Health and Character Requirements for Australian Visa (Partner Visa Focus)

If you’re applying for an Australian Partner visa—onshore (subclass 820/801) or offshore (subclass 309/100)—you must meet the health and character requirements for an Australian visa. Visa applicants must satisfy specific health and character standards as set by the Australian government. These checks are a mandatory part of the process and can affect whether your visa is approved.

This FAQ explains how these requirements apply specifically to Partner visa applicants and what to expect.

Health Requirements for a Partner Visa

What health checks are required for an Australian visa?

As part of the visa application, you and any dependants must complete Australian visa medical tests by undergoing a medical examination conducted by an approved panel doctor. For most Partner visa applicants, this includes the following medical examination components required to meet Australia's health requirements:

• Medical exam

• Chest X-ray

• Blood tests

Panel doctors are authorized to conduct these tests, and the approved panel doctor reports directly to the visa office to ensure compliance with health requirements. You can see a list of approved panel doctors here after choosing your country of residence.

The specific tests may vary based on your age, country of residence, or health history.

Can a medical condition cause my visa to be refused?

Yes, but only in certain cases. Your Partner visa could be refused if:

• You have a health condition that is likely to require significant treatment or services

• The estimated cost to the Australian health system exceeds the set threshold (about AUD $86,000 over 10 years)

• The condition poses a risk to public health (e.g. untreated tuberculosis)

What if I have a serious illness like HIV, cancer, or mental illness?

You can still apply. Even serious health conditions may not lead to refusal, especially for Partner visas where health waivers are available. These waivers allow the Department to grant a visa despite a medical issue, if there are strong compassionate reasons—like a genuine long-term relationship or other reasons.

What is a health waiver and how does it work?

If you fail the health requirement, you may be invited to apply for a health waiver. You’ll need to provide:

• Evidence of the genuine nature of your relationship

• Information showing that granting the visa would not result in undue cost or prejudice to Australian public services

Partner visa applicants are often granted waivers due to the compassionate nature of their cases. The waiver cases can take years to process and require professional assistance from a registered migration agent.

Character Requirements for an Australian Visa

What character documents are required?

You must provide police certificates (also known as penal clearance certificates) for every listed country where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, including:

• Your country of citizenship

• Australia, if applicable

These police certificates must be current, and the issue date is important for determining their validity. If a previous certificate has expired and you have returned to a country, you may need to provide a police certificate with a new issue date. This applies to all police certificates required for immigration or visa application processes.

If you have served more than 12 months in a country's military force, you must also provide military certificates. This includes a military certificate from your commanding officer confirming your service, the period served at any military base, and whether you have been convicted of any criminal offence during your military service.

What could cause someone to fail the character test?

An applicant may fail the character requirement if they have engaged in criminal conduct or have criminal convictions.

Your application may be refused if you:

• Have a substantial criminal record (sentences of 12 months or more, even if suspended)

• Have been convicted of family violence, child abuse, or sexual offences

• Have ties to criminal organisations

• They are considered a threat to the Australian community

The Department assesses both past conduct and present criminal behaviour to determine if an individual is of good character. If an applicant is found guilty of a sexually based crime, especially a sexually based crime involving children, this can result in automatic visa refusal.

Will a criminal record automatically result in visa refusal?

Not necessarily. The Department of Home Affairs considers:

• The nature and seriousness of the offence

• How long ago it occurred

• Whether there’s been rehabilitation

• Any supporting evidence or explanation

Minor or dated offences (e.g. a past drink driving charge) are unlikely to result in refusal, especially if disclosed upfront.

However, refusal or cancellation of a visa on character grounds can affect eligibility for many visas.

Does my sponsor’s character history matter?

Yes. A Partner visa sponsor may be barred from sponsoring if they have a criminal history involving:

• Child sex offences

• Domestic violence

• Other serious offences

There are limited exceptions, but these cases are reviewed carefully to protect applicants.

What happens if I don’t disclose past convictions?

Failing to disclose relevant character issues can lead to:

• Having your visa refused due to non-disclosure of character issues

• Future bans on applying for Australian visas

• Potential cancellation of a granted visa

A visa holder who has their visa cancelled may lose their immigration status and could be subject to immigration detention. Visa cancellation decisions can have serious long-term consequences, including restrictions on future visa applications.

Always be honest and provide full disclosure.

Final Thoughts

Meeting the health and character requirements for an Australian visa is essential when applying for a Partner visa. While issues like medical conditions or past convictions can complicate the process, they don’t automatically mean your application will fail, especially if your relationship is genuine and your application is well-prepared.

For further information about health and character requirements, visit the official Department of Home Affairs website or consult their published guidance.

Need Help?

At Via Migration, we’ve helped many couples successfully navigate complex health and character issues. If you are facing complex health or character issues, seek assistance from a registered migration agent or obtain independent legal advice to ensure you receive the right guidance for your situation. If you have a medical condition or criminal history, book a consultation with a registered migration agent to understand your options.