Navigating Australia's Migration Health Requirements: Updated Rules for 2024 and Beyond
Migrating to Australia is a dream for many, particularly those in the healthcare sector who are eager to contribute their skills to the Australian health system. However, one critical aspect of the migration process that applicants often overlook is the health requirement imposed by the Australian Government. This requirement is in place to ensure that migrants do not place an undue burden on the country’s healthcare system or community services.
The answer isn't straightforward. Whether you must sit these exams or may qualify for direct registration depends on:
✅ Where you completed your nursing qualification (some countries may be considered equivalent to Australian standards).
✅ The level of qualification you hold (Diploma, Bachelor, or higher).
✅ Whether you already have nursing registration in a PROPOSED recognised country (e.g. UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Singapore or Spain).
✅ If you have already completed an accepted OSCE and/or NCLEX in another country (which may allow for recognition in Australia.
With proposed changes to AHPRA’s registration pathways expected from April 2025, some nurses may qualify for direct registration—but these laws have not yet been implemented. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is still working through the details, and many factors will determine whether this applies to you.
If you or any of your immediate family members—whether they’re migrating with you or not—have a health condition, this part of the process can quickly become complicated. With updated rules effective from 1 July 2024, it’s more important than ever to understand how health conditions can affect your visa application and what you need to do to ensure you can still pursue your migration goals.
Australia's Health Requirement: Protecting Healthcare and Community Services
Australia’s health requirement is designed to protect its healthcare system and community services from being overwhelmed by the cost of caring for migrants who may have significant health needs. This means that anyone applying for a visa must meet certain health standards, whether they are coming to Australia temporarily or permanently.
The Australian Government assesses applicants to ensure they do not pose:
A significant cost to the healthcare system, or
A public health risk (e.g., active tuberculosis).
While many applicants pass these assessments easily, those with pre-existing health conditions may face challenges. This is where engaging a migration expert becomes crucial, as understanding the potential impact of a health condition on your visa application is not always straightforward.
Important Update: From 1 July 2024, the "significant cost threshold"—the estimated amount an individual could cost the Australian healthcare system—has increased. This means that some applicants who previously may not have met the health requirement might now pass, while others may still face challenges depending on the nature of their health condition.
The Updated Significant Cost Threshold as of 1 July 2024
As of 1 July 2024, the Australian Government has increased the significant cost threshold for migration health assessments. This threshold refers to the amount an individual is expected to cost the healthcare and community services system over a specified period, typically the first 10 years of residency in Australia.
Previously, if an applicant’s health condition was projected to cost more than AUD 51,000 over ten years, they could be deemed to not meet the health requirement. However, with the updated rules, this threshold has now increased to AUD 83,000 over ten years. This means that more applicants may now meet the health requirement, as the bar for significant costs has been raised.
While this is good news for many applicants, it doesn’t guarantee that everyone with a health condition will meet the requirement. Each case is assessed individually, and even with the increased threshold, some conditions may still be deemed too costly.
Health Conditions and Their Impact on Migration: What You Need to Know
If you or any of your immediate family members (such as your spouse, partner, or dependent children) have a health condition, it’s essential to understand how this could impact your migration plans. Health assessments conducted as part of your visa application will not take into account any subsidies provided by the government or private health insurance. This means that even if your condition is stable or well-managed, it will still be assessed based on the expected cost to the Australian healthcare system.
Common health conditions that may cause issues during migration health assessments include, but are not limited to:
Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease
Physical disabilities requiring ongoing care or support
Mental health conditions, including depression or anxiety
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis
Cancer, even if in remission
HIV, which, despite advances in treatment, is still assessed based on the potential cost of cost of care
Additionally, the healthcare needs of children with developmental or intellectual disabilities are also scrutinised, as these conditions often require substantial support and resources.
Remember, even though you may work in healthcare yourself and are accustomed to seeing how healthcare is delivered, the costs of services your patients receive are often subsidised by the government or covered by private health insurance. Unfortunately, in migration health assessments, these factors are not considered. The Australian Government evaluates the costs based on full price estimates for care, medication, and other services. This means that no matter how well-managed or stable your condition is, it will be assessed using the same standard as any other applicant.
Why You Need Legal Advice for Health-Related Migration Cases
If you, your partner, or your dependent children have any health conditions, it’s essential to seek professional legal advice as early as possible in the migration process. While you may feel confident that your condition is well-managed or that it shouldn’t be a significant burden on the healthcare system, the reality is that the Australian Government’s assessment process is complex and sometimes unforgiving.
By working with a qualified migration lawyer, you’ll be able to:
Understand your situation clearly: A legal professional can explain how your specific condition might be assessed and what documentation you’ll need to provide.
Explore your visa options: Not all visa types have the same health requirements, and a lawyer can help you identify which visa may be the best fit for you and your family.
Build a strong case: Migration lawyers are skilled at putting together comprehensive visa applications that anticipate and address potential issues, including those related to health.
Appeal if necessary: If your visa is denied on health grounds, a migration lawyer can help you understand your options for appeal and work with you to strengthen your case.
It’s especially important to seek legal advice if your family members have health conditions, as your visa application could be affected even if they are not migrating with you. Under Australia’s migration rules, all immediate family members (whether they are included in the application or not) must meet the health requirement, so their conditions will also be assessed.
What Are Your Options If You or a Family Member Doesn’t Meet the Health Requirement?
If you or a family member doesn’t meet the health requirement, don’t panic—there are still options available to you. The Australian Government does allow for health waivers in certain circumstances, depending on the type of visa you’re applying for. Health waivers are most commonly available for partner visas, humanitarian visas, and some employer-sponsored visas. To obtain a health waiver, you’ll need to provide strong evidence showing that the overall benefit of your migration to Australia outweighs the potential healthcare costs.
Once again, engaging a migration lawyer is critical here. A lawyer can help you gather the necessary documentation, present your case effectively, and give you the best chance of being granted a health waiver.
Conclusion: Health Conditions Don’t Have to Be a Barrier
Australia’s updated health requirement rules for 2024 are designed to protect the country’s healthcare and community services, but they don’t have to stop you from achieving your migration goals. With the increased significant cost threshold, more applicants with health conditions may now meet the health requirement. However, every case is unique, and even minor health conditions can complicate your application.
If you or your family members have any health conditions, it’s essential to seek professional legal advice to ensure your migration plans stay on track. At SOLVi Migration, we specialise in helping healthcare professionals like you navigate the complexities of the Australian visa process. Don’t leave your future to chance—reach out to us today for expert advice and assistance.
✅ Book a paid legal consultation with SOLVi Migration today.
We’ll assess your situation and give you a clear legal strategy to migrate independently to Australia.
✅ Need help with AHPRA registration? Join our Nurse Registration Course.
Get cost-effective, expert guidance and access to a supportive community so you can secure your AHPRA registration and move forward with your migration plans.
