A 23-year-old British backpacker, Regan Sparks, has been denied entry to Australia due to her cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition that causes thick mucus to block the lungs and digestive system. Despite having travelled extensively across Europe and Asia, Sparks was rejected for a working holiday visa in February 2023, and later for a tourist visa, on the grounds that she would be a medical liability.
Sparks, who has not been hospitalised in over two years, declared her condition on her visa application and offered to fund her healthcare privately. However, the Australian government determined that her condition could cost more than A$86,000, based on a hypothetical person with the same condition. Sparks described the decision as 'discriminating' and said she 'will never be allowed into Australia'.
She appealed the decision with letters from her London doctors and the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust, but was rejected. The trust reportedly called the policy 'barbaric'. Sparks expressed frustration that the assessment was based on a hypothetical case rather than her individual health status, noting that CF affects everyone differently and she manages hers well.
A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson stated that the migration health requirement is not condition-specific and that each applicant is assessed individually. They confirmed that costs are compared to a hypothetical person with the same condition, and that having a disease does not automatically disqualify an applicant.
Sparks, who has visited countries including those in Southeast Asia, said this is the first time her disability has prevented her from doing something. She acknowledged that the only way she could enter Australia would be to marry an Australian, but remains confused as to why she cannot visit.
