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What the Subclass 602 Visa Allows

Depending on the application, this visa may allow you to:

Receive medical treatment or attend a medical consultation in Australia
Donate an organ to a person in Australia
Receive an organ from a donor travelling with you
Support a patient or organ donor who holds a subclass 602 visa
Travel under the relevant medical arrangements between the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and Queensland Health

The visa is temporary. It does not provide a permanent migration pathway and it cannot be used for medical treatment connected with surrogate motherhood.

At a Glance

Key information about the Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602).

Topic Current Position
Length of stay Decided case by case, taking the treatment plan and individual circumstances into account
Where to apply In or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance
Location at decision If you applied in Australia, you must be in Australia at grant; if you applied outside Australia, you must be outside Australia at grant
Work Generally not permitted, except in limited circumstances; check the grant letter and VEVO
Study Up to three months, or longer only where the exemption criteria are met
Travel Single or multiple entry may be granted, depending on the case
Visa charge Free when applying outside Australia; an onshore charge may apply, subject to limited concessions
Staying longer The visa itself cannot be extended; a new visa application is required if more time is needed

Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for the charge that applies on the day of lodgement. Health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, treatment and insurance can involve separate costs.

Who May Be Eligible?

You may fit one of the subclass 602 pathways if you genuinely intend to stay temporarily for an approved medical purpose and can provide the supporting arrangements. Home Affairs also considers whether you:

Have confirmed treatment, consultation or organ-donation arrangements

Have access to enough money for travel, treatment and living costs

Have arranged payment for the proposed treatment so it will not be a cost to an Australian government or public authority, unless an exception applies

Meet the applicable health and character requirements

Do not have a condition that could threaten public health or endanger the Australian community

Have paid, or arranged to repay, debts to the Australian Government where required

Intend to comply with the activities and conditions permitted by the visa

A separate, narrow pathway may apply to a person who is in Australia, is at least 50 years old, has been refused a permanent visa on health grounds only and is medically unfit to depart. Different requirements apply to that situation.

Evidence for Medical Treatment or Consultation

The evidence must explain what is planned, not simply say that treatment is required. A letter from the treating doctor in Australia should set out:

The medical condition

The treatment or consultation required

The estimated treatment period

The estimated cost

In most cases, written confirmation from the hospital or treatment provider should show that the treatment has been accepted and the payment arrangements cover the costs. An applicant lodging in Australia without a substantive visa may also need Form 1507, Evidence of intended medical treatment.

Other documents may include identity records, financial evidence, details of accommodation and living arrangements, evidence for a support person, and any health, character or biometric material requested through ImmiAccount. Documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation that meets Home Affairs requirements.

Support persons and accompanying family

A family member or friend may apply as a support person where the patient or organ donor holds, or is applying for, a subclass 602 visa. Each support person generally makes a separate application unless included in the same passport. Home Affairs can process linked applications together, but the patient's or donor's visa must be granted before the support person's visa can be granted. The support person should explain why their presence is needed and show how their own travel and living costs will be covered. Being related to the patient does not by itself establish eligibility.

Applying in or outside Australia

You can apply in Australia or overseas, but your location when the visa is decided must match where you lodged. Already in Australia? Look at the conditions on your present visa before lodging. Some visas restrict a further onshore application, and you need lawful status during processing. Planning to leave while an onshore application is pending? First confirm what visa lets you remain and whether it lets you return. An application receipt is not a travel authority.

Your approved stay

Do not plan around a fixed 12-month period. Home Affairs sets the period for the individual case and considers the treatment plan. The grant letter and VEVO show the final dates, conditions and whether travel is single or multiple entry. Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa. If treatment takes longer than expected, the current visa cannot simply be extended. You may need to apply for a new visa before the existing one ends, subject to your circumstances and any application restrictions.

Work, study, healthcare and insurance

Work is generally not permitted, although limited exceptions can apply. Always check the conditions recorded in the grant letter and VEVO rather than assuming work rights. Study is usually limited to three months unless the relevant exemption criteria are met. Visa holders are personally responsible for their healthcare costs in Australia. Home Affairs recommends adequate health insurance for unexpected treatment in addition to the planned care.

How Kritin Global Can Assist

Kritin Global's registered migration agent can help you:

Identify the relevant subclass 602 pathway

Prepare and lodge the application

Respond to requests for further information

Prepare the medical, financial and support-person evidence

Check location, visa-condition and lodgement issues

Discuss Your Medical Treatment Visa

Frequently Asked Questions

The subclass 602 is a temporary visa for eligible people seeking medical treatment or consultation in Australia, donating an organ, or supporting a patient or organ donor who holds this visa.

Home Affairs decides the stay period case by case. The treatment plan and individual circumstances are relevant, and the approved dates appear in the grant letter and VEVO.

It can be lodged onshore where the person is permitted to make the application. An onshore applicant also needs to be in Australia at grant. Check the present visa for application restrictions and make sure lawful status is maintained.

Work is generally not allowed, except in limited circumstances. Your individual work conditions should be checked in the visa grant letter and VEVO.

Ordinarily, study is limited to three months. Going beyond that limit depends on meeting an exemption.

A relative or friend may qualify where their role is to support the patient or donor. In most cases that person lodges separately, explaining why their presence is needed and that they meet the visa requirements in their own right.

It is free if you apply outside Australia. A visa application charge may apply if you apply in Australia, with limited concessions available. Check the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging because other costs can also arise.

The existing grant cannot simply be lengthened. Extra time requires a new visa application before the current visa ends, provided another application is available in the person's circumstances.

A treating doctor's letter should explain the condition, proposed treatment or consultation, estimated timeframe and estimated cost. Evidence of the provider's acceptance and the arrangements for paying the treatment costs may also be required.

Disclaimer

This is a general guide to the Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602), not advice for an individual matter. The facts of the case and the rules in force at the relevant time determine eligibility, conditions, charges and processing arrangements. Confirm the current Home Affairs position before an application or trip.

MARN: 2619385

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