Australian Visa Delays in 2026: Health Checks, Character Clearance & PCC Timelines (And How to Avoid Them)

Most visa timelines don’t blow out because your visa “takes long.” They blow out because your case stops moving while Home Affairs waits for health, character, or police clearance certificates (PCCs) to be finalised.

These are the quiet delay triggers, often requested late, often taking weeks (or months) to complete, and often causing repeat requests when something is inconsistent.

Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants on their journey to Australian Dreams. This guide breaks down the real timeline risks and the practical steps that keep your application “decision-ready” in 2026.

Why health + character + PCCs delay visas (even when everything else is correct)

Home Affairs can’t finalise many visas until they are satisfied you meet the health requirement and the character requirement. If either one is pending, your application often sits in a holding pattern.

Two important realities in 2026:

• Medical results can expire
  Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months. If you do health exams too early and processing runs long, you might be asked to repeat them.
• Character checks are not always “one document”
  After you apply, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and additional forms (like Form 80, Form 1563, military service declarations), depending on your history and risk flags.

The “Hidden Timeline Killers” (and what usually triggers them)

Here’s where delays typically happen-and why.

Upfront vs “on request” health checks – which is smarter in 2026?

Many applicants assume: “If I do medicals upfront, my visa will be faster.” Sometimes yes. But the trade-off is expiry risk.

Home Affairs notes medical results are generally valid for 12 months, and specifically warns that if you do health exams before you apply and processing is delayed, you may need to do them again-so you should consider processing times before using upfront pathways like My Health Declarations (where available).

If you’re in Australia, health examinations are arranged through the migration medical services provider (Bupa Medical Visa Services), and you’ll need your HAP ID to book/manage the appointment.

How long are Australian visa medicals valid (and what causes re-medicals)?

This is one of the most searched questions because it affects strategy directly.

• Health assessment results are generally valid for 12 months from the time you complete the examinations.
• If processing runs long, you may be asked to repeat health examinations, especially if your results expire before a decision is made.
• If your case is referred to a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC), Home Affairs may need extra time to assess whether you meet the health requirement (or whether an undertaking/waiver applies in specific visa contexts).

Police certificates (PCCs): What Home Affairs expects in skilled visas

For skilled visas, Home Affairs states you must provide police certificates for you and family members aged over 16, including every country where you’ve lived for 12 months in the past 10 years since turning 16. If a certificate isn’t in English, you must provide a certified translation.

This is exactly why PCC delays happen: many applicants underestimate how many certificates are required, especially if they studied/worked in multiple countries.

Australia police certificate: Code 33 is critical

Home Affairs instructs that for an Australian police certificate you must complete the AFP National Police Check application, using ‘Commonwealth employment / purpose’ and code 33 for immigration/citizenship purposes.

Realistic timing: how long PCCs can take

AFP guidance says most digital certificates arrive within a few days (online applications), but fingerprint checks take at least 15 working days.

Character: What triggers extra checks (Form 80, travel history, “further information” requests)

Home Affairs frames character requirements under section 501 of the Migration Act and requires applicants to declare all criminal conduct (charged/convicted), answer questions truthfully, and provide requested information.

After you apply, they may ask you to:

• provide police certificates
• complete Form 80 (personal particulars for character assessment)
• complete Form 1563 (statement of character)
• provide military service documents / declarations
• provide other supporting information

In practice, extra character requests are often triggered by:

• long or complex travel history (many entries/exits across years)
• inconsistent address/employment dates across documents
• name variations across countries/documents
• incomplete disclosure (even when unintentional)

Partner points, English points, and experience points: why they matter to timelines (not just invitations)

Even though points are about invitations/EOIs, they still influence delays indirectly because they affect how clean your evidence pack is.

• Partner points: If you claim partner points, ensure the supporting evidence is complete and consistent (English results, skills assessment if relevant, relationship evidence where required). Missing partner evidence can lead to “further information” requests later.
• English points: English test verification windows can clash with long processing. If your English Test undergoes random verification in home affairs then it can delay process of visa application.
• Experience points: Work experience claims are frequently scrutinised against dates, duties, payslips, tax records, employer references, and skills assessment outcomes. If your evidence is patchy, it can trigger requests and delays.

The takeaway: points strategy should be built around defensible evidence, not just maximum points.

A “decision-ready” checklist that prevents avoidable delays

If you want your file to keep moving, aim for “no unanswered questions” when a case officer opens it.

• Time your medicals intelligently (avoid expiry risk)
• Prepare PCCs early for every relevant country (12 months in the past 10 years since turning 16, common skilled visa standard)
• Use AFP Code 33 for Australian police checks
• Upload certified translations for non-English PCCs
• Keep travel + address history consistent across EOI/ROI, ImmiAccount forms, and supporting documents
• Be ready for Form 80/Form 1563 if requested (don’t panic, prepare your personal history details now)

Important disclaimer: This article discusses patterns commonly observed across visa processing and Home Affairs requirements. Every case is different and processing steps can change. Always rely on current Department of Home Affairs guidance and your case-specific advice.

FAQs

1) How long are visa medicals valid for Australia?

Health assessment results are generally valid for 12 months from when you complete the examinations. If processing is delayed, you may need to repeat them.

2) Should I do medicals upfront to speed up my visa?

Not always. Upfront medicals can help in some cases, but they also increase the risk of expiry if processing runs long. Home Affairs recommends considering processing times before choosing upfront options like My Health Declarations (where available).

3) What is an MOC referral and why does it slow things down?

If your case is referred to a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC), it means Home Affairs needs additional assessment of your health results before finalising the outcome. That extra step can add time, especially if more tests/reports are needed.

4) Do I need PCCs for every country I’ve lived in?

For skilled visa applicants, Home Affairs says you must provide police certificates for every country where you’ve lived for 12 months in the past 10 years since turning 16 (including for eligible family members over 16).

5) How do I get an Australian police certificate for immigration?

Home Affairs directs applicants to apply for an AFP National Police Check and use ‘Commonwealth employment / purpose’ with code 33 for immigration/citizenship checks.

6) How long does an AFP National Police Check take?

AFP states most digital certificates arrive within a few days if you apply online, but fingerprint checks take at least 15 working days.

7) What character documents can Home Affairs request after I lodge?

They may ask for a police certificate and additional forms like Form 80 or Form 1563, plus other documents (e.g., military service evidence) depending on your circumstances.

8) Does missing partner/English/experience evidence cause delays?

It can. These claims often require precise supporting documents. If evidence doesn’t match what’s claimed (dates, duties, test validity, relationship details), it can trigger “further information” requests and slow the file.

9) Are PCC translations mandatory if the certificate isn’t in English?

Yes, Home Affairs requires a certified translation if the police certificate is not in English (for skilled visa applications).

10) When should I seek professional help for delays?

If you have complex medical history, multiple countries for PCCs, prior charges/convictions, or you receive a request like Form 80/Form 1563, a strategy review can prevent mistakes and repeat requests.

Book a consultation with Aussizz Group

If your visa timeline is being held up by health clearance, character checks, or PCC delays, or you want to avoid those risks before you lodge-book a consultation with Aussizz Group. We’ll help you build a decision-ready document plan, time your medicals correctly, and map the fastest compliant path based on your specific visa and history.