Secure Your Health as You Explore
Get the Best OVHC

Health insurance that provides sufficient coverage is mandatory for a range of work and visitor visas. For specific subclasses of visas, applicants are obligated to show proof of purchasing acceptable OVHC during the visa application process and remain covered for the entire duration of their stay in Australia.

After applying for overseas visitor insurance, you will receive an email containing your health insurance visa letter, which will support your visa application. When purchasing a health insurance policy, it is crucial to include a valid email address to ensure that you receive this important letter.

The payment options for your overseas visitor insurance may vary depending on the insurance provider you choose. Some providers may offer payment plans such as weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly. It is important to check with your chosen provider regarding their available payment options to find the plan that works best for you.

Yes. The OVHC purchased for certain visa category will meet 8501 condition,which reads "The holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while the holder is in Australia".In Australia, visitors are accountable for any healthcare debts they may accrue. Medicare access is generally not granted to foreign visitors, which implies that they must bear the expenses of all healthcare services provided by medical, hospital, or para-medical practitioners, regardless of whether the treatments are conducted in a public or private hospital. To avoid any unexpected medical or hospitalization costs during their stay in Australia, visitors are advised to secure private health insurance policies, regardless of whether it is a visa requirement.

• Public hospital

Under OVHC, you can choose to receive public or private hospital treatment based on your policy. With a visa compliant policy, you'll receive at least the same coverage as an Australian through public treatment. Private treatment is possible if your insurer has an agreement with certain hospitals. Be aware of policy exclusions as they vary.

• Ambulance services

Ambulance cover is generally included in OVHC policies if it's considered medically necessary by the ambulance service, but it's crucial to clarify with your provider to avoid undesired expenses.

The waiting period is the duration during which you have to wait before making a claim on your insurance policy. The waiting period starts from the date your policy becomes effective and the length of the waiting period may vary depending on the type of coverage you have chosen. In the case of health insurance in Australia, the waiting period typically begins when you arrive in Australia or when you are granted your visa, whichever happens later. It is important to note that during the waiting period, you will not be able to make any claims, unless it is for an emergency medical condition that occurs after your policy has started. Therefore, it is recommended that you carefully read through your policy documents and understand the waiting period and other terms and conditions of your policy to ensure you are fully aware of your coverage.

The type of visa you are applying for or holding determines the type of health insurance coverage you will require. For example, if you are an international student holding a student visa, you are required to provide evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as part of your visa application. However, if you are a student guardian, you need to show evidence of Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC). It is important to note that when you transition from a student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), you will also need to switch from OSHC to OVHC to meet visa condition 8501 as your OSHC will not provide coverage for the Temporary Graduate visa. Therefore, it is essential to understand the health insurance requirements for different visa conditions and make sure you have the appropriate coverage. This will ensure that you are adequately covered and can avoid any unexpected expenses related to your health during your stay in Australia.

No. When applying for a 485 visa, it is essential to provide evidence that you have adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Australia. This evidence of OVHC should be included in your visa application to avoid any potential delays or complications.