@PMPdreamer Here is my timeline:
July 18 - Medical exam at SLEC BGC for visa application (Temporary Activity Visa Subclass 408). I submitted to them my previous X-ray results from last year (different hospital; September 2016).
Aug 3 - I was informed by SLEC BGC that the AUS embassy is requiring sputum testing. I confirmed this from my application status in my online Immi account. Automatic sputum test yata pag may abnormal findings sa X-ray results. For my case, I think it is residual fibrosis on my upper right lung. I know these from my previous check up and X ray last year, although hindi ito sinabi sa akin ng pulmonologist ng SLEC BGC.
August 17,18,19 - Sputum collection at SLEC Manila
August 23 - Smear results are negative.
October 19 - 8-week culture results are negative. I took another X-ray examination, tapos same-day ang evaluation ng pulmonologist. Sabi niya, there is slight/small movement or regression ("lumiit") of fibrous spots on my upper right lung. This is evidence of "activity"; that means hindi stable ung fibrous spots. Medyo nakipagtalo ako sa pulmonologist as I tried calling it a stable lung scar. Pero according to her, it is not stable kasi nga daw medyo lumiit or nag-regressed compared to my X-ray finding from SLEC BGC 8 weeks ago. I told her I didn't take any anti-TB medicines on the last 8 weeks. Kasi wala naman ako ubo or sipon. I am only taking Vitamin C tablets daily. At saka baka dahil lang ito sa magkaibang X-ray machine ng BGC and Manila (he he). Anyway, still, she can't conclude if the fibrous spots are from TB or not. I think ang nilagay lang niya sa report ay slight regression of something on the upper right lung. Tapos recommendation niya is to wait another 3 months tapos re-take ng X-ray. No need to take medicines during these 3 months (October 20 - January 19).
According to the SLEC Manila nurse, it will take them 7-10 working days to upload the results on Immi account. I requested them to expedite the process, as I am scheduled to leave PH on November 24. According to AUS guidelines, it is up for the AUS embassy to decide on this. Sabi ng pulmonologist from SLEC Manila, mostly ay sinusunod lang ng AUS embassy ang recommendation ng SLEC. But there are also cases when the embassy will ask the applicant to fulfill a health undertaking (I have read this from the guidelines) tapos sa Australia na lang ang health monitoring. Although the slight regression is a proof of activity, I hope the embassy will still allow me to go via health undertaking this November.
Ngayon, if the embassy follows the recommendation of SLEC Manila, then I have to take another X-ray on the 3rd week of January 2018. If the X-ray result is still not stable, then SLEC Manila will recommend to the embassy a 3-6 month medication. Then another X-ray ulit.