The Australian Immigration Department is loosening health restrictions to allow migrant workers with chronic conditions to enter Australia, including those with HIV/AIDS.

With this change, Australia hopes to attract skilled migrant workers, who otherwise would have been denied a visa for health-related reasons.

The Australian Immigration Department’s new rules would expand upon the current waiver program which allows certain individuals with chronic health conditions into the country.

Of the 288 waivers granted last year, the majority were for foreign partners of Australian citizens.

During 2008 to 2009, 42 health waivers…