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This visa could be for you if you intend to travel to Australia for medical treatment or medical consultations except surrogate motherhood, to donate an organ, or accompany or provide support to the person needing treatment. If you apply for this visa outside Australia, there is no application charge. But if you are in Australia when you apply, there is a non-refundable visa application charge. Family members, organ donors, or any other person who will accompany you or provide support to you while you undergo treatment must complete separate application forms.
A Medical Treatment visa allows you to visit and study in Australia for up to three months. Your period of stay will depend on the period of your treatment. You can apply for an extension if your medical treatment will continue beyond the period of stay authorized by your visa or if you intend to visit friends or relatives, for a holiday or sightseeing. You cannot apply for an extension if your intention is to recover from an illness or surgery. You must apply for the visa extension before your current visa expires.
You will not be eligible for Medicare or other Australian government health benefits. You are required to pay for your own treatment and you must have sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia.
(These are general instructions only, please contact a Migration Agent for advice on your personal situation)
Example requirements for a Medical Treatment (Short Stay) visa
- You must have a confirmed medical treatment or consultation in Australia;
- You must be able to provide evidence of sufficient funds for the trip and treatment, and that arrangements have been made for the payment of your complete treatment plan, other expenses related to your stay in Australia, expenses of any person accompanying you and expenses of the an organ donor, if applicable;
- You must be able to confirm that adequate payment arrangements have been made for your treatment, no Australian citizen or permanent resident will be disadvantaged in obtaining medical treatment and any treatment in a public hospital has been approved by the State or Territory health authority.
- You must meet health requirements – you will be asked to undergo a medical examination, after you have lodged your application, to ensure you do not have active tuberculosis;
- You must satisfy the character requirement – you may be asked to submit a police clearance;
- If there are children under 18 years of age travelling with you, a consent from the non-accompanying parent or guardian must be provided.
How to Apply for a Medical Treatment (Short Stay) visa
When you lodge your application for this type of visa, you must ensure that all documents have been provided and included with the application form. Aside from a complete Form 48ME Application to Visit Australia for Medical Treatment, you have to pay the visa application charge if you are in Australia. You can pay by credit card, bank cheque or money order. But if you apply outside Australia, there is no visa fee.
You have to submit certified copies of your passport or travel document, including other people who will be travelling with you. Four recent passport size photos of yourself and other people included in the application should be attached. If the applicants are under 18 years of age, a written confirmation from any parent or guardian not travelling with the child, should be given. If you will seek treatment or organ donation in Australia, you will need to provide a letter from the treating doctor in Australia outlining your medical condition and the treatment that you will require, including an estimate of the timeframe and cost of your treatment. You also provide a letter from the treating doctor or hospital advising they are satisfied with the payment arrangements.
You should also provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself and other people travelling with you. You may include letters from Australians who will give you support during your stay. You may be asked to undergo medical examination and to submit police clearances.
(These are general instructions only, please contact a Migration Agent for advice on your personal situation)
How and Where to lodge your Application
You may lodge your application for a Medical Treatment (Short Stay) visa by post, by courier or in person with the nearest Immigration Office in your area. You must call beforehand to enquire the method of payment you will use. After you lodge your application, you may be asked to submit additional requirements to support your application. You must submit this within a specified period of time, otherwise, a decision will be made by your Case Officer based on the information you have given.
If a visa is granted, you will be notified in writing by the Department about your approval and the conditions of your visa. If it is denied, you will receive notification and the reasons for their decision. The letter will also advise you if the decision can be reviewed by the Migration Review Tribunal but most Medical Treatment visa applications made from outside Australia cannot be reviewed by the MRT.
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