How the refugee transfer bill will work

HOW LEGISLATION TO MAKE MEDICAL TRANSFER FOR REFUGEES EASIER WORKS

* A medical panel of two doctors would assess requests for medical transfers of people currently on Manus Island and Nauru, but not new arrivals.

* Home Affairs minister would have 72 hours to make a decision on whether to agree to a medical transfer.

* The minister can reject the transfer on national security grounds or if the person has a substantial criminal record and poses a threat to the Australian community.

* If the minister refuses the transfer for another reason, the decision is referred to the eight-member Independent Health Advice Panel.

* The panel can then reassess the reasoning before choosing whether to make a second recommendation for transfer.

* The health advice panel includes the Home Affairs Department's chief medical officer and the Commonwealth chief medical officer

* It also has at least one person nominated by each of the Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Royal Australasian College of Physicians and one with expertise in pediatric health.

* The panel won't be paid, a move designed to remove doubts over whether the bill was unconstitutional.