Medical Treatment visa
Travel to Australia for medical treatment or to support someone who is.
What this visa is for#
The Australian Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) is a visitor visa in the Medical stream. It is for travel to Australia for medical treatment or to support someone who is.
This visa is used in situations where a person needs to come to Australia for medical care, consultations or related treatment. It can also cover a person who needs to travel with, or stay with, someone receiving treatment.
It sits in the visitor category, so it is not a work visa or a permanent visa. The main purpose of the stay is the medical treatment or the support connected to that treatment.
The conditions and length of stay can vary from case to case. The Department of Home Affairs may ask for medical evidence, proof of arrangements for treatment, and information about how the stay will be funded.
Who it is generally for#
This visa is for people who need to come to Australia for medical treatment. That can include treatment, consultations, medical assessment, organ donation support, or other health-related care arranged in Australia.
This visa is for people who need to travel to Australia to support a person receiving medical treatment. That can include a carer, close family member or another support person where their role is tied to the treatment stay.
This visa is also used in some cases for people affected by specific medical or compassionate circumstances that require a temporary stay connected to treatment. The exact evidence needed depends on the reason for travel and the person’s situation.
Because this is a visitor visa in the Medical stream, the focus is on the medical purpose of the stay. The Department usually looks for documents that show why the treatment is needed, where it will happen, how long it is expected to take and who will cover the costs.
What it costs#
The government visa application charge for the Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) is:
- Main applicant: $395
- Additional applicant 18 or over: $395
- Additional applicant under 18: $395
This is the government charge for the application itself. A registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner may also charge a separate professional fee for preparing, lodging and managing the application.
The government charge is the same no matter who lodges it, whether that is the applicant, a registered migration agent or a lawyer. Professional fees are separate and can vary depending on the work involved, the urgency, the number of applicants and the complexity of the documents.
Visa charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, it is sensible to check the current Department fee and any professional fee in writing.
There can also be other out-of-pocket costs linked to the application process, such as translating documents, getting certified copies, obtaining medical records or arranging health examinations if the Department asks for them. These are not part of the visa application charge.
How long it takes#
Processing times for the subclass 602 can vary a lot. The time can depend on how complete the application is, whether the Department needs more information, where the applicant is located, and whether health or identity checks are needed.
A decision can take longer if medical documents are missing, unclear or inconsistent. It can also take longer if passports are close to expiry, if family members are included late, or if the Department needs extra documents from hospitals, doctors or overseas authorities.
The Department publishes processing information, but those figures change over time. They are only general indicators, not a promise that a particular application will be decided within that period.
Applications connected to urgent treatment may still require supporting documents before a decision is made. Urgency on its own does not remove the need for evidence.
What the process involves#
The process usually starts with gathering documents that explain the medical reason for travel. That often includes a letter from the treating doctor or hospital in Australia, details of the treatment or consultation, expected dates, and information about costs and payment arrangements.
Identity documents are also needed. This usually includes passport biodata pages, recent photographs if requested, and civil documents for any family members included in the application.
If the application includes a support person, the relationship and support role usually need to be documented. That can include birth certificates, marriage certificates, evidence of dependency or records showing why the support person is needed during treatment.
The application is then lodged with the Department of Home Affairs, usually online where available. The Department may issue requests for more information after lodgement, and those requests often come with a deadline.
After lodgement, the Department may ask for health examinations, police checks or further medical records. It may also ask for evidence of funds, proof of accommodation, return travel plans or an explanation of the proposed stay.
If a person is in Australia when a valid application is lodged, a bridging visa may come into effect depending on the circumstances. A bridging visa is temporary and only keeps a person lawful while the new application is processed. Its conditions can be very different from the previous substantive visa.
At the end of the process, the Department gives a written decision. The grant notice sets out the visa period, the conditions and the date the holder must leave Australia, if relevant.
What commonly goes wrong#
A very common problem is incomplete evidence. Applications are often delayed when the medical letter does not say what the treatment is, where it will happen, how long it is expected to take, or who will pay for it.
Another common issue is uploading documents that are hard to read, cut off, untranslated or inconsistent. A passport scan with missing edges, a doctor’s letter with no signature, or different spellings of a name across documents can all create delays.
Documents can also expire during processing. Passports, police checks, health examinations and some supporting letters have practical shelf lives, and if they expire mid-process the Department may ask for updated versions.
People sometimes forget to tell the Department about a change of address, email or phone number. That can lead to missed deadlines for requests for information, and missing a deadline can affect the outcome of the application.
Family composition changes can cause trouble too. If there is a marriage, separation, birth of a child or a decision to include or remove someone from the application, the Department needs to be told promptly.
Another practical problem is assuming a bridging visa carries the same rights as the last substantive visa. It may not. Work rights, travel rights and reporting obligations can be different, so the visa grant notice and any bridging visa notice need to be read carefully.
Applications can also stall when treatment arrangements in Australia are vague. If there is no clear booking, no treating facility identified, or no evidence of how costs will be met, the Department may need more information before it can decide the application.
Late responses are another frequent issue. If the Department asks for more documents, the response usually needs to be complete and on time. Sending part of the material and promising the rest later can still create delays.
Frequently asked questions#
What is the Medical Treatment visa subclass 602 used for?#
The subclass 602 is a visitor visa in the Medical stream. It is used for travel to Australia for medical treatment or to support someone who is. The medical purpose of the stay is the key feature of the visa.
Can a family member travel to Australia to support someone having treatment?#
This visa can cover a person travelling to support someone who is receiving medical treatment in Australia. The application usually needs documents showing the relationship and the reason that support is needed during the stay. The Department may also ask for evidence of treatment arrangements and funding.
How much is the government fee for a 602 visa?#
The government charge is $395 for the main applicant. It is also $395 for each additional applicant 18 or over, and $395 for each additional applicant under 18. This government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application.
How long does a Medical Treatment visa take to process?#
There is no single fixed processing time. Timing depends on the completeness of the application, the quality of the medical evidence, whether extra checks are needed and how quickly any Department requests are answered. Published processing times are only general guides.
Can a person stay in Australia while waiting for a 602 visa decision?#
In some cases, a bridging visa may come into effect after a valid onshore application is lodged. A bridging visa only keeps a person lawful while the new application is being processed, and its conditions can differ from the previous visa. The grant notice and any bridging visa notice set out the actual conditions.
About this page. This is general information about how the Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA kaydı.