News Update: Migration Amendment (Chest X Ray Requirements) Regulations 2019

Health requirement is required while applicants apply for permanent visas and some temporary visas, as the Australian government wants to make sure those applicants do not pose any potential risk to the Australian community.

The new Migration Amendment (Chest X‑ray Requirements) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) would commence on 1 July 2019 and get rid of the requirement for age-related chest x-rays for applicants for Temporary Protection visa (subclasses 785) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa(Subclass 790).

From the explanatory statement of the amendment, it states that “The Regulation relate to certain unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs). The meaning of ‘unauthorised maritime arrival’ is contained in section 5AA of the Migration Act

. The health care of UMA minors is managed entirely through the Australian public health system, including for those who were born in Australia, and they pose an extremely low health risk to the community. The review recommended that the requirement for age related chest x-rays be removed, and this amendment implements that recommendation.

The amendments apply to applications for Temporary Protection visa (subclasses 785) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790) that are not determined before 2 March 2019 and that are made on or after 2 March 2019.