Hi

I had my medical last week which incuded a chest x-ray for my PR application. The doctor told me following my examination that I had "passed" pending the results of my blood test and x-ray.

My husband picked up a sealed evelope from the doctors today which we aren't allowed to open but need to send to immigration for our visa application. The receptionist also handed my husband a letter from the doctor addressed to me, this included a radiology report which suggested I`d had a chest infection recently - which I havent. It does state that there is no suggestion of active TB, but the doctor has recommended I see a GP if I feel unwell and maybe get another x-ray in a month or so. He hasn't told me I need to see him again or told me I have failed the medical.

Aside from the medical issues I am now worried this is going to cause issues with the visa application.

I have 2 questions:

1. Are the chest X-rays just to ensure I dont have TB?

2. Would the doctor tell me if I had "failed" the medical or do I just have to wait for immigration to tell me I have once I have submitted the medical report?

Any advice would be graet.

Jo

Jo,

I can answer both questions, and tell you what happened to us, to maybe put your mind at ease a bit. 1) The chest x-ray will detect active TB, certainly, and other things as well. 2)The doctor will not fail you, per se; the final decision is up to DIAC.

With us, all was going smoothly until medical. My wife took hers, and the Dr. told her she had an irregular heart beat; this has never been reported to her prior. He said DIAC might: 1) Ignore it, 2)Further tests and EKG, 3)Poss. CT scan, or 4) Reject her for cause. Gee, that made us feel great after all the work we had done!

Dr. FedEx'd report to D.C., next day she got an e-mail from DIAC agent congratulating her on her Permanent Resident Visa!! So, I wouldn't worry about it too much, until you hear from DIAC.

Regards,
Rick

Off to Sydney on August 4th!!!

Hi Jo

I'm replying only from information gleaned from posts on this and other forums, from information available from the immigration department, and from my own personal experience having partially gone through the system.

I believe that the x-ray is mainly to test for TB, yes.

I believe that what the immigration authorities are mainly concerned about is that if any immigrant has active TB, this will be treated immediately upon "entry" to Australia. As I understand it, it is a common occurrence for a chest x-ray to show some scarring from previous chest infection, which can occur without you even knowing about it. If such scarring appears, then the immigration authorities will most likely issue the visa subject to an "undertaking". The undertaking is your agreement (on form 815) within a certain time after "entering" Australia to contact the medical authorities to arrange for another x-ray. A comparison of the two x-rays would show if there is any active TB. So seems likely in your case that an undertaking would be required from you, but as long as you comply with the undertaking there will be no further problems.

One effect of the undertaking being required is that the life of your medical is reduced from one-year to 6 months. Therefore if you are in some sort of queue you might need another medical if there is a delay.

On the question whether the doctor would tell you if you failed the medical, I am quite sure that if you required treatment (eg. for active TB) the doctor would tell you straight away.
However, it does not sound from what you say that you have actually failed the medical. It seems likely that an undertaking will be required, only.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.