According to a recent statement by the Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, the Australian government have proposed to make changes to the Significant Cost Threshold in order to make migration fairer for people with disabilities. The government will still employ rigorous health screening procedures in order to protect public health, however from 1 July the Significant Cost Threshold is planned to be increased from $21,000 to $35,000.
The government has proposed a policy to allow for a more personalised and individual approach when assessing prospective visa applicants against the health requirements.
It has also been said that the government will streamline health waivers for offshore humanitarian applicants who fail to meet the health requirement on cost grounds, bringing the offshore policy into line with onshore arrangements.
Significant Cost Threshold Assessment
The procedure for assessing people who have disabilities will be based on a net benefit approach, which will take into consideration social and economic benefits that an applicant and their family brings to Australia.
These benefits will be offset against the cost of health care for the person being assessed, however the Minister has stressed that people who want to migrate to Australia permanently will need to satisfy all the required health criteria.
In a closing statement, the Mr. Bowen said: People who are considered to pose a significant health risk to the community will not be granted a visa.
The Minister will provide further information about the proposed reforms in the coming weeks.