The Federal government has amended the health criteria for temporary and permanent visas applicants who are born and ordinarily reside in Australia.
The amendment has been commended by Welcoming Disability, a group supported by more than 100 organisations and experts.
The body says the government’s reforms will end discrimination against children born with disability in Australia, and that it had engaged in “significant advocacy” over several years.
What do the changes mean?
Previously, the health-related criteria would have meant these children and their family members would be ineligible for a visa do to the potential cost of healthcare or community services.
“The change applies to visa applications made before or after 16th October 2024 and not yet finally determined, and is applicable to applications currently under merits review as well,” Dr Jan Gothard, Welcoming Disability migration policy advisor, explained.
“This reform was flagged in the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disabilities and will create a fairer, more inclusive migration system for children born in Australia with disabilities or health conditions, ensuring that their families have equitable access to the visa process.”
Darryl Steff, CEO of Down Syndrome Australia, said: “Families, who had already been making significant contributions to our communities over many years, were being told they may have to leave Australia after having a child born here with a disability or health condition. Not only was this policy unjust, it reinforced the stigma and discrimination that people with disabilities already face.”
Where to next
Gothard said the government must stop reducing people to a number and begin acknowledging the social and economic contributions that people with disability and health conditions make to the country.
“The notion that people with disabilities or health conditions do not live full lives, contribute less to our society and are a net burden reinforces the widespread stigma and discrimination that they already face. This reform is a significant step in the right direction.”