New Condition: Health

A new visa condition 8529 has been inserted into Schedule 8 of the migration regulations. A visa holder must, after entering Australia, undergo a medical examination carried out by a Commonwealth Medical Officer (’CMO’) or a medical practitioner who falls in to one of the approved categories specified in paragraph 8529(a).

A visa holder must also, with certain exceptions, undergo a chest x-ray examination conducted by a medical practitioner qualified as a radiologist in Australia.

The exceptions are for:

• Person under 16 years in respect of whom a CMO has not requested an examination; and
• A woman confirmed by the CMO to be pregnant, who satisfies certain requirements relating to being examined for tuberculosis and signing an specified undertaking, and whom an immigration case officer is satisfied should not be required to undergo a chest x-ray examination at this time