If you have lodged your visa in 2026 and your main status is “Received” but your health assessment shows “Not Started,” don’t panic. This is a common “limbo” phase where the Department’s automated systems are waiting for human or strategic triggers.
1. What This Status Combination Means
In 2026, the status “Received” simply confirms that your application and payment have been successfully processed. The “Not Started” status for health means that the system has not yet generated a HAP ID or linked any existing medical results to this specific application.
The 3 Most Common Reasons:
- The 48-Hour Sync: Immediately after lodgement, the “Health Assessment” tab can take up to 48 hours to update. The system is still running automated checks against your travel history to determine which tests you need.
- Case Officer Queue: For many visa streams (like the 143 Parent or 189 Skilled), health checks are suppressed until a Case Officer actually opens your file to prevent the 12-month medical validity from expiring too early.
- Strategic Suppression: In 2026, the Department often delays health triggers for high-backlog visas so you don’t waste $400 on a medical that will expire before they reach your application.
2. How to “Trigger” the Health Assessment
If you want to be “decision-ready” and don’t want to wait for an S56 request, you can usually force the system to start the process:
- Click “View Health Assessment”: This link is found inside your application dashboard in ImmiAccount.
- Look for “Organise Health Examinations”: If this link is visible, click it.
- Complete the Health Declaration: You will be asked about your medical history. Once you click ‘Submit,’ the status will change from “Not Started” to “Required” or “Organise examinations.”
- Download the Referral Letter: This will contain your HAP ID, which you need to book your appointment.
3. When You Should NOT Start the Health Check
While it’s tempting to move everything to “Started,” 2026 migration experts suggest waiting if:
- Your visa takes >12 months: If you do the medical now and the visa takes 14 months, you will have to pay for a repeat medical (another $400+).
- You’ve had a medical recently: If you had a medical in the last 10 months for a different visa, wait for the Department to manually link it.
4. Status Transition Cheat Sheet (2026)
| Current Status | Next Status | What it Means |
| Not Started | Organise Access | The system is ready; you need to click the link. |
| Not Started | Received | Your eMedical results have been uploaded by the clinic. |
| Not Started | Health Clearance Provided | The Department has cleared you (often automatically). |
5. Summary: The 2026 “Action Plan”
- Day 1-2: Do nothing. Wait for the system to sync.
- Day 3: Check the “Health Assessment” tab. If “Organise Health Examinations” is there, generate your HAP ID.
- If the link is missing: It means a Case Officer must manually trigger it. You cannot “start” it yourself; you must wait for a formal request.
