What is the Significant Cost Threshold?
Applicant’s for Australian Partner visas must undergo a medical examination.
To be granted the partner visa, the applicant must either:
- pass the medical examination
or
- be granted a ‘waiver’ of the requirement to pass the medical examination, after failing the examination.
Whether or not a person passes the medical examination depends partly on whether or not they have a health condition, the health costs of which (to the Australian Health Care system) would exceed the ‘Significant Cost Threshold’.
The estimated health costs for a condition are generally assessed for a period of 5 years (or 3 years if the applicant is aged 75 years or older).
However, if an applicant has a permanent or ongoing condition with a reasonably predictable course, the health costs will be calculated over the applicant’s remaining life expectancy up to a maximum of 10 years.
How Much is the Significant Cost Threshold?
Previously it was $51,000. Form July 1st 2024, it has been increased to $86,000.
This is a welcome move.
It means that applicants with health conditions that are estimated to cost between $51,000 and $86,000 will now not automatically fail the health examination because the estimated health costs exceed the Significant Cost Threshold.
More detailed information is available here.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to book a consultation for more information about anything mentioned here.
Regards.
Ross McDougall.
Immigration Lawyer & Solicitor.
This information is correct on September 12th, 2024. But keep in mind that immigration law changes from time to time.
