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Regan Sparks, who was born with cystic fibrosis (CF) 23 years ago, faced uncertainty about her life expectancy from an early age. Medical experts initially predicted she would not live beyond her early 40s. However, her outlook transformed dramatically when a groundbreaking drug, Trikafta (also known as Kaftrio), was approved for use in 2020. This medication significantly improved Regan’s health, enabling her to live a more active and fulfilling life. Since starting the treatment, she found a job, entered a relationship, took up running, and even arranged backpacking trips, all of which had seemed unattainable before.
Despite these positive changes, Regan’s aspirations were recently hindered by visa regulations when she sought to travel to Australia. One of the stipulations for obtaining an Australian visa is that applicants must demonstrate that their potential medical costs will not exceed a threshold of A$86,000 (£45,700) during their stay. However, Regan’s essential medication costs A$250,000 (£133,000) annually—far above the permitted limit. Consequently, her working holiday visa application was rejected twice, despite letters of support from her medical team in Cambridge and CF Together in Australia. Regan describes this decision as “a kick in the teeth,” emphasizing that her condition has never stopped her from pursuing her dreams.
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to severe health complications. Regan underwent surgery on her bowel within 24 hours of birth and spent much of her childhood in hospital. The approval of Trikafta in 2020 was a turning point, reviving her hopes and allowing her to live a relatively normal life. She even took up marathon training and plans to compete in the New York Marathon, an event that symbolizes her journey from being a “dying child” to a determined athlete.
Regan’s recent travels across Southeast Asia, which included countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, went smoothly despite carrying three months’ worth of her medication. Immigration authorities in these countries accepted her medical documents without issue. She had hoped to experience the opportunity to work in Australia but was blocked by the health-related visa restrictions. Regan suggests Australia could adopt a more inclusive approach by allowing travelers with costly medical conditions to enter if they agree to fully cover their treatment or sign a health waiver. She insists, “I wasn’t asking to live there. I wasn’t asking for anything from the Australian government, I wasn’t looking for a handout – I just wanted to experience Australia for the set term of the visa.”
The Australian Department of Home Affairs explained that all visa applications are evaluated individually, with particular attention to health requirements to
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