Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)

Australia

1. How do I reschedule my appointment? 

If you need to reschedule your appointment, please email the practice on info@knightsbridge-doctors.com with the new date and preferred time you need your appointment moved too. If you are rescheduling more than one person/appointment, please list all those who need to be moved in your email.

2. Do I need to fast before my blood test? 

There is no need to fast, you can eat and drink as normal prior to your appointment. 

3. I am booking for a family; how do I do this? 

Every person who needs a medical must have their own appointment. You must book each person individually. Please choose a day with enough space for all of you and try to book consecutive appointments where possible.

4. How long will my appointment take?

We suggest an individual adult allows 2 hours with us for their entire appointment, though we do our best to see you well within this time frame. The approximate duration for a family of 4 is 2-3 hours.

5. What medical reports do I need to bring with me to my appointment? 

If you have any significant past or ongoing medical conditions, please bring relevant Hospital Clinic letters (or occasionally a GP report) to your appointment. If you are otherwise healthy, you do not need to bring a medical report with you. If you are unsure, please wait and discuss this with the doctor during your appointment who will advise you further. 

6. I have paid online; will I have to pay again on the day of my appointment?

If you have booked correctly for your medical appointment, you will have nothing further to pay on the day of your appointment. If, however, you have booked incorrectly, the difference in payment for the required tests will be taken from you via card during your appointment. Moreover, if any further required tests become apparent during your appointment, these will be charged additionally.

7. What does the medical examination involve?

The medical examination is an assessment with the doctor which will involve a series of questions regarding past medical history. For children, their development including school progress will be addressed. 
The physical examination will consist of a general observation and, specifically, examination of each area of the body in turn. Thus, the lymph glands will be checked in the neck and under the arms. The ears and throat will be looked into. The heart and lungs will be examined in the chest and the abdomen will also be examined. Each applicant will also be weighed, their height measured, and, if appropriate, their visual acuity formally checked. There will be no breast or genital examination.

Kidney Function blood testing: For most accurate eGFR (kidney function) measurement, it is advised adults refrain from eating any meat in the 12 hours before having blood tests for creatinine and eGFR. If someone is taking creatine supplements (usually bodybuilders/some gym users), this may result in a falsely raised creatinine result and therefore a falsely low eGFR. Thus generally one should avoid creatinine supplements for 1 week prior to blood tests for creatinine and eGFR.

8. Will I need to return to Knightsbridge Doctors after the initial appointment?

Uncommonly to complete the immigration medical examination, an applicant might need to return to the Practice for a follow up closer chest x-ray view or a further blood sample.

9. I do not have a HAP ID, can I book my appointment?

You cannot be seen without a valid HAP ID. Please wait until you receive this to book your appointment. If an appointment is cancelled because a valid hap id to complete an immigration medical examination is not available, a cancellation charge will apply. This specifically applies where an applicant decides to book an appointment and it is confirmed in due course that the appointment is not required by Australia immigration.

10. I am pregnant, do I need to have a chest x-ray?

The Australian panel physician instructions state: “Applicants presenting a passport from lower TB risk countries are not required to complete a Chest X-Ray if pregnant. Evidence of pregnancy must be provided, for example, a certificate from the applicant’s own doctor. 
Please see the following link for the list of low prevalence TB countries: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting- our-requirements/health/what-health-examinations-youneed 
Applicants presenting a passport from higher TB risk countries who are more than 14 weeks pregnant must be advised that they have the option of either:

a. deferring the Chest X-Ray until after giving birth meaning their Immigration Medical Examination and visa application cannot be finalised until the Chest X-Ray examination is completed, or

b. Proceeding with the Chest X-Ray, with appropriate advice and precautions being taken. The Panel Physician will discuss these options at the appointment. 

11. Do I need to provide a urine sample for my Australian medical?

There is no urine test for Australia, you do not need to provide a urine sample.

12. Does my child / myself need an IGRA blood test, what is this?
 
IGRA blood test (or a tuberculin skin test) checks for previous exposure to tubercolosis infection. Children aged 2 to under 11 years, who are from a higher risk TB country, and are applying for a permanent or provisional visa require either an IGRA blood test (or a tuberculin skin test. The tuberculin skin test requires a second visit to the Practice between 2 and 3 days after the initial visit).
Please see the following link for the list of low prevalence TB countries. If the country of the child’s passport is NOT on the below list, it indicates the child is from a higher risk country for Tuberculosis: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health/what-health-examinations-you-need

13. Does my child / myself need a Hepatitis B surface antigen blood test, what is this?

All provisional and permanent visa applicants aged 15 years or older born in high hepatitis B risk countries require a hepatitis B surface antigen blood test.

For the list of LOW Hepatitis B risk countries, see ‘Countries with low risk of Hepatitis B’ at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health/what-health-examinations-you-need. If the applicant’s country of birth is NOT on this list he/she would be considered to be from a high hepatitis B risk country.