Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) vs Health criterion 4007 (waiver available)
Every visa applies one of two health criteria, and the number decides whether a failed health requirement can be rescued. Under 4005, which the points-tested skilled visas, student visas and most temporary visas carry, a condition that would cost the community more than the significant cost threshold, or that would prejudice access to care, fails the applicant and the whole family, with no waiver. Under 4007, which the partner and child visas, the employer-sponsored 482, 186 and 494, protection visas and some others carry, the same finding can be waived where the applicant shows mitigation, contribution and compelling circumstances. A family with a member who may fail reads which criterion the visa carries before choosing the visa.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Which visas
- 189, 190, 491, student visas, visitor visas and most temporary visas · Partner, child, 482, 186, 494, protection and some others
- The test
- Significant cost or prejudice to access to care, read over the visa period or ten years for permanent visas · The same test
- If failed
- Refused; one family member failing fails all · A waiver can be requested and is regularly granted on strong evidence
- Evidence for a waiver
- Not applicable · Mitigation of the cost, the family’s contribution, compelling circumstances, the undue cost question
The migration agent that other migration agents learn from. WIDEN is an OMARA-approved CPD provider — our training is rated ★4.8 by 40+ registered migration agents.
About the CPD →Side by side
| Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) | Health criterion 4007 (waiver available) | |
|---|---|---|
| Which visas | 189, 190, 491, student visas, visitor visas and most temporary visas | Partner, child, 482, 186, 494, protection and some others |
| The test | Significant cost or prejudice to access to care, read over the visa period or ten years for permanent visas | The same test |
| If failed | Refused; one family member failing fails all | A waiver can be requested and is regularly granted on strong evidence |
| Evidence for a waiver | Not applicable | Mitigation of the cost, the family’s contribution, compelling circumstances, the undue cost question |
| Watch out | Choosing a 4005 visa with a known condition when a 4007 visa was open | A waiver is a discretion, decided within the application, never guaranteed |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
Every visa applies one of two health criteria, and the number decides whether a failed health requirement can be rescued. Under 4005, which the points-tested skilled visas, student visas and most temporary visas carry, a condition that would cost the community more than the significant cost threshold, or that would prejudice access to care, fails the applicant and the whole family, with no waiver. Under 4007, which the partner and child visas, the employer-sponsored 482, 186 and 494, protection visas and some others carry, the same finding can be waived where the applicant shows mitigation, contribution and compelling circumstances. A family with a member who may fail reads which criterion the visa carries before choosing the visa.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
Book 30 minutes with Keshab.
Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), reads your situation with you and tells you which route fits, what it costs and what happens next.
Video consultation. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes, credited in full if you go ahead. Free questions are closed: advice on your own case is the consultation.
Book a consultation — A$330 inc. GST, credited In writing, no call — A$550
Need 60 minutes, or bringing a partner, employer or documents to go through? Extended consultation, A$550 inc. GST.
MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
Not sure which visa fits you?
Answer three questions. An automated guide points you to the route that usually applies. General information only.
Questions we get asked first
Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) or Health criterion 4007 (waiver available) — which is better?
Every visa applies one of two health criteria, and the number decides whether a failed health requirement can be rescued. Under 4005, which the points-tested skilled visas, student visas and most temporary visas carry, a condition that would cost the community more than the significant cost threshold, or that would prejudice access to care, fails the applicant and the whole family, with no waiver. Under 4007, which the partner and child visas, the employer-sponsored 482, 186 and 494, protection visas and some others carry, the same finding can be waived where the applicant shows mitigation, contribution and compelling circumstances. A family with a member who may fail reads which criterion the visa carries before choosing the visa.
What is the main difference between the Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) and the Health criterion 4007 (waiver available)?
Which visas: Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) — 189, 190, 491, student visas, visitor visas and most temporary visas; Health criterion 4007 (waiver available) — Partner, child, 482, 186, 494, protection and some others. The test: Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) — Significant cost or prejudice to access to care, read over the visa period or ten years for permanent visas; Health criterion 4007 (waiver available) — The same test. If failed: Health criterion 4005 (no waiver) — Refused; one family member failing fails all; Health criterion 4007 (waiver available) — A waiver can be requested and is regularly granted on strong evidence.
Keep reading