Ukraine war: Medical costs for visas force refugees ‘through the cracks’

Families fleeing war in Ukraine risk being left in limbo because of a stiff charge the Australian government insists on before they can get a visa.

Refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine risk not being allowed to settle in Australia, unless steep medical fees for visas, which can run up to thousands of dollars for families, can be covered.

The head of the nation’s Ukrainian community has revealed discussions have been launched with global health giant Bupa to secure a crucial donation to help families cover the costs of medical checks required to obtain three-year humanitarian visas.

As the federal government’s contracted visa medical service provider, Bupa charges $333 a person for an examination and a chest X-ray in major cities, climbing to nearly $400 in regional SA and $585 in some other remote areas outside the state.

Extra costs are involved if further testing is required.

Stefan Romaniw, the chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said it was a “huge cost”, particularly for families who arrived with just the clothes on their backs.

A family of five would potentially be forced to pay $2925 to undergo the necessary tests to transfer to Temporary Humanitarian Concern visas, known as “786”.

These are valid for three years and provide rights to work, study and access Medicare.

“There will always be people who fall through the cracks. That’s just life,” Mr Romaniw said.

“We are trying to deal with those people going through the cracks … we don’t want anybody to be left out.”

Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, Stefan Romaniw. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty.

As the war moves closer, Georgy and Natalie Aleseeva wait with their children at a church for a van to arrive to help evacuate them on in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on June 7. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty Images

It is understood Bupa has offered a $100,000 donation to the Ukrainian group, which has been rejected in the hope of receiving a more substantial sum.

Since Russia launched its brutal invasion in February, more than 3200 Ukrainians have arrived in Australia – an estimated 200 in SA, where The Advertiser Foundation has raised $170,000 to help refugees.

Most arrive on a six-month “449” visa, before transferring to the all-important 786.

Mr Romaniw estimated there were at least 600 refugees awaiting medical checks: “I can’t see us being able to pay everybody but I think there’s certainly an opportunity to help those in need.”

A Bupa spokesman said the company was “extremely concerned by the human suffering caused by the conflict in Ukraine and condemn Russia’s invasion”.

“In Australia, Bupa has engaged with the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations to provide support to those arriving in Australia,” the spokesman said.

“This includes a donation to the organisation for the purpose of assisting those in most need with the cost of their visa medical check.”

New Home Affairs Minister Andrew Giles has not responded to questions on whether he would consider providing special financial help for refugees needing medical examinations.

The former Morrison government handed the Ukrainian organisations a $450,000 grant to help its operations, which have ramped up since Russia’s invasion.

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