What medical letter do I need for Australia Subclass 602 in 2026, and when is Form 1507 required?

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs' Medical Treatment visa (Subclass 602) official page, as of August 2026, a Subclass 602 applicant who is coming to Australia for medical treatment or to donate an organ needs a letter from the treating doctor in Australia that sets out four items: the medical condition, the treatment that will be required, an estimate of the timeframe, and an estimate of the cost involved. Form 1507 Evidence of intended medical treatment (includes consultation) is an additional requirement only in a narrower situation: you must complete it if you are applying in Australia and you do not hold a substantive visa — that is, a visa other than a bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa.

What exactly must the treating doctor's letter include?

The letter has to come from your treating doctor in Australia, not from a doctor overseas and not from a hospital administrator acting alone. The official page lists four required elements:

• your medical condition;
• the treatment that will be required;
• an estimate of the timeframe;
• an estimate of the cost involved.

These points describe the treatment you are seeking in Australia. The cost figure inside this letter is an estimate only; it is not by itself proof that you have the money to pay. Because the letter has to match your own treatment plan, this article is general reference only and is not personalised professional advice; for your specific circumstances, rely on the latest official information or a professional's opinion.

Is the doctor's letter the same as proof you can pay for treatment?

No. The medical letter estimates cost, while payment arrangements are separate financial evidence. Under the official page, you need proof that you have access to enough money to pay for your treatment and to support yourself and anyone who comes with you, plus a letter from your treating doctor or hospital saying they are satisfied with the arrangements for payment. If the treatment will be in a public hospital, that payment letter must come from the financial officer or the administration department of the hospital, and it must confirm that no Australian will be disadvantaged in accessing medical services as a result of your treatment.

The Department's eligibility page also states that, in most circumstances, you must pre-arrange payment of your medical costs to show that the treatment will not cost an Australian government or public authority money. The written proof from a public or private hospital must confirm that it has approved your treatment and the arrangements to pay all the costs. The Migration Regulations 1994 and the Department's PAM3 guidance express the same idea as "arrangements have been concluded" for the treatment and for payment of all costs under clause 602.212(2), and add the criterion that the visa grant must not disadvantage Australian citizens or permanent residents in accessing medical treatment (clause 602.214).

When is Form 1507 required?

Form 1507 is required only when both conditions are met: you are applying in Australia, and you do not hold a substantive visa. The official page defines a substantive visa as a visa other than a bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa. So if your only current visa is a bridging visa, you are treated as not holding a substantive visa. Assume an applicant is in Australia on a Bridging visa A and applies for Subclass 602: because a bridging visa is not a substantive visa, Form 1507 is required. If you apply from outside Australia, or you are in Australia and hold a substantive visa, this specific trigger does not apply through that rule.

The form itself is Form 1507 Evidence of intended medical treatment (includes consultation). PAM3 guidance states that an applicant without a substantive visa must submit a completed and signed Form 1507, so the form formally records the intended medical treatment, including consultation, alongside the treating doctor's letter.

How do health examinations fit in?

Health examinations are separate from the treating doctor's letter. The official page says you can complete your health examinations before you apply, or wait until the Department tells you to have them; they are required in addition to the details you provide about the medical treatment you are seeking in Australia. The eligibility page also requires that you must not have a medical condition that could be a threat to public health or endanger the Australian community, which is a distinct criterion from the four-point doctor's letter.

PAM3 guidance notes that, for the medical-treatment category, the health assessment commonly focuses only on excluding active tuberculosis risk; applicants from low tuberculosis-risk countries usually do not need an examination, while those from higher tuberculosis-risk countries or with known problems may need one.

What documents cover which part of the application?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four required points in a Subclass 602 treating doctor's letter?

The letter must outline your medical condition, the treatment that will be required, an estimate of the timeframe, and an estimate of the cost involved. It must come from your treating doctor in Australia. This requirement is listed on the Department of Home Affairs' Medical Treatment visa (Subclass 602) official page, as of August 2026.

Is Form 1507 needed if I apply from outside Australia?

No, the Form 1507 trigger described on the official page applies only when you are applying in Australia. The other condition is that you do not hold a substantive visa. If you apply from outside Australia, this particular requirement does not apply through that rule.

What counts as not holding a substantive visa for Form 1507?

A substantive visa is defined as a visa other than a bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa. Holding only a bridging visa therefore means you do not hold a substantive visa. If you are in Australia in that situation and applying for Subclass 602, you must complete Form 1507.

Does the cost estimate in the doctor's letter prove I can pay for treatment?

No, the estimate is only part of the medical evidence. You still need separate financial evidence, including proof of access to enough money and a letter from the treating doctor or hospital saying they are satisfied with the payment arrangements. For public hospital treatment, that payment letter must come from the hospital's financial officer or administration department.

What extra confirmation is required for treatment in a public hospital?

The payment arrangements letter must come from the financial officer or the administration department of the public hospital. It must confirm that no Australian will be disadvantaged in accessing medical services as a result of your treatment. The official eligibility page also says the written proof must show the hospital approved the treatment and the arrangements to pay all costs.

Are health examinations covered by the treating doctor's letter?

No, health examinations are a separate requirement. The official page says you may complete them before applying or wait until the Department asks, and they are required in addition to the medical treatment details. PAM3 guidance indicates the medical-treatment health assessment commonly focuses on excluding active tuberculosis risk.

References

Australian Department of Home Affairs — Medical Treatment visa (Subclass 602)

Australian Government — Migration Regulations 1994 and PAM3 guidance on Subclass 602