Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Health Undertaking
Have you or someone you know who has recently applied for visa to live in Australia, been asked to complete a Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Health Undertaking?
A Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Health undertaking is an agreement with the Australian Government to meet hepatitis B or hepatitis C health requirements when applying for a visa, primarily for permanent visas.
Since the 1st of July 2024, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs requires people coming from countries with a high risk of hepatitis B to undertake testing to check for these conditions. Some people may also require testing for hepatitis C.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health/health-undertaking
Testing positive for hepatitis B or C does not automatically mean you will be denied a visa to live or work in Australia. Anyone who tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C will be asked to complete a health undertaking. This means that you have agreed to attend an appointment with a health care clinic for a follow up health examination and to undergo investigations and potential treatments for hepatitis B or C as required after arriving in Australia. Your visa application will not be refused as long as you agree to complete the Health Undertaking.
Therefore, a health undertaking is not punitive. It is a means to ensure that all people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, who have arrived to live in Australia, access appropriate care to protect their health, the health of their family, and the wider community.
A health undertaking is valid for 6 months from the time of signing. During this time, the person must seek medical care and completed and submitted any additional medical information required under the agreement.
ECCQ’s Love Health Program along with Queensland Health’s HCV Hub at West Moreton are here to assist with the Health Undertaking process in Queensland. We can help with navigation of the health system, provide education and information about hepatitis B and C English or other languages, and support engagement in care and monitoring of their health conditions.
For assistance or more information, please contact us at [email protected] or visit www.eccq.com.au/bbv for hepatitis B or C resources in multiple languages.
If you are in Cairns, you can contact the team at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling (07) 4226 4769 or emailing [email protected].
