Broader consideration of migrants with disabilities

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Created on Friday, 09 November 2012 17:02

Written by Editorial staff

Advocates for disability groups have welcomed the announcement from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship that migrants who suffer from health problems or disabilities will be granted easier access to immigration visas to come to Australia.

Previously, the migration system has usually placed an assumption upon disabled people that they would be a burden on the healthcare system but would now assess the broader pros and cons.

Immigration minister Chris Bowen said that these changes should and will compare their health costs with what they can contribute economically and socially to Australia in what will be known as the "net benefit" approach.

From July 1, 2013 the government will increase the Significant Cost Threshold to $35,000, up from $21,000, which is the fiscal level at which a visa applicant's health costs are considered significant.

As for offshore humanitarian applicants who don't meet the health requirements, when it comes to cost, the department will streamline health waivers to bring it into line with onshore protocols.

He clarified the government's position by saying that public health is one of his department's concerns.

"Of course, the government's priority is the protection of public health so we will continue to apply rigorous and consistent health screening procedures.

"People who are considered to pose a significant health risk to the community will not be granted a visa," Bowen said.

Bowen will consider the other recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration's report, Enabling Australia: Inquiry into the Migration Treatment of Disability over the coming weeks.

Vision Australia international relations manager Maryanne Diamond told SBS that this decision was a long time coming.

"I'd like to congratulate Chris Bowen and the government on finally making the right decision.

"And it is totally in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 18, and Australia has ratified that convention that says people have the right to live anywhere that they choose and disability should not be a barrier," she said.

The National Ethnic Disabilities Alliance chief executive Dwayne Cranfield told the Special Broadcasting Service that the immigration department should really consider the skills that disabled people have which have been overlooked in the past. He said that the cultural diversity that is brought in by disabled foreigners is a positive in and of itself.