Medical Treatment Visa - Australia

Australia is renowned for its high level medical treatment.  Australia has many well equipped and modern hospital facilities including highly qualified medical specialists and practitioners covering a wide range of medical services. 

You may wish to consider Australia to assist with the medical treatment of your family member.  There is an Australian Medical Treatment visa available if certain criteria can be met.

What does the Medical Treatment Visa allow me to do?

If you apply and obtain a Medical Treatment Visa, then the patient (including her / his eligible family members) can travel to Australia and seek out the required medical treatment.

The visa can be granted for up to 12 months depending on the length of treatment required (if you apply for the visa whilst in Australia).  If you apply for the visa while you are outside of Australia, the visa will usually only be valid for a maximum period of 3 months.

The visa permits the patient to undergo medical treatment and attend consultations and to donate or receive an organ.

Part of the application documentation requires the patient (and family members) to demonstrate their financial capacity to support themselves for their proposed stay in Australia because the patient is unable to utilise financial benefits provided to Australian citizens and permanent residents which are by the Australian government.

If you are already in Australia with a valid visa that includes a 'No further stay condition' you will not be able to apply for the Medical Treatment Visa while you are in Australia unless a waiver is sought and obtained.

Children may also receive medical treatment in Australia if the consent of the parent/s is obtained.

Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne can assist you with the Medical Treatment Visa as well as all other Australian visa types.  Please contact us for further information, advice and assistance.

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High Court grants injunction to prevent asylum seeker abortion

The High Court has granted an urgent injunction preventing an abortion being carried out on an asylum seeker from Nauru.

Lawyers for the woman said she had asked for a termination in Australia.


But the court heard that late yesterday, without any notice, she was flown to Papua New Guinea for the procedure.


Her barrister, Ron Merkel, said the actions gave rise to several concerns including questions about the legality of an abortion in Papua New Guinea.


"Not only is her health at risk but she runs a serious risk of committing a criminal offence," he said.


Lawyers for the Commonwealth told the court they opposed the relief, saying it was unnecessary and inappropriate.


The court heard arrangements had been made to ensure all appointments for the woman had been suspended for the time being.


The court was assured there was no immediate issue about the woman undergoing any procedures in Papua New Guinea.


Commonwealth representatives also told the court the woman was not in detention in Nauru but was a refugee on a temporary settlement visa.


That gave rise to questions about whether the woman was in custody and whether she was owed a duty of care by Australian authorities, which was part of the wider case.


Justice Patrick Keane said given the urgency and gravity of the situation for the woman and the fact there appeared to be an arguable case, he would the grant the injunction.


He ordered no steps be taken to bring about the termination or remove the woman from Papua New Guinea to anywhere but Australia.


Justice Keane also noted the issues raised in the case were not to do with the Immigration Act but rather were questions about duty of care.


The parties have agreed the case should be remitted to the Federal Court.


SOURCE: ABC News online

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