Public interest criteria (PIC)
Statutory definition
Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations 1994 prescribes the Public Interest Criteria (PICs). PICs applicable to most visa classes include: PIC 4001 (character — must hold character requirements of the Act); PIC 4005 (health — must meet applicable health requirement); PIC 4007 (not subject to an adverse security assessment); PIC 4010 (must not owe a debt to the Commonwealth). Specific visa subclasses incorporate these PICs by reference in their Schedule 2 criteria.
Explanation
Public interest criteria are the threshold requirements applying across virtually all visa classes. They ensure that visa holders do not represent a public health or safety risk, have not defrauded the Commonwealth, and are not national security threats. Failure to satisfy any applicable PIC results in visa refusal regardless of whether all other criteria are met. The health PIC requires the applicant (and often their family members) to undergo a health examination by a panel physician and may result in a refusal if the applicant has a condition with significant cost or public health implications.