Health requirements and panel physicians

Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world. To maintain these standards, most visa applicants are required to meet certain minimum health standards in order to be granted a visa. We refer to this as meeting 'the health requirement'.

For information on meeting the health requirement visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

See the department's list of office locations to find information on panel physicians in your location that have been approved to perform medical examinations on visa applicants outside Australia.

Character requirements

Everyone who wants to enter Australia must be of good character and will be assessed against the character requirements. Applicants must declare all recorded offences to us. If you do not declare an offence and we become aware of this it might have a negative impact on your application.

For information on how character is assessed, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

If requested, you must provide a police certificate from each country where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years, since turning 16 years of age.

Applicants currently living in the United States may be requested to obtain both a State-wide police clearance from each State of residence in the USA during the last 12 months AND an FBI clearance in their current name and any other name they are known by or have previously been known by.

If applicable, you must also provide:

  • court papers listing the outcomes and dispositions of any charges listed on the FBI clearance, US State police clearance, or other police certificates/clearances
  • any document(s) associated with your arrest, time served and release documents
  • a written statement from you detailing each arrest/offence/conviction.

Obtaining an FBI clearance (US citizens and permanent residents)

US citizens and permanent residents can apply directly to the FBI or to one of four department approved channelers listed below to obtain an Identity History Summary Check.

Approved channelers:

Obtaining an FBI clearance (US temporary residents and visitors)

US temporary residents and visitors can apply directly to the FBI to obtain an Identity History Summary Check.

Obtaining a state police clearance

Apply to the relevant state police department. Please ensure the clearance is requested for all names you have been known by.

The type of certificate issued depends on individual state procedures.

Biometrics

The Australian Government has incorporated the collection of biometrics into the visa application process outside Australia.

Applicants lodging visa applications in selected locations, regardless of nationality, may be requested to attend an AVAC or an ABCC in person to lodge their application and/or provide their biometrics.

For more information on biometrics and collection of biometrics, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.