How the Visa Works
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Bringing Family
Separate visa applications must be made by family members, organ donors, or any other person accompanying or providing support to you while you undergo treatment.
Each passport holder must apply for this visa separately except children travelling on a parent's passport who do not need to complete a separate application.
Children under 18 years travelling without one or both of their parents must supply written permission of consent to travel to Australia from the non-travelling parent(s).
See also: Eligibility > Children under 18 years of age
Visa validity period
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to and longer than 3 months.
Your period of stay will depend on the period of treatment. This visa is not intended to cover any long period of recovery once you are deemed fit for travel.
Extending your stay
You can apply for a further visa if medical treatment will continue beyond the period of stay authorised by your visa
If you wish to extend your visit for purposes other than medical treatment such for a holiday, sightseeing, to visit friends or relatives or for other purpose, you should consider a visitor visa.
See: Visitors
You must apply for and be granted your next visa before your existing visa expires.
Government assistance
If you are granted this visa, you will not be eligible for Medicare or other Australian government health benefits.
You are required to pay for your own treatment and are expected to have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia.
Reciprocal health agreements
Reciprocal health agreements between Australia and other governments are not available to cover expenses for pre-arranged treatment.
Working
You are not able to work in Australia if you are granted this visa.
Studying
You can study for up to three months if you are granted this visa.
See: Students
Medical treatment definitions
The following definitions are available to help you understand the information on these pages.
Adequate payment arrangements
You will need to show that you have made arrangements, which are acceptable to your treating doctor, to pay the cost of your treatment. This may include:
- paying a deposit
- providing the doctor with evidence of health insurance or funds to cover the costs
- paying the cost in full.
Note: You should discuss this matter with your treating doctor in Australia.
Medical treatment
Medical treatment includes:
- consultation with a health professional
- an operation
- organ donation
- any activity that takes a person into a health care facility.
Note: It excludes surrogate motherhood.
Sufficient funds
You will be required to provide evidence that you have enough money to support yourself, and anyone accompanying you, while you are in Australia.
If your family and friends in Australia are going to provide you with support during your stay, this can be taken into account in deciding if you have sufficient funds.
Substantive visa
A substantive visa is a visa other than any of the following:
- a bridging visa
- a criminal justice visa
- an enforcement visa.