Question
Can I get a work visa for Australia if I’m HIV positive?
27 February 2016. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Disclosure, Travel.
I am a psychiatric nurse and have been hiv positive since 2004. I am taking truvada and efivarenz.
In 2007 I was refused entry to New Zealand because they said my medication was expensive and truvada new on the market also being HIV my chances of hospitalization where high.
I want to try Australia, do they have same policy on hiv migrant workers?
Answer
Currently, as in almost every country of the world, foreigners applying for most types of Australian visas, excluding temporary visitor visas, require a health check. The certified results are a required part of their immigration documents.
The Australian government Department of Immigration and Citizenship also wrote :-
“If the applicant is found to be HIV positive, a decision on whether the applicant meets the health requirement will be made on the same grounds as any other pre-existing medical condition. The main factor to be taken into account is the cost of the condition to the Australian community of health care and community services. Standard pre and post-test counselling must be provided by the doctor who examined the applicant.”
This link helps demonstrate the criteria for gaining a visa for entry into Australia. While Australia does carry some restrictions, these are often not enforced and gaining a visa tends to end in positive outcomes for those who are HIV positive.
However, nursing is one of the professions where HIV might still be an issue. The restrictions on HIV positive people working as doctors, dentist and nurses were lifted in the UK so long as the person is on ART with an undetectable viral load. In other countries this might not be the case yet.
Perhaps contact an HIV organistation in Australia, such as NAPWA (www.napwa.org) in case they can help.
This answer was updated in January 2022 from a question first posted in November 2011.
Hi, would like to take part in the Pan Pacific Masters Games in Gold coast this November from 02 – 11. Can I be granted visa??
Hi Ahmad, As it says on this question above, you can try this link to the National Association of People Living with HIV in Australia. You can contact them for information.
I’m Pakistani my name is Ahmad, I Am HIV positive. I Am married and my family are negative. I want to come Australia please help.
Hi Glory, Here is the lnk to the National Association of People Living with HIV in Australia. You can contact them for information.
Hi my fiance is Australia and we have applied for a fiance marriage Visa, though it’s taken so long to get answer due to some financial difficulties he is facing. Is there an organization my fiance can contact in Australia to help us get this Visa.
Hi Winston, The info for applying is here above. Best of luck with your application.
I realy wanted to work Australia or Germany but I’m HIV + Will I qualify?
Hi Caroll,
Please see the above. It may also help to contact your local Australian Embassy.
Hi, i also hiv positif and will move to Australia with partner visa. But me & spouse are planned we both should be working. Is it mandatory to disclose my status to company that i will apply? Thank you
Hi Junior, I am sorry but i-Base is a treatment information project. We don’t have detailed information about working in other countries. How are you doing otherwise? Is your CD4 count okay and are you planning to start treatment?