If you are applying for or hold a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), you need suitable health insurance for your stay in Australia. Many international graduates transition from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) when moving from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa.
OVHC is designed for eligible temporary residents and can provide benefits towards healthcare expenses such as hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines, depending on the insurer and policy selected.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can compare 485 visa health insurance options from leading Australian insurers, including Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, nib and AIA, and review important policy features before choosing cover.
485 visa health insurance policies can differ in price, hospital and medical benefits, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions. When comparing cover, consider:
The cheapest 485 visa health insurance policy may not necessarily provide the most suitable cover. Consider your healthcare needs, budget and the benefits available under each policy before making a decision.
Compare the available 485 Visa Health Insurance options below.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows eligible international graduates to remain temporarily in Australia after completing their studies. During this period, graduates may work, gain professional experience and continue living in Australia while considering their longer-term plans.
Health insurance for a subclass 485 visa is different from the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) generally held while studying on a Student Visa (Subclass 500). When moving from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa, many graduates need to transition to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or another suitable form of health insurance.
OVHC is designed for eligible temporary residents and can provide benefits towards hospital treatment, medical services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines, depending on the policy selected.
When comparing 485 visa health insurance, consider not only the premium but also the level of hospital and medical cover, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Applicants for a Temporary Graduate Visa need to have adequate arrangements for health insurance in Australia. This is important both when applying for the visa and while remaining in Australia as a temporary graduate.
The type of health insurance appropriate for you will depend on your circumstances. For many graduates who previously held a Student Visa, this means moving from OSHC to an appropriate OVHC policy.
When choosing health insurance for your 485 visa, check:
You should also ensure that your health insurance remains continuous where required and keep evidence of your cover.
One of the most important health insurance considerations for international graduates is the transition from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
OSHC is specifically designed for international students holding a Student Visa (Subclass 500). When you move to a Temporary Graduate Visa, your health insurance needs change because you are no longer relying on student-specific health cover for your new temporary visa circumstances.
Many graduates therefore arrange OVHC when applying for their subclass 485 visa.
It is important to consider your health insurance arrangements before your OSHC ends.
If you are applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa while your Student Visa is still valid, check when your existing OSHC expires and when your new OVHC should commence.
The aim should be to avoid an unintended gap in appropriate health insurance while transitioning between visa types.
You may be able to remain with the same health insurance company if it offers both OSHC and suitable OVHC products.
However, you are not necessarily required to choose the same insurer. You can compare OVHC options from different providers and select a policy that is appropriate for your Temporary Graduate Visa circumstances.
This is a useful opportunity to compare:
Changing from OSHC to OVHC does not mean you should automatically select the OVHC product offered by your existing student health insurer.
If your OSHC remains active while you are transitioning from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa, you should check with your insurer about your coverage and the appropriate timing for changing to OVHC.
The important point is to ensure you have health insurance that is appropriate for your visa circumstances and that you avoid an unintended gap in cover.
Health insurance for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) holders can provide benefits towards a range of healthcare services while you live and work in Australia. The exact benefits depend on the insurer and level of Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) selected.
When comparing 485 visa health insurance, consider both what the policy covers and the costs you may still need to pay yourself.
Depending on the policy selected, 485 visa health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible treatment when you are admitted to hospital.
Hospital cover may include benefits towards eligible accommodation, theatre fees and treatment associated with covered medical procedures.
Hospital excesses, co-payments, waiting periods, exclusions and restrictions may apply. Before selecting a policy, check the level of hospital cover and any costs you may need to contribute if you are admitted.
OVHC may provide benefits towards eligible services provided by doctors and medical specialists.
Medical benefits are commonly calculated with reference to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). If your doctor or specialist charges more than the benefit payable under your policy, you may need to pay the difference yourself.
If you expect to visit doctors or specialists regularly, compare the medical benefits offered by different 485 visa health insurance policies.
Many OVHC policies for Temporary Graduate Visa holders include benefits for eligible emergency ambulance services.
Ambulance services can be expensive in Australia, so check whether emergency ambulance transport is included in your policy, whether any limits apply and the circumstances in which benefits are payable.
Depending on the policy selected, 485 visa health insurance may provide benefits towards certain eligible prescription medicines.
Insurers may apply limits to the amount payable for each prescription as well as annual benefit limits. If you regularly use prescription medicines, compare these benefits carefully when choosing cover.
A pre-existing medical condition may be subject to a waiting period before you can claim benefits for treatment associated with that condition.
The definition of a pre-existing condition, applicable waiting periods and benefits can vary between insurers and policies.
Before purchasing cover, check:
This is particularly important if you have an existing condition that may require treatment while you are living in Australia.
Standard OVHC generally focuses on hospital and medical services. Dental, optical, physiotherapy and other general treatment services may not be included unless you purchase an appropriate extras policy or select a product that includes these benefits.
If you want extras cover, compare:
Extras cover is generally optional and should be considered separately from the core health insurance you require for your visa circumstances.
485 visa health insurance does not necessarily pay for every healthcare service or the full amount charged by a healthcare provider.
Depending on your policy, you may have to pay some or all of the cost of:
Always review the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and relevant policy documentation before purchasing cover. This will help you understand the benefits, waiting periods, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses associated with the policy.
When comparing health insurance for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), the monthly premium is important, but it should not be the only factor in your decision. OVHC policies can differ in hospital and medical benefits, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket costs.
When comparing 485 visa health insurance, consider:
Comparing these features alongside price can help you choose cover that better suits your healthcare needs and budget while living and working in Australia.
Not necessarily. A lower premium can be attractive, particularly for recent graduates managing living expenses, but the cheapest policy may provide different benefits, excesses or restrictions from other available policies.
Before choosing solely on price, compare what you receive for the premium.
For example, consider whether a policy with a slightly higher premium provides:
The aim should be to find an appropriate balance between price, benefits and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
A hospital excess is an amount you may need to contribute when you receive eligible hospital treatment, depending on your policy.
Some policies may offer a lower premium with a higher excess, while others may charge a higher premium but have a lower excess.
When comparing 485 visa health insurance, look at both:
How much the policy costs regularly
and
how much you could need to pay if you are admitted to hospital.
This gives you a better picture of the overall cost of the policy.
Temporary Graduate Visa holders can have very different healthcare needs.
If you are generally healthy and primarily want protection against unexpected hospital and medical expenses, your priorities may differ from someone who regularly visits doctors, takes prescription medicines or requires ongoing treatment.
Consider:
This can help you narrow down the available policies rather than selecting cover based on price alone.
485 visa applicants may need health insurance for themselves or for accompanying family members.
Depending on the insurer, policies may be available for:
If your partner or dependent children are included in your visa arrangements, check whether they need to be included in your health insurance and compare the cost and benefits of the appropriate level of cover.
Family circumstances can significantly affect premiums, so make sure you are comparing equivalent policy types between insurers.
Several Australian health insurers offer Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) suitable for eligible Temporary Graduate Visa holders.
At 8501 Health Insurance, your 485 comparison includes options from:
Allianz Care offers OVHC options for eligible Temporary Graduate Visa holders. When comparing Allianz Care, consider hospital and medical benefits, emergency ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, excesses and applicable exclusions.
Bupa offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover for eligible temporary residents, including subclass 485 visa holders. Compare the available level of hospital and medical cover, ambulance benefits, waiting periods, excesses and other policy features.
Medibank provides Overseas Visitor Health Cover options for eligible temporary residents. Temporary Graduate Visa holders can compare Medibank's relevant policy features, including hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, waiting periods and excesses.
nib offers health insurance options for eligible temporary visa holders, including subclass 485 graduates. Consider the relevant hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, waiting periods, excesses and policy exclusions when comparing nib with other providers.
AIA offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover options for eligible temporary residents, including Temporary Graduate Visa holders. Compare the applicable hospital and medical benefits, emergency ambulance cover, waiting periods, excesses and other policy conditions before choosing cover.
Different insurers can offer different premiums and policy features for Temporary Graduate Visa holders.
Rather than selecting an insurer based only on brand or price, compare the products shown in the table above based on the benefits and features that matter to you.
Yes. Applicants for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) need to have adequate arrangements for health insurance in Australia. Appropriate health insurance should also be maintained while required under your visa conditions.
Many Temporary Graduate Visa holders use Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC). OVHC is designed for eligible temporary residents and may provide benefits towards hospital treatment, medical services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines, depending on the policy selected.
When choosing cover, make sure the policy is appropriate for your subclass 485 visa circumstances.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is designed primarily for international students holding a Student Visa (Subclass 500). When transitioning to a Temporary Graduate Visa, many graduates arrange suitable OVHC for their new visa circumstances.
If your OSHC is still active while your 485 application is being processed, check with your insurer about when you should transition to an appropriate OVHC policy.
If you are moving from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa, you should consider your health insurance arrangements before your existing OSHC ends.
Check the expiry date of your OSHC and the commencement date of your OVHC to avoid an unintended gap in appropriate health insurance.
Depending on the policy selected, 485 visa health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines.
Waiting periods, excesses, exclusions, restrictions and benefit limits may apply.
The cheapest 485 health insurance can vary between insurers and policies. Premiums can also change over time and depend on the type of cover required.
Rather than comparing price alone, consider hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, hospital excesses and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Health insurance options for eligible Temporary Graduate Visa holders are available from providers including Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, nib and AIA.
The available products, premiums and benefits can differ between providers, so comparing the policies side by side can help you identify suitable cover for your circumstances.
Pre-existing medical conditions may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions. The definition of a pre-existing condition and applicable waiting periods can differ between insurers.
If you have an existing medical condition, review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and policy documentation before purchasing cover.
Depending on the insurer and your circumstances, couple and family OVHC options may be available. If your partner or dependent children are included in your visa arrangements, check the appropriate health insurance requirements and compare the available couple or family policies.
You may be able to change health insurance providers while holding a Temporary Graduate Visa. Before switching, check how waiting periods, previous membership and existing healthcare needs will be treated and ensure you do not create an unintended gap in appropriate cover.
