Donor

A family member, friend or other eligible person may apply for a Medical Treatment visa to support a person who holds this visa for treatment or organ donation.

Each support person normally makes a separate visa application unless the support person is included in the same passport. Home Affairs can process the applications together, but the patient's or organ donor's visa must be granted before the support person's visa can be granted.

Support-person documents should clearly explain the relationship to the patient or donor, why support is required, the proposed duration of stay, and how the support person's expenses will be met.

Children Under 18 Years of Age

Where a child under 18 is applying and a person with parental responsibility is not travelling with the child, additional consent and parental-responsibility documents may be required. Relevant evidence can include birth, custody, guardianship or court documents and written consent from persons with parental responsibility.

Where applicable, use Form 1229 - Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years.

Official Form 1229 - Consent for a child under 18 (PDF)

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants must satisfy Australia's applicable health requirements. Home Affairs may require health examinations and will provide the required examination list and a HAP ID where examinations are required.

Most visa applicants are also subject to character requirements. Home Affairs may request police certificates or other evidence as part of its assessment.

Applicants should follow the examination instructions issued through ImmiAccount and use an approved panel physician or clinic where required.

Health insurance

Applicants should consider adequate health insurance for their stay. The visa holder remains responsible for healthcare and treatment costs that are not otherwise covered by approved payment arrangements or an applicable reciprocal healthcare arrangement.

Translations and Preparing Documents

All non-English documents must be translated into English. Provide both the original-language document and the English translation.

• Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
• Translations completed outside Australia should state the translator's full name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in the language translated.
• Scan or photograph documents in colour.
• Make sure every document is clear and legible.
• Save all pages of a multi-page document together as one file where possible.
• Documents do not need to be certified unless Home Affairs specifically asks for certification.

Medical Treatment Visa Cost, Stay and Travel

The subclass 602 visa is free when the application is made outside Australia. A visa application charge applies to many applications made in Australia, with limited concessions and exemptions. Applicants may still have separate costs for health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and medical treatment.

The visa is temporary. Home Affairs determines the permitted stay period case by case, including by considering the treatment plan. The visa may permit single or multiple entry.

The visa itself cannot simply be extended. If additional time is required, the person must apply for another visa for which they are eligible before their current visa expires.

How to Apply for a Medical Treatment Visa Subclass 602

1. Check that the Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) is appropriate for your circumstances.
2. Ensure you have a valid passport or other acceptable travel document.
3. Obtain the treating doctor's letter and evidence of the proposed treatment, timeframe and estimated cost.
4. Arrange acceptable payment evidence for treatment and demonstrate adequate financial capacity.
5. Complete Form 1507 where it is required for your circumstances.
6. Create or sign in to ImmiAccount.
7. Select the Medical Treatment visa and complete the online application.
8. Attach all supporting documents and English translations.
9. Pay any applicable visa application charge if applying in Australia.
10. After lodgement, check ImmiAccount and respond promptly to requests for health examinations, biometrics, police certificates or additional evidence.

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