If you’re travelling to Australia for work or holiday, it’s not always easy to know which visas require health insurance. In most cases your visa application must satisfy visa condition 8501 which mandates that you have Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) while you are in the country. OVHC is equivalent to the minimum health insurance provided by Medicare for Australian residents.
That includes:
- Basic hospital cover: The cost of being treated in a public hospital for you and your family.
- Ambulance cover: The cost of emergency transport to hospital for you and your family.
- Medication cover: The cost of medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for you and your family
- Treatment cover: The cost of all treatments listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for you and your family.
Some exemptions to condition 8501 may apply if you’re enrolled in Medicare and your country of origin has a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) with Australia. So, if you’re wondering do I need OVHC, contact the Australian Department of Immigration to help determine your exemption eligibility.
403 Temporary Work Visa (International Relations)
The Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa is for workers sponsored by an employer or organisation in sectors related to international relations. This is most commonly used for employees of:
- Foreign Government Agencies (employees of foreign governments working in Australia).
- Diplomatic or Consular Staff (working in diplomatic posts).
- International Agreements (engaged in international agreements or arrangements).
If you’re applying for a 403 visa you’ll need to have adequate health insurance under the 8501 visa condition. This ensures you have access to healthcare and will not incur significant expense should you become unwell. OVHC insurance must be purchased before arriving in Australia and cover you for the length of your stay.
405 Investor Retirement Visa
The Investor Retirement Visa lets eligible retirees live in Australia while maintaining an investment. You must be at least 55 years old, have an approved investment in Australia, and meet certain financial criteria. The 405 is a temporary visa but holders can acquire permanent residency later under certain criteria.
OVHC is required for holders of the 405 visa under the 8501 condition as Medicare typically does not cover international visitors.
407 Training Visa
A 407 Visa allows individuals to participate in workplace-based training to enhance their skills in their occupation or field of study. The Training Visa is for visitors wanting to improve their knowledge and gain practical experience in an Australian organisation.
Holders of the 407 Training Visa are required to have OVHC for the duration of their stay under condition 8501, as it covers medical expenses, hospital visits, and other healthcare services not provided by Medicare to non-residents.
482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
A Temporary Skills Shortage Visa lets Australian employers sponsor skilled workers from overseas when there is a shortage of local talent. The 482 visa has three streams:
- The Short-term Stream which allows workers to stay in Australia for up to two years (or four years if an International Trade Obligation applies), but it is limited to certain occupations.
- The Medium-term Stream which allows skilled workers to stay in Australia for up to four years and provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years of employment.
- The Labour Agreement Stream, for employers who have an agreement with the government to sponsor skilled workers for positions not listed on the short-term and medium-term standard occupation lists. Employment and duration vary depending on the labour agreement.
When trying to work out which visas require health insurance, holders of the 482 visa are generally not subject to condition 8501, but OVHC is still strongly recommended. OVHC provides peace of mind, ensuring healthcare services and expenses are covered while living and working in Australia.
485 Temporary Graduate Visa
A Temporary Graduate Visa allows international students recently graduated from an Australian educational institution to remain in Australia temporarily for further study or work.
Under the 485 visa’s Graduate Work Stream, graduates with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) may stay on for a period of up to 18 months. Under the Post-Study Work Stream, students can stay on for up to two to four years, depending on the level of their higher education qualifications.
Temporary Graduate Visa holders must maintain their OVHC for the duration of the stay. OVHC provides coverage for medical expenses and access to healthcare services that are generally not available under Medicare for non-residents.
500 Student Visa
A Student Visa allows international students to live, study, and work while pursuing a full-time course of study at an eligible institution in Australia. This visa is commonly used by individuals enrolling in higher education, vocational training, or English language courses.
The 500 visa is subject to condition 8501, which requires the holder to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia. It’s therefore essential that international students secure Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) insurance before arriving in Australia.
OSHC provides coverage for medical services, hospital visits, and some pharmaceuticals, and ensures that international students can access necessary healthcare without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses whilst in Australia.
590 Student Guardian Visa
A Student Guardian Visa is for individuals providing care for a 500 Student Visa holder under the age of 18 while they are studying in Australia. It allows guardians to accompany students to the country to ensure they have the necessary support and care during their stay.
The 590 visa is valid for the duration of a student’s study program, and the holder must be covered by OVHC insurance for the duration, in accordance with condition 8501 on their visa. This ensures the guardian is also covered for medical treatment and emergency care throughout their stay.
870 Sponsored Parent Visa
A Sponsored Parent Visa lets Australian citizens and permanent residents bring out their parents to live in Australia for a limited period. Parents can stay in the country for up to five years, providing valuable help and support to their family.
The 870 visa requires that the holder’s sponsors meet specific eligibility requirements, including a financial capacity to support their parents and ensure they have suitable accommodation whilst living here. It is also subject to condition 8501 which requires OVHC insurance be purchased for each family member for the duration of their stay in Australia. Holders of the visa are not eligible for Medicare, so private health insurance for medical expenses and treatment is mandatory.
Bridging Visa
An Australian Bridging Visa allows individuals to remain in the country lawfully while they await a decision on their immigration status, such as a visa application or an appeal.
There are several bridging visas, with the most common being:
1. Bridging Visa A (BVA): For individuals currently in Australia and applying for another type of visa. The BVA lets them stay in Australia while their application is processed. Depending on their circumstances, BVA holders may be given work rights.
2. Bridging Visa B (BVB): For individuals holding a BVA who need to leave Australia temporarily. A BVB lets the holder travel overseas and return while their immigration matter is being processed.
3. Bridging Visa C (BVC): For individuals who are in Australia unlawfully and wish to apply for a lawful visa. A BVC typically allows the holder to remain in the country with limited rights while their application is being considered.
Applicants on bridging visas are subject to condition 8501 and therefore must secure OVHC or sufficient private health insurance to cover medical treatment and expenses whilst in the country. It is also likely that the new visa they are applying for will require OVHC as a condition of its approval.
