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 am charlotte from Uganda hiv positive want to apply for a visa but scared of my status
Hi Rasal,
It’s a good idea to decide what country you might want to work in. You can then try contacting their local embassy in your country.
Here’s a link to HIV Travel that gives information on travel and residence restrictions for people who are HIV positive.
I’m HIV positive I’m applying work permit any country???
Hi Lentletse,
Please see the above post for info about Australia.
Hi
I want to join my boyfriend in Australia he works there I want to know if they’ll allow me to enter. Am HIV positive
Hi Margaret,
You being positive won’t be an issue when applying for a visa for Germany.
Hi, am Kenyan hiv +, age 29yrs, planning to apply for work permit in Germany. Will it be hindrance due of my status?
Hi Marco,
You being positive won’t be an issue why a visa for Australia would be rejected.
Hi, Hope you can help me. I was thinking applying to a secondment with my work to work in the Australia office for minimum two years, I am 33 and been positive for three years and undetectable for 2 years. The reason not to get the visa would be my status hence I am scared to ask the secondment. Do you think it would be a problem?
Hi Michelle,
Are you also HIV positive? This website is about HIV treatment, but we also get asked about rules on visas and travel. That’s why we have the Q&A about working in Australia if you’re HIV positive.