JanniDK

Hi,

Just going through other threads dealing with frontloading meds and now I am confused!!

Our 137 application was acknowledged 1 February, i.e. 3 weeks ago. We have been informed that processing time is approx. 6 months. We have booked X-rays for tomorrow and medicals for next Friday, 3 March, and now I am beginning to wonder if this is too early???

I don't know if I will be asked to sign a Health Undertaking (I have scoliose - no restrictions at all, but still...it's there). Have got a specialist report to take to the panel doctor, as required.

Could anyone please tell me who asks you to sign this Undertaking? The panel doctor at the time of the medical? Do you think the panel doctor would inform me in advance if she believes my "problem" is so "serious", I would be asked to sign it?

Does this undertaking automatically mean validity will be reduced from 12 to 6 months? And does this mean that we would have to ENTER Australia within 6 months of the date of medical or does this only apply to DIMIA processing the application? I simply don't understand the last bit - if it means we would have to validate or not within 6/12 months...

Final question: I have read about extensions of medicals but don't understand how exactly this works. Would anyone please explain to me if this is an option at all for us?

Thanks in advance,

Regards,
Janni

Alison1967

Your medicals are only valid for 12 months if they are panel A
and only 6 months if panel B (B = chronic illnesses or conditions requiring treatment)
You PCC's are only valid for twelve months only.
You run the risk of having to get them done again if you do them too early.
Also you would only get a extension for exceptional circumstances and isn't something they generally do.
Hope it helps to clarify a few things, good luck

Alison

JanniDK

Hi Alison,

Thanks for your prompt response.

I still don't understand if validity means that you will actually have to ENTER Australia within 12/6 monhts?

What happens if we have not been granted the visa within the 12/6 months? Then it is, of course, impossible to validate it, right? I mean, you cannot validate a visa you have not been given? Does this mean we would have to get medicals done again?

I have just called the panel doctor we are going to see as I would like to know if she can tell me if my scoliose is seen as a chronic illness. If yes, we will cancel our X-rays and medicals already booked and wait a couple of months. If not - we will take the chance and get it done as we are planning to validate November 2006.

Thanks again,

Janni

Pollyana

Yes, the validity means you have to enter Australia within that time - 6 or 12 months. If you fail to enter in that time then you almost certainly have to redo your medicals. Thats why it is often best to wait for the request, rather than doing them early.
The same goes for the police checks. they are valid for 12 months. Your entry date is based on whichever has the earlier expiry date, your meds or your police check.

JanniDK

Pollyana,

Thanks for your response. OMG - I am starting to panic! Don't know if we can cancel our appointment for X-rays tomorrow this late...

Do you know if the date of the specialist report is important in any way? Or is it only the date of medicals that counts in this respect?

Thanks again,

Regards,
Janni

Alison1967

I agree with Pollyana

The panel doctor will want recent information for current health compliants and problems. Anything serious in the past will require information also.
If there is any chance you will be awarded panel B medical results you may want want to reconsider having xrays and medical at the moment.
Not knowing reason for or date of this report (don't need to know this personally) you may want to seek advice from a migration agent or emmigration advisor.

Good Luck

Alison

JanniDK

Hi Alison,

Thanks again:-)

I spoke to the panel doctor yesterday evening and she said that if we (I) brought "positive" specialist reports to the medicals, she would have no problem ticking an "A". BUT she also said it was not her who made the final decision and she could not promise, of couse, that the LCU would also do this.

THEREFORE we decided to cancel our appointments for X-rays and medicals and wait a few months. Fortunately, we could easily do this.

Thanks all - and good luck to you to:-)

Have a nice weekend.

Regards,
Janni