What's new in electronic health processing?

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Created on Monday, 15 July 2013 15:29

Written by Editorial staff

In 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) launched an electronic health processing system called eMedical.

Most people applying for immigration visas will be required to meet Australia's health standards. You may need to organise a health examination in order to prove this. The new eMedical system should make this process a whole lot quicker.

An updated version of the old eHealth system, eMedical was the result of two years' combined effort from the DIAC and Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Both countries are involved in the Five Country Conference (FCC), a forum that focuses on the issues surrounding border security and immigration. The FCC also includes the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand.

A spokesperson for the DIAC said on July 1 that eMedical demonstrates what can be achieved when FCC countries work together.

This new system electronically records DIAC or CIC visa applicants' health examination results.

About 120,000 visa applicants in Australia have already experienced the processing powers of the new and improved eMedical system.

As of July 1, an even greater number of people have been able to benefit from the "improved client service, enhanced integrity and significant financial savings" (says a DIAC spokesperson) that eMedical provides.

That's because July 1 marked the system's 100-country milestone. Now visa applicants all over the world can look forward to efficient and more cost-effective visa processing.

If you would like to know more, you can get in touch with Australian migration agents, who can guide you through the application process.

A DIAC spokesperson revealed that eMedical should make medical exam systems for immigrants much more secure, keeping applicants' personal information private and saving them time.

The DIAC also stated that the possibility for error has been reduced in the new system.

eMedical is just the tip of the iceberg. The DIAC plans to have 100 per cent of processing for Australian health examinations done electronically in the near future.

It announced that Medibank Health Solutions clinics and their regional partners will be implementing the system this month.

A new service called My Health Declarations has also been launched by the DIAC. This allows people to complete health examinations electronically before applying for a visa.

Because the overall health assessment process can take weeks, it may be a good idea to complete your health examination before you lodge a visa application.

However, the DIAC warns that My Health Declarations is not suitable for all visa applicants. Be sure to enlist the services of migration agents in Australia before taking this step so you know it's the right one!