Partner Visa Medical Expired While Processing: Will You Need Another Health Examination?

Australian immigration health examination results are generally valid for 12 months. If your Partner Visa application is still processing after that period, you may be asked to complete another medical examination—but you should not automatically book and pay for a repeat examination unless Home Affairs tells you to do so or your case requires it.

This article focuses on expired medicals during 820/801 and 309/100 processing. For health-waiver issues, see our separate Partner Visa health waiver guide.

How long are visa medical results valid?

Home Affairs states that health assessment results are generally valid for 12 months from the date the examinations are completed. A health undertaking, where required, has a different validity period.

Does expiry mean your Partner Visa will be refused?

No. Expiry of the health results during processing does not itself mean the application fails. Home Affairs decides whether a fresh examination is needed and will usually notify the applicant if further health examinations are required.

Should you redo the medical before Home Affairs asks?

Usually, do not rush to repeat the medical solely because 12 months have passed. The Department specifically says it will let applicants know if examinations need to be done again. Repeating medicals prematurely can create unnecessary cost and may not accelerate the application.

What if Home Affairs sends a new health request?

Follow the instructions in the request and use the current HAP ID or health process provided through ImmiAccount. If there is a genuine medical reason why an examination cannot be completed within the requested period, address that promptly rather than ignoring the request.

Could additional tests be requested even before 12 months?

Yes. Depending on the original examination and any medical findings, the Department can request further health examinations or refer the case for assessment by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth. That is different from a routine expiry issue.

Illustrative case example: medical expires during 309 processing

Composite example: A 309 applicant completed the medical soon after lodgement, but the visa remained pending beyond 12 months. The applicant considered booking another full examination independently. Instead, the case was monitored until Home Affairs issued a fresh health requirement. The repeat examination was then completed using the correct current health referral.

Practical checklist

• Check the date the original medical was completed.
• Monitor ImmiAccount and email for a new health request.
• Do not assume expiry equals refusal.
• Do not book repeat examinations unnecessarily.
• Respond quickly if Home Affairs requests additional or repeat testing.

Home Affairs confirms the 12-month validity period in its health examination guidance. For Partner Visa assistance, see our Partner Visa hub.

General information only. Health requirements can differ depending on the applicant’s medical history and the Department’s current request.