Getting A Partner Visa With HIV In Australia
Is It Possible?
Is It Possible?
Yes It Is! Embark Migration provides a confidential and free initial assessment for all HIV+ visa applicants and their partners in Australia.
Specialist Migration Support
For The LGBT+ Community
Why Our Clients Trust Us:
+ Confidential Advice And Case Management
+ Only Our Senior Staff Manage HIV Cases
+ Gay Owned Business Serving Our Community
+ Firm Founded By Former Immigration Officer
HIV, Other Medical Conditions
And Applying For A Visa
And Applying For A Visa
For many years migration law in Australia has been discriminatory towards people with disabilities, including people living with HIV.
Thankfully, changes in Australian law have changed things for the better. The Government must give all visa applicants who are living with HIV a fair and reasonable opportunity to still be granted a partner visa. This opportunity is often referred to as giving 'natural justice' to applicants and their partner. In recent years, many HIV positive visa applicants get their visas approved.
Thankfully, changes in Australian law have changed things for the better. The Government must give all visa applicants who are living with HIV a fair and reasonable opportunity to still be granted a partner visa. This opportunity is often referred to as giving 'natural justice' to applicants and their partner. In recent years, many HIV positive visa applicants get their visas approved.
Any person living with HIV, or another ongoing chronic medical condition, who applies for an Australian partner visa will most likely fail to meet strict visa health criteria. In the majority of HIV cases, the Australian Government considers this to be a medical condition for which the necessary treatment will incur significant costs. The costs of treatment are usually assessed as being long term and will include medication and specialist medical support. HIV and other ongoing chronic conditions will not cause a person to fail the health criteria for other visa types.
It is always best to speak to an experienced registered migration agent if you are living with HIV or any other significant medical condition before applying for a temporary visa or permanent residence visa, such as the 820/801 or 309/100 partner visas.
It is always best to speak to an experienced registered migration agent if you are living with HIV or any other significant medical condition before applying for a temporary visa or permanent residence visa, such as the 820/801 or 309/100 partner visas.
The intention of the immigration health checks and medical examinations is to ensure that Australia’s high health standards are maintained and that the following ideas are achieved:
- Public health risks are minimised
- Public expenditure on health and community services are kept to within levels that are able to be absorbed by the Australia community
- Australian citizens and permanent residents have access to health and other health related community services especially those that are in short supply
The Australian immigration system is extremely complicated. In every case, successfully applying for a partner visa with HIV is very difficult and any request for a health waiver should be carefully prepared to improve the likelihood of having a visa granted.
Can My Visa Application Still Be Approved?
If it is determined that you do not meet the health requirement, the Department will issue a ‘natural justice’ letter.
You will be invited to provide further information and claims to support a health waiver.
If your request for health waiver is successful, your visa application will continue.
If a health waiver is not approved, your visa cannot granted.
You will be invited to provide further information and claims to support a health waiver.
If your request for health waiver is successful, your visa application will continue.
If a health waiver is not approved, your visa cannot granted.
Why Did I Fail The Visa Health Criteria?
Australia's immigration laws require most visa applicants to meet what is known as Public Interest Criteria (PIC). The health related PICs (4005-4007) stipulate the health requirement that must be met before a visa can be granted.
To meet the health requirement and to be granted a visa, a visa applicant’s immigration medical examination results must be assessed by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC). Only the MOC can approve a health clearance in the first instance. If the health outcome is a “Does Not Meet”, the visa applicant has not met the health requirement and a visa cannot be granted unless a health waiver is available and exercised. In these situations, once a health waiver has been approved, then the Department can resume processing of the visa application. A case officer can still request further information to finalise the visa application.
Having a health waiver approved does not mean that the visa will still be granted. The applicant must still meet all other visa criteria.
To meet the health requirement and to be granted a visa, a visa applicant’s immigration medical examination results must be assessed by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC). Only the MOC can approve a health clearance in the first instance. If the health outcome is a “Does Not Meet”, the visa applicant has not met the health requirement and a visa cannot be granted unless a health waiver is available and exercised. In these situations, once a health waiver has been approved, then the Department can resume processing of the visa application. A case officer can still request further information to finalise the visa application.
Having a health waiver approved does not mean that the visa will still be granted. The applicant must still meet all other visa criteria.
Significant Costs
After completing health checks and medical examinations for a partner visa, Commonwealth Medical Officer must provide an opinion as to whether an applicant's condition or disease would be likely to result in 'significant health care and community service costs if a visa were to be granted.
All partner visa applicants who test positive for HIV will be deemed to be a “significant cost to the Australian Community in terms of health care and community services”.
All partner visa applicants who test positive for HIV will be deemed to be a “significant cost to the Australian Community in terms of health care and community services”.
Prejudice to Access
The Commonwealth Medical Officer must also determine whether an applicant’s condition or disease would be likely to prejudice the access of Australians to health care and community services (that is likely to be already in limited supply and are in high demand). The level of
prejudice will be “substantial” or “extensive”.
The level of prejudice will usually include organ transplants, blood plasma products, radiotherapy, dialysis and treatment for active hepatitis.
prejudice will be “substantial” or “extensive”.
The level of prejudice will usually include organ transplants, blood plasma products, radiotherapy, dialysis and treatment for active hepatitis.
Public Health Risks
In the majority of cases, HIV or hepatitis is not considered to be a threat to public health.
But if you have HIV or hepatitis, your condition may be considered to be a threat to public health if you plan to work in Australia in a medical field or if you have a certain level of viral load.
But if you have HIV or hepatitis, your condition may be considered to be a threat to public health if you plan to work in Australia in a medical field or if you have a certain level of viral load.
What You Need For A Health Waiver
As every person has a different personal situation, a number of different circumstances can assessed when a health waiver request is being considered. Examples of these factors include whether the applicant will be able to mitigate their medical costs, compassionate grounds such as whether an applicant will still be able to access medical treatment if they are forced to return to their country of citizenship or they have significant family links to Australia.
The Department is obliged to consider any factors of a compelling or compassionate nature when deciding whether to grant a health waiver. When making a request for a health waiver you will need to explain that the risks and medical expenses associated with your health condition will be offset by other things. For example, are your skills valuable in Australia (as paid or unpaid work)? How is your current financial situation? Will the cost of medication decrease in the future? Can your doctor provide supporting evidence to help you - for example, your present viral load does not indicate the need for ongoing treatment?
As every person has a different personal situation, a number of different circumstances can assessed when a health waiver request is being considered. Examples of these factors include whether the applicant will be able to mitigate their medical costs, compassionate grounds such as whether an applicant will still be able to access medical treatment if they are forced to return to their country of citizenship or they have significant family links to Australia.
It is highly recommended that you seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent to help you request a health waiver.
The Department is obliged to consider any factors of a compelling or compassionate nature when deciding whether to grant a health waiver. When making a request for a health waiver you will need to explain that the risks and medical expenses associated with your health condition will be offset by other things. For example, are your skills valuable in Australia (as paid or unpaid work)? How is your current financial situation? Will the cost of medication decrease in the future? Can your doctor provide supporting evidence to help you - for example, your present viral load does not indicate the need for ongoing treatment?
As every person has a different personal situation, a number of different circumstances can assessed when a health waiver request is being considered. Examples of these factors include whether the applicant will be able to mitigate their medical costs, compassionate grounds such as whether an applicant will still be able to access medical treatment if they are forced to return to their country of citizenship or they have significant family links to Australia.
It is highly recommended that you seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent to help you request a health waiver.
Health Checks For Partner Visas
All partner visa applicants must undergo health examinations, including all children under the age of 18 years as well as dependants who may not be migrating. If any applicants or dependent relatives do not meet health requirements, a partner visa may not be granted.
Usually a medical examination, chest x-ray and possibly some laboratory or specialist tests are required.
Processing of visa applications may be delayed beyond 12 months. If this is the case, any health examinations previously done may need to be done again.
Usually a medical examination, chest x-ray and possibly some laboratory or specialist tests are required.
Processing of visa applications may be delayed beyond 12 months. If this is the case, any health examinations previously done may need to be done again.
Health conditions that may lead to your application being refused include
- Tuberculosis
- Other conditions where you are assessed by Australian authorities as requiring treatment, support or assistance that are considered to be in short supply, or that have a high cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Waivers
What if I fail the health criteria because they decide that I am likely to incur significant costs?
If you fail the health criteria because of the estimated cost you will be given what is called a ‘natural justice letter’ notifying you of the intention to refuse the visa because of health and giving you an opportunity to respond. In order to respond to a ‘natural justice’ letter for a temporary visa you should make arguments demonstrating why you will not pose a significant cost the Commonwealth.
Will I still be able to get treatment for HIV after arriving in Australia?
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco.
What is a Natural Justice Letter?
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Other Available Services For LGBT+ Migrants
We know the Australian visa process is confusing, stressful and expensive. Embark Migration provides a range of professional immigration assistance including 20 or 60-minute consultations and application checking services.
Our licenced and registered consultants can also provide start-to-finish services for all Australian visa matters. As part of our process, your consultant can advise which services are suitable to you depending on your needs and budget.
VisaHelp Consultations
Immigration Helpline
Complete DIY Visa Pack
FULL REPRESENTATION SERVICE
Our full representation service means we will do everything for you. Organize your documents. Lodge your application. Respond to department requests. Monitor your application until a decision has been made.
Effortless
We organize everything for you.
We prepare and lodge your application.
We communicate with the government for you.
We monitor your application until you get a decision.
We prepare and lodge your application.
We communicate with the government for you.
We monitor your application until you get a decision.
Professional
We are an Australian registered firm.
A principal agent with 25+ years government experience.
We have helped people from 43 different countries.
Sydney CBD office with a professional support team.
A principal agent with 25+ years government experience.
We have helped people from 43 different countries.
Sydney CBD office with a professional support team.
Confidential
All of your information remains confidential.
Secure military grade client data protection.
Documents securely destroyed after closure.
Only your agent can access your information.
Secure military grade client data protection.
Documents securely destroyed after closure.
Only your agent can access your information.
Trusted
Extremely high records of successful outcomes.
All our immigration agents are licenced.
High rate of positive client feedback.
Founded by former Australian immigration staff.
All our immigration agents are licenced.
High rate of positive client feedback.
Founded by former Australian immigration staff.
Specialist focus on partner and family visas
Our principal agent has 25+ years government experience
Fixed-fees so you don't get any costly surprises
Extremely high record of successful results
Founded by former Australian immigration staff
"Embark Migration provides the experience, expertise and compassion needed to guide you through the stressful immigration process."
Phone (Local): 1300 803 888 | Phone (Int'l): +61 2 8006 8388
Email: myagent@embarkmigration.com
ABOUT US
Embark Migration provides specialist immigration and services to help our clients achieve their goals for Australian permanent or temporary residence through a variety of visa pathways.
HEAD OFFICE
Level 21, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Call 1300 803 888
myagent@embarkmigration.com
MARN 1464180
Call 1300 803 888
myagent@embarkmigration.com
MARN 1464180
OPENING HOURS
Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: By Appointment
Sun: Closed
Sat: By Appointment
Sun: Closed
© J Bai Holdings Pty. Ltd. T/As Embark Migration
(ABN 16 619 775 058) Admin
(ABN 16 619 775 058) Admin