1. The 12-Month Validity Rule

In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs generally considers health clearances to be “fresh” for one year.

• Scenario A: If you did your medical in June 2025 and apply for your 485 in April 2026, your results are still within the 12-month window.
• Scenario B: If you did your medical in January 2025, it has already expired. You will need a new HAP ID and a fresh appointment.

2. How to Check if Your Results Are Still Active

The most reliable way to know is through your ImmiAccount:

1. Open your lodged 485 application.
2. Go to the “View health assessment” tab.
3. If the status says “Health clearances provided – no action required,” the Department has successfully linked your old results.
4. If the status says “Examinations required,” the system has determined your old results are expired or insufficient for the 485 visa stream.

3. Why Some Students Still Need a New Exam

Even if your medical was within the last 12 months, you might be asked for a new one if:

• The Visa Stream is Different: Some graduate streams have slightly different health criteria than student visas (though 500 to 485 is usually consistent).
• Changes in Health: If you have declared a new medical condition since your last application.
• High-Risk Travel: If you have spent more than 3 consecutive months in a country with a high risk of Tuberculosis (TB) since your last medical exam.
• Occupation-Specific Tests: If your 485 visa involves working in healthcare or with children, you may need additional blood tests (like Hepatitis B or C) that weren’t required for your student visa.

4. 2026 Cost Warning

Medical exams in 2026 through Bupa Medical Visa Services cost approximately $400 AUD.

• The “Expiry Risk”: If your results expire while your 485 application is being processed (which can take several months), the Case Officer will request a new one before granting the visa.
• Strategy: If your medical is 10 or 11 months old, it is often safer to do a fresh one rather than risking a “Request for Information” (RFI) that could pause your application for weeks.