This is one of the most common questions raised during television interviews: “They have requested a medical again, does this mean it’s almost over?” Dr. Sirous Ahmadi, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0854826), explains exactly what official sources state regarding this: the rule governing re-requested medical examinations is the “12-month validity” rule, not a “proximity to visa grant” rule. Below, you will find the legal framework, potential outcomes following a new medical, and the reality of 309 processing times, based on primary sources.
Short Answer
A repeat request for a medical in a 309 visa application is generally because health assessment results are only valid for 12 months from the date of completion, and if processing takes longer, they must be repeated; this request provides no guaranteed timeframe for the visa grant. Official figures for the Partner (Provisional/Temporary) category show a median of 23 months, and offshore applications are prioritised lower than onshore applications under Ministerial Direction 117. Complete the new medical immediately and within the deadline specified in the Department’s letter.
What the law says
The basis for re-requesting examinations is a simple, published rule by the Department of Home Affairs: health assessment results are valid for 12 months from the date they are completed and if the Department asks you to sign a health undertaking, that undertaking is valid for 6 months (page: “After your health examinations”, updated September 2026). The Department of Home Affairs explicitly warns that if there is a delay in processing your application, you may be required to complete your health examinations again (page: “When to have health examinations”, updated October 2026) and you will be notified if you need to repeat your examinations.
For an application lodged in September 2024 where the medical was completed at that time, the health clearance would have expired around September 2025. Therefore, the Department’s new request is, first and foremost, the natural consequence of the expiration of that 12-month validity. There is no official Department of Home Affairs source stating that a medical is only requested near the decision stage; this perception is an empirical observation of processing patterns and should be understood strictly as such—an observation with no guarantees.
The legal basis for the health requirement itself is Public Interest Criterion 4005 in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations 1994; based on the text of this criterion, if the applicant is in a class of persons specified in the Minister’s document, they must undergo any specified medical assessment and be assessed by a specified person, unless the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth decides otherwise. Furthermore, the current text of criterion 4005 stipulates that the applicant, unless they are an Australian-born minor who is usually resident in Australia, must be free from a disease or condition that would result in significant costs/access issues for health care services.
What happens after a new medical and what are the official figures
The medical is not the end of the road; it is the beginning of a separate assessment. The panel clinic sends the results and recommendations to the Department for assessment, and thereafter, either the health requirement is met or the case is referred for the opinion of a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC); the MOC may request further information or supplementary examinations.
| Subject | Official Rule |
|---|---|
| Validity of medical results | 12 months from the time the examinations are completed |
| Validity of health undertaking | 6 months |
| Notification of repeat examinations | The Department will notify you if repetition is required |
| Potential health assessment outcomes | Requirement met; requirement met subject to signing a health undertaking; or requirement not met |
| If requirement is not met | The visa will not be granted, unless the applicant is an eligible Australian-born child who is usually resident in Australia or a health waiver is available and has been applied |
| Median processing time for Partner (Provisional/Temporary) | 23 months (figures published for August 2026) |
| Prioritisation of partner applications | According to Ministerial Direction 117; highest priority is for family applications lodged while the primary applicant is in Australia and for visas that can be granted onshore; within each priority group, processing is generally in chronological order |
| Updates to figures | Global visa and citizenship processing times are updated monthly and are indicative only |
An important note regarding factors affecting timing: the Department itself clarifies that factors determining speed include the applicant’s responsiveness to requests for further information and the time taken to receive information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements. This means the only variable you truly control is the speed and completeness of your own response.
Regarding the “deadline” for completing examinations: a specific figure such as 28 days is not confirmed as a general rule in primary Department of Home Affairs resources. The valid deadline is the one stated in the body of the request letter and in the messages within your ImmiAccount; that text is the benchmark, not hearsay.
What this means for you
As Dr. Sirous Ahmadi, Registered Migration Agent, explains, the practical message of this letter is clear: your file is active and ongoing, and the Department requires a valid health clearance to make a decision. However, no one—neither an agent nor any official source—can extract an “optimistic” grant date from this letter; because the 23-month figure is a statistical median, not a promise, and the offshore 309 application is processed after onshore applications within the prioritisation structure of Direction 117.
In practice, three things will put you in the best possible position: first, booking the examinations immediately with the same HAP ID and completing them before the letter’s deadline; second, keeping your health records and medical history ready in case the case is referred to an MOC or further tests are requested—as the assessment result could be “met subject to a health undertaking”; third, keeping your relationship documents and contact details updated, so that if the case officer has another simultaneous request, you are not delayed. If you have a specific medical history—treated TB, chronic illness, or a child with care requirements—this is where early legal review, including the feasibility of a waiver if available, holds the most value. Dr. Sirous Ahmadi’s extensive experience in offshore partner cases is exactly what is needed at this stage: managing the response to the Department in a way that ensures no time is wasted on your file.
Sources
- After your health examinations — Department of Home Affairs (updated September 2026)
- When to have health examinations — Department of Home Affairs (updated October 2026)
- Popular questions (Health Examinations and Police Certificates) — Department of Home Affairs
- Visa processing times — Department of Home Affairs (figures for August 2026)
- Extract from the Migration Regulations 1994 — Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4005
- Migration Regulations 1994 — Schedule 4: Public interest criteria and related provisions (AustLII)
Your 309 file is one letter away from a decision; ensure it is answered correctly
If you have received a new medical request and are unsure how the deadline, requested tests, or your medical history affects your application, book a consultation now with the office of Dr. Sirous Ahmadi, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0854826). In this session, we will review the Department’s letter, your health clearance status, medical records, and relationship evidence to provide you with a clear, timed response plan—without promising a date, but ensuring no opportunity in your case is missed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a repeat medical request mean my 309 visa is about to be granted?
No, there is no such rule in official sources. The documented and published reason is that health assessment results are valid for 12 months from the completion of the examinations, and if processing is prolonged, they must be repeated. The perception that a medical is only requested near the decision stage is an empirical observation and carries no guarantee.
How long are medical results valid?
Health assessment results are valid for 12 months from the date the examinations are completed. If the Department asks you to sign a health undertaking, that undertaking is valid for 6 months.
What happens after I complete the new medical?
The panel clinic sends the results and recommendations to the Department for assessment. Then, either the health requirement is met, or the file is referred to a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC); the MOC may request further information or supplementary examinations. The final result can be met, met subject to signing a health undertaking, or not met.
Will the visa be granted if the health requirement is not met?
No. If the health requirement is not met, the visa will not be granted unless the applicant is an eligible Australian-born child who is usually resident in Australia or a health waiver is available and applied.
What is the processing time for a provisional partner visa and why are offshore applications slower?
The Department of Home Affairs has published a median figure of 23 months for the Partner (Provisional/Temporary) category (August 2026 figures, updated monthly). Partner applications are assessed under Ministerial Direction 117, which gives highest priority to family applications lodged while the primary applicant is in Australia and for visas that can be granted onshore; within each priority group, processing is generally done in chronological order.
How many days do I have to complete the examinations?
A specific general figure (e.g., 28 days) is not confirmed as a general rule in primary Department of Home Affairs resources. The valid deadline is the one stated in your request letter and ImmiAccount messages; you must refer to that specific text and book/complete the examinations at the earliest opportunity.
This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on October 28, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.