Australia's Migration Health Requirement Review: Where Things Stand

The Australian Government commissioned a formal review of the Migration Health Requirement (MHR), examining how health conditions are assessed for visa applicants and how the Significant Cost Threshold (SCT) operates. As of the March 2025 quarterly meeting between the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) and the Department of Home Affairs, 6 of the 11 recommended reforms have been implemented, while 5 remain in progress.

This article outlines what has changed, what is still pending, and how these reforms may affect your visa application.

What Is the Migration Health Requirement?

The Migration Health Requirement is a criterion that most visa applicants must satisfy. It assesses whether an applicant's health condition could result in significant costs to the Australian community or prejudice access to health services for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Central to this assessment is the Significant Cost Threshold, a dollar figure used to determine whether a person's projected healthcare or community service costs would be considered too high for their visa to be granted.

The 6 Reforms Already Implemented

The following reforms have been confirmed as implemented following the review:

1. Increase to the Significant Cost Threshold. The SCT has been raised, meaning a higher cost projection is now required before a health requirement is failed. This directly reduces the number of applicants affected by this criterion.
2. Revised methodology for calculating projected healthcare costs, with updated actuarial data applied.
3. Improved transparency in the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) assessment process.
4. Streamlined internal review procedures for health-related visa refusals.
5. Updated guidance for applicants and sponsors on how health assessments are conducted.
6. Enhanced training for departmental staff handling health-related cases.

The increase to the SCT is the most practically significant of these changes. A higher threshold means that applicants whose conditions were previously assessed as exceeding the cost limit may now satisfy the health requirement without needing a waiver.

The 5 Recommendations Still Pending

Five recommendations from the review have not yet been implemented. These include reforms to the health waiver process, which allows applicants who do not meet the health requirement to seek an exemption on compassionate or other grounds. The waiver framework is still under active consideration by the Department of Home Affairs.

Other pending matters relate to how certain chronic conditions are assessed over the projected period, and whether additional categories of applicants should be eligible for exemptions without a full waiver application.

No confirmed implementation timeline has been published for these remaining reforms as of the date of the MIA-Home Affairs quarterly meeting on 25 March 2026.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

These reforms are relevant to any visa applicant who has a medical condition that may be assessed under the health requirement. This commonly includes applicants with:

• Chronic conditions requiring ongoing medication or specialist care
• Disabilities that may require community support services
• Children or secondary applicants with significant health needs

Applicants for permanent visas, including skilled, employer sponsored, partner, and parent visas, are subject to the health requirement and may be impacted by both the implemented and pending reforms.

Practical Steps for Applicants

1. Check whether the updated SCT applies to your circumstances. If a previous visa application was refused on health grounds, the raised threshold may change your outcome if you reapply.
2. Do not assume a waiver is unnecessary. While the SCT increase helps some applicants, those with higher projected costs still need to consider whether a waiver application is appropriate.
3. Monitor updates on the pending reforms. The waiver process reforms, once finalised, may significantly alter how health-related refusals are handled.
4. Obtain legal advice before reapplying. If your visa was previously refused on health grounds, a migration lawyer can assess whether the updated framework changes your position.

Key Takeaways

• 6 of 11 migration health requirement reforms have been implemented, including a higher Significant Cost Threshold.
• 5 recommendations remain pending, including changes to the health waiver process.
• A higher SCT means some applicants who previously failed the health requirement may now satisfy it.
• No implementation timeline has been confirmed for the remaining 5 reforms.
• Applicants with health conditions should seek legal advice before lodging or relodging a visa application.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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