Form 815 Health Undertaking: What It Means for Your Australian Visa?
What is Form 815?
Form 815, also known as a Health Undertaking, is a Department of Home Affairs form used in Australian visa applications where an applicant is required to agree to health follow-up after arriving in Australia or after their visa is granted.
Being asked to sign Form 815 does not automatically mean your visa will be refused. In many cases, it means the Department is prepared to continue processing or grant the visa, provided you agree to attend follow-up health checks in Australia.
A health undertaking is commonly requested where a visa applicant’s health examination shows exposure to tuberculosis or another health condition that requires monitoring, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV or leprosy.
At Emigrate Lawyers, we assist visa applicants who have received health-related requests from the Department of Home Affairs, including Form 815 health undertakings, health waivers, medical examination issues and complex visa health concerns.
Why has the Department asked me to sign Form 815?
The Department may ask you to sign Form 815 if your immigration medical examination shows that you may require further health monitoring in Australia.
The most common reason is a tuberculosis-related finding. For example, you may not have active tuberculosis, but your medical results may show previous exposure or a risk factor that requires follow-up after arrival.
You may also be asked to sign Form 815 because of another health condition of concern. The purpose is to ensure that you attend a health authority clinic in Australia and complete any follow-up examination, investigation or treatment recommended by the clinic.
This is part of Australia’s visa health requirement process and is intended to protect you, your family and the Australian community.
Does signing Form 815 mean my visa will be granted?
Signing Form 815 does not, by itself, guarantee that your visa will be granted. However, if the Department has requested a health undertaking, it usually means the Department wants you to formally agree to future health monitoring as part of the visa process.
Your visa application will still need to satisfy all other requirements, including identity, character, genuine temporary entrant or genuine student criteria where applicable, relationship criteria, skills criteria, financial requirements or any other criteria relevant to your visa subclass.
If you have received Form 815 and are unsure whether there are other issues affecting your visa, it is important to get advice before responding to the Department.
Who needs to sign Form 815?
The visa applicant who has been asked to provide the health undertaking must sign Form 815.
If the applicant is under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian should sign the form on behalf of the child.
The form asks for personal details, passport details, Australian contact details, travel plans, interpreter needs and confirmation that you understand and accept the health undertaking obligations.
What do I agree to when I sign Form 815?
When you sign Form 815, you agree to comply with the health undertaking requirements. This generally includes agreeing to:
- contact the Health Undertaking Service within the required timeframe;
- attend the health clinic you are referred to;
- place yourself under the professional supervision of the clinic;
- complete any required treatment, chest x-ray, examination or investigation;
- inform the clinic if you change your address in Australia;
- inform the clinic if you are leaving Australia and report again when you return; and
- if you applied from outside Australia, update the Australian Visa Office if your contact details change before departure.
You also consent to the Department, state and territory health authorities and the relevant health clinic sharing health information for the purpose of monitoring the undertaking.
When must I contact the Health Undertaking Service?
The timeframe depends on where your health examination was completed and where your visa was granted.
If you completed your health examinations outside Australia, you must contact the Health Undertaking Service after you arrive in Australia and make an appointment within 4 weeks of arrival.
Register your details with the Health Undertaking Service within 4 weeks after your visa grant if you received your visa in Australia.
It is important not to ignore this requirement. Even if you feel well, you must still comply with the undertaking.
What happens after I arrive in Australia?
After you arrive in Australia, you should contact the Health Undertaking Service and follow the instructions given to you. You may be referred to a health clinic or public health authority for assessment.
The clinic may arrange a health check, chest x-ray, further testing or treatment depending on your circumstances. For tuberculosis-related matters, the purpose is to ensure there is no active disease and to monitor your health appropriately.
In many cases, the initial health check is provided through the public health system. You should keep a copy of your signed Form 815 and any correspondence from the Department, as you may need it when contacting the Health Undertaking Service.
Will my visa be cancelled if my health condition changes?
A change in your health condition does not automatically cancel your visa. The Department’s own Form 815 information explains that if your condition changes, your visa is not at risk simply because of that change.
However, you must comply with your health undertaking. The key issue is whether you attend the relevant health clinic and follow the required monitoring, treatment or investigation process.
If you are concerned because your health condition has changed, you should seek legal advice before making assumptions about your visa status.
What happens if I do not comply with Form 815?
Failing to comply with a health undertaking can create immigration problems. Form 815 is an agreement with the Australian Government. If you do not contact the Health Undertaking Service, fail to attend the clinic, or ignore follow-up requirements, this may affect future dealings with the Department.
Non-compliance may become relevant in later visa applications, future health assessments or immigration history considerations.
If you forgot to contact the Health Undertaking Service within the required timeframe, you should act quickly. Do not wait until the Department raises the issue. Contact the Health Undertaking Service as soon as possible and seek advice if you are unsure how to explain the delay.
Do I need a lawyer for Form 815?
Not every applicant needs a lawyer simply to sign Form 815. However, you should consider getting professional advice if:
- you do not understand why the Department requested Form 815;
- you worry your medical condition may affect your visa;
- you have also received a health waiver request;
- the Department has asked for further information about your health;
- you missed the Health Undertaking Service deadline;
- you are applying for a permanent visa;
- you have dependants included in your application;
- you have a complex medical history;
- you are concerned about visa refusal or cancellation; or
- you want a migration lawyer to review your Department request before you respond.
Health issues in visa applications can be technical. A simple misunderstanding can cause unnecessary stress or delay.
Common mistakes applicants make with Form 815
Many applicants make avoidable mistakes when dealing with Form 815. These include signing the form without understanding the obligation, failing to keep a copy, not contacting the Health Undertaking Service within 4 weeks, ignoring follow-up appointments, changing address without informing the clinic, or assuming that the undertaking is optional.
Another common mistake is panicking and thinking Form 815 means the Department will refuse your visa.
In many cases, the Department is giving the applicant a pathway to satisfy the health requirement through post-arrival monitoring.
The best approach is to respond carefully, keep records and comply with the undertaking.
Form 815 and tuberculosis: what visa applicants should know
Tuberculosis often requires a health undertaking. Australia takes tuberculosis seriously because it is an infectious disease of public concern.
If your medical examination suggests previous exposure or risk factors, the Department may request Form 815 even if you do not have active tuberculosis at the time of assessment.
This does not punish you or automatically refuse your visa. It means the Department wants to ensure you receive appropriate follow-up health checks in Australia.
Form 815 for students, partners, skilled workers and family visa applicants
Form 815 applies across different visa categories, including student, partner, skilled, employer-sponsored, visitor, and family visas.
Your visa subclass, medical history, and any health waiver or health requirement issue can affect how Form 815 applies to you.
For example, a temporary visa applicant may be dealing with different health criteria compared with a permanent visa applicant. A partner visa applicant with a health issue may also require a different legal strategy compared with a student visa applicant.
If you are unsure how Form 815 affects your specific visa, speak with a qualified immigration lawyer before responding.
How Emigrate Lawyers can help with Form 815?
Emigrate Lawyers assists clients with Australian visa health issues, including Form 815 health undertakings and Department of Home Affairs medical requests.
We can help you:
- understand what the Department is asking for;
- review your Form 815 request;
- explain your obligations after signing the form;
- prepare a response to the Department;
- advise on health waiver issues;
- assist where there has been delay or non-compliance;
- help with complex visa health concerns; and
- guide you through the next steps in your visa application.
If you have received Form 815, do not ignore it. A timely and accurate response can help avoid unnecessary delay in your visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Form 815
What is Form 815 in Australia?
Form 815 is a Health Undertaking form used by the Department of Home Affairs. It requires a visa applicant to agree to health follow-up in Australia after arrival or after visa grant.
Why did I receive Form 815?
You may receive Form 815 if your immigration health examination shows exposure to tuberculosis or another health condition that requires monitoring in Australia.
Is Form 815 a visa refusal?
No. Form 815 is not a visa refusal. It is a health undertaking. However, you must comply with the undertaking and satisfy all other visa requirements.
Do I need to contact the Health Undertaking Service?
Yes. If you completed your health examinations outside Australia, you must contact the Health Undertaking Service within 4 weeks of arriving in Australia. Register your details within 4 weeks after your visa grant if you received your visa in Australia.
What if I forgot to contact the Health Undertaking Service?
You should act quickly and contact the Health Undertaking Service as soon as possible.
Can Form 815 cancel my visa?
Signing Form 815 will not cancel your visa. However, failing to comply with your health undertaking may create immigration issues, especially in future visa applications.
Can Emigrate Lawyers help with Form 815?
Yes. Emigrate Lawyers can review your Form 815 request, explain your obligations and advise you on any related visa health issues.
Need help with Form 815?
If the Department of Home Affairs has asked you to sign Form 815 Health Undertaking, Emigrate Lawyers can help you understand what it means and what you should do next.
Contact Emigrate Lawyers today for advice about your visa health undertaking, health waiver, medical examination issue or Department request.
Call Emigrate Lawyers or book a consultation online today.
