Immediately after submitting my WHV application, I received an email informing me that I was required to undergo an in-person health inspection within 28 days. Depending on your personal medical and travel history, you may or may not be required to do this. I believe I was asked to do a health check because I had spent significant time in a country where tuberculosis (TB) is relatively common within the last five years.

In order to do my health check, I had to schedule an appointment at a clinic specifically licensed to perform immigration-related physicals and lab work. Unfortunately, the number of approved “panel physicians” is somewhat limited. From what I can see online, it looks like there are less than two dozen in the United States. A regular GP or family doctor cannot perform the health check for an Australian WHV application.

At first, I figured I would book an appointment with the only approved panel physician in Illinois (who happened to have an office in a suburb of Chicago). I hesitated though when I found overwhelmingly negative reviews online. Panel physicians are required to submit health results directly to the Australian government. In other words, applicants cannot upload copies of documentation on their ImmiAccounts to fulfill this requirement. With that in mind, I didn’t want to risk having my visa being denied because a disorganized clinic didn’t submit the required test results by the applicable deadline.

Luckily, Applicants for a WHV are not required to visit the panel physician closest to their place of residence. I looked up the next-nearest panel physician, which happened to be in Minneapolis. It had excellent reviews on Google Maps, and I’m happy to report that I also had a very positive experience there. Traveling from Chicago to Minnesota was undoubtedly a hassle, but I think it was worth the extra effort (I also made the most of it and enjoyed a weekend in the Twin Cities before returning home).