Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602): Who It's For and How to Apply
Updated: 16 August 2026
Australia's visa for people travelling specifically for medical care is the Medical Treatment visa, subclass 602 — often searched for as a "medical stream" of the Subclass 600 visitor visa, which doesn't exist. The 602 is free if you apply from outside Australia and $480 if you apply onshore, and it's built around one document: a treatment letter from an Australian practitioner.
One clarification before anything else, because it causes real confusion: the Subclass 600 visitor visa has Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family and Frequent Traveller streams — no medical stream. Incidental medical care (a check-up, a dental appointment) is a permitted activity on an ordinary visitor visa or ETA. But when treatment is the reason for the trip, the 602 is the visa designed for it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 602 (Medical Treatment) |
| Cost | Free if applying from outside Australia; $480 onshore (limited concessions apply) |
| Maximum stay | Tied to your treatment plan — the visa lasts while treatment runs |
| Entries | Single or multiple, depending on your situation |
| Work rights | No |
| Study | Up to 3 months (longer only with an exemption) |
| Apply from | Outside or inside Australia |
| Health insurance | Strongly recommended — Medicare does not cover visitors |
Who the Subclass 602 Is For
The Medical Treatment visa covers people who need to enter or remain in Australia for medical purposes:
- Patients travelling for medical treatment or consultation — specialist care, surgery, or treatment not available at home
- People donating an organ, where the transplant takes place in Australia
- Support persons — a family member or carer accompanying someone who holds this visa for treatment or organ donation
- Patients needing follow-up treatment from previous medical care in Australia
It's also the visa people switch to when they're already in Australia on a visitor visa and a medical situation means they need to stay for treatment.
Evidence Requirements
The Department needs to be satisfied that your treatment is genuine, that you can pay for it, and that you'll leave Australia when it's done.
Treatment Letter
The most important document is a letter from an Australian registered medical practitioner or hospital. This letter should include:
- Your diagnosis or condition requiring treatment
- The specific treatment proposed
- The expected duration of treatment
- The estimated cost of treatment
- The treating doctor's name, qualifications, and registration number
- Confirmation that the Australian practitioner or facility has agreed to treat you
If you haven't yet seen an Australian doctor, a referral letter from your home-country doctor explaining why treatment in Australia is necessary can support your initial application. You'll still need the Australian treatment letter — some applicants obtain one from a preliminary teleconsultation.
Financial Evidence
Medical treatment in Australia is expensive, and the Department wants assurance that you can cover all costs without becoming a burden on the Australian healthcare system. You'll need to show:
Medical costs: Evidence of the estimated treatment cost and proof you can cover it. This might be bank statements, a letter of financial support, medical insurance covering the treatment, or evidence of government funding from your home country.
Living expenses: Sufficient funds for accommodation, food, and daily living during your stay. Budget $2,500–$5,000 per month depending on the city.
Return travel: Evidence of funds for return flights, or a booked return ticket.
Support person costs: If a carer or family member is accompanying you, include evidence of their financial coverage as well.
Health Insurance
While not a formal visa condition, the Department strongly recommends health insurance. Australia's public health system (Medicare) does not cover overseas visitors except citizens of a handful of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Private health insurance that covers your specific treatment, plus any unexpected medical issues, can significantly strengthen your application. Some Australian hospitals require proof of insurance or upfront payment before committing to treat international patients.
How to Apply
From Outside Australia
- Arrange your treatment first. Contact the Australian hospital or specialist, confirm they can treat you, and obtain the treatment letter.
- Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Select the Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602).
- Complete the application with your personal details, medical information, and treatment details.
- Upload documents: passport, treatment letter, financial evidence, health insurance, and any supporting medical records.
- Submit. There is no visa application charge when you apply from outside Australia.
From Inside Australia
If you're already in Australia on another visa and need to switch to the Medical Treatment visa, you can apply onshore — provided your current visa doesn't carry Condition 8503 ("no further stay"). This commonly happens when someone arrives on a tourist visa and then discovers they need medical treatment. The onshore application charge is $480, with concessions in limited circumstances.
A Bridging Visa A is automatically associated with your record when you lodge the onshore application, keeping you lawful while the application is processed.
Stay Period and Extensions
The stay is tied to your treatment plan — the visa is granted to cover the treatment period your Australian practitioner describes, and it remains in effect while that treatment runs.
If your treatment takes longer than originally planned — complications, additional procedures, or recovery time — you can apply again from within Australia with an updated treatment letter from your doctor explaining why the additional time is required. A documented, ongoing medical need is exactly what this visa exists for, so a genuine continuation case is well understood by the Department.
Support Persons
If you're accompanying a patient as their carer, your application should include:
- A letter from the patient's treating doctor confirming you're needed as a support person
- Evidence of your relationship to the patient (spouse, parent, sibling, etc.)
- Your own financial evidence
- Confirmation that you understand the visa conditions (including no work rights)
Support persons apply for the same subclass 602 and are tied to the patient's treatment period. If the patient needs longer, the support person applies to match.
Costs of Medical Treatment in Australia
Australia offers world-class medical care, but international patient costs can be substantial.
| Treatment Type | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Specialist consultation | $300 – $800 |
| MRI/CT scan | $500 – $2,000 |
| Minor surgery (day procedure) | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Major surgery (hospital stay) | $20,000 – $100,000+ |
| Cancer treatment (per cycle) | $5,000 – $50,000 |
| Cardiac surgery | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Organ transplant | $100,000 – $500,000+ |
These are indicative only. Get a detailed cost estimate from your treating hospital before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a medical stream of the Subclass 600 visitor visa?
No. The Subclass 600's streams are Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family and Frequent Traveller. Travel where medical treatment is the purpose of the trip runs on the Medical Treatment visa, subclass 602. Minor incidental care during an ordinary visit is permitted on a visitor visa or ETA.
How much does the Medical Treatment visa cost?
Nothing, if you apply from outside Australia — the subclass 602 has no visa application charge for offshore applications. Applying from inside Australia costs $480, with concessions in limited circumstances.
Can I access Medicare on a Medical Treatment visa?
No. Medical Treatment visa holders are not eligible for Medicare. You're responsible for all medical costs. Citizens of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements (UK, Ireland, NZ, and some others) have limited Medicare access, but this covers emergency treatment only — not the planned treatment you're visiting for.
Can my family come with me?
A family member or carer can apply for their own subclass 602 as a support person, with a doctor's letter confirming their role. Family who are simply visiting alongside you would use an ordinary visitor visa instead. Separate applications either way.
What if I can't afford the treatment?
The Department may refuse your visa if you can't demonstrate sufficient financial capacity. Some options include medical insurance, home-country government support, or sponsorship by an Australian organisation.
Is dental treatment covered under this visa?
Yes. Dental treatment counts as medical treatment for the subclass 602. You'll need a letter from an Australian registered dentist outlining your treatment plan and estimated costs.
