Every visa applicant in Australia has to meet health requirements. It's a standard part of the process and most people pass without issues. But if your medical examination flags something, you could be looking at a health waiver situation. That's where PIC 4005 and PIC 4007 come in.
The Health Requirement -- Why It Exists
Australia requires visa applicants to be in reasonable health. There are two main reasons. The first is public health. The government wants to make sure incoming migrants don't carry conditions that could spread and affect the broader community. The second is cost. The government assesses whether your health condition could place a significant burden on the Australian healthcare or community services system.
When you do your visa medical, the results go to the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC). If the MOC identifies a concern, they'll issue a health assessment that might say you don't meet the health requirement. That's when the waiver conversation starts.
PIC 4005 -- Public Health Risk
PIC 4005 deals with conditions that are a risk to public health. The most common one is active tuberculosis (TB). If you're diagnosed with active TB during your visa medical, the department will almost certainly ask you to undergo treatment before proceeding with your visa application.
Waivers under PIC 4005 are uncommon because the public health angle is hard to argue around. The department takes a conservative approach here. However, if your TB is successfully treated and follow-up tests are clear, you can proceed with your application. In rare cases, a waiver might be granted if you can show the condition is being actively managed and poses no realistic ongoing risk.
PIC 4007 -- Significant Cost to Australia
PIC 4007 is the one most applicants encounter. It applies when the MOC determines that your health condition would likely result in costs to the Australian community exceeding a threshold over a defined period. As of 2026, that threshold sits around $86,000 over a period that varies depending on your visa type (generally around 5 to 10 years, depending on expected stay).
Common conditions that trigger PIC 4007 include hearing impairment requiring aids or support, intellectual or developmental disabilities requiring ongoing support services, diabetes requiring insulin and monitoring, certain mental health conditions requiring ongoing treatment, and mobility conditions requiring equipment or personal care.
If you get flagged under PIC 4007, the department will send you a letter asking you to provide reasons why the health requirement should be waived despite the estimated cost.
How to Request a Health Waiver
Your waiver response needs to address the specific costs the MOC identified and provide reasons why the visa should be granted anyway. Strong waiver arguments typically include evidence that the costs won't actually be as high as estimated, such as private health insurance covering the treatment or the applicant self-funding their care. Family support is another strong factor, particularly if you have Australian citizen relatives who depend on you. The humanitarian impact of refusal also matters, especially for partner or family visas where separation would cause serious hardship.
Include supporting letters from treating doctors, quotes from private healthcare providers, evidence of insurance coverage, and personal statements from family members about the impact of refusal. Everything should be documented and specific. Vague claims about "managing the condition privately" won't be enough without proof.
Why Timing and Advice Matter
Health waivers have a response deadline, usually 28 days from the date of the letter. If you miss that deadline, the department can decide your application based on what they already have, and that usually means refusal.
If you've been asked to respond to a health concern on your visa application, talk to someone who understands how these waivers work. The best migration agent Adelaide has to offer for health waiver cases will know how to frame the response, what evidence to include, and what common mistakes to avoid. A well-prepared health waiver response can mean the difference between a visa grant and a refusal. Don't leave it to the last minute.