If you are applying for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870), you need to maintain adequate health insurance while you are in Australia. The subclass 870 visa is subject to Visa Condition 8501, which requires visa holders to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance during their stay.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) can provide suitable private health insurance for eligible subclass 870 visa holders. Depending on the insurer and policy selected, cover may include benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and prescription medicines.
Because Sponsored Parent Visa holders may stay in Australia for an extended period, it is important to compare more than just the premium. Hospital benefits, waiting periods, pre-existing condition rules, excesses, medical benefits and prescription medicine limits can all affect the overall value of a policy.
Use the comparison table below to compare 870 Sponsored Parent Visa health insurance options from Australian health insurers and choose cover appropriate for your healthcare needs and visa requirements
The cost and benefits of health insurance can vary depending on the insurer, policy selected and individual circumstances. When comparing 870 visa health insurance, consider:
The cheapest policy may not necessarily provide the most suitable cover, particularly for parents who have ongoing healthcare needs or expect to stay in Australia for several years.
Compare the available 870 visa health insurance options below.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to spend an extended period with their family in Australia.
Unlike permanent parent visas, the subclass 870 is a temporary visa. While staying in Australia, visa holders need to consider how they will pay for hospital and medical treatment, particularly where they do not have access to Medicare.
For subclass 870 visa holders, health insurance is particularly important because the visa is subject to Visa Condition 8501, which requires the holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is designed for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents. Depending on the policy selected, it can provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, medical services, emergency ambulance transport and prescription medicines.
Because parents may have different healthcare requirements, the most appropriate policy will depend on factors such as age, existing medical conditions, expected healthcare use, waiting periods, policy exclusions and the level of hospital and medical benefits provided.
Visa Condition 8501 requires the visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) is among the Australian visas to which Condition 8501 applies.
For an 870 visa holder, this means appropriate health insurance should be maintained throughout the relevant period in Australia rather than simply purchasing a policy for the purpose of obtaining the visa and then cancelling it.
When selecting health insurance, you should therefore check that the policy is appropriate for your visa circumstances and understand:
You should also keep evidence of your health insurance policy and ensure your cover remains current while you are required to maintain adequate health insurance.
Adequate health insurance is intended to provide an appropriate level of private health cover for temporary visa holders while they are in Australia.
The level of cover considered adequate can include benefits towards hospital treatment, medical services and other healthcare expenses, subject to applicable requirements and policy conditions.
Importantly, adequate health insurance does not mean that every medical expense will be fully covered. Depending on the policy and healthcare provider, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses.
For this reason, subclass 870 visa holders should not compare policies based solely on whether they are suitable for Condition 8501. It is also important to compare the actual benefits, waiting periods, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket costs associated with each policy.
The benefits provided by health insurance for Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) holders vary between insurers and policies. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) generally focuses on hospital and medical treatment, but the amount you can claim and the services covered depend on the policy you choose.
When comparing 870 visa health insurance, it is important to understand both what is covered and what costs you may still need to pay yourself.
Depending on the policy selected, OVHC may provide benefits towards eligible treatment when you are admitted to hospital.
Hospital benefits may include eligible accommodation, theatre fees and treatment associated with covered medical procedures. However, restrictions, exclusions, waiting periods, excesses and co-payments may apply.
Before choosing a policy, check whether there are differences in benefits for treatment received in public and private hospitals and whether the insurer has agreements with particular hospitals.
870 visa health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible services provided by doctors and medical specialists, both in and outside hospital, depending on the policy.
Benefits for medical services are commonly linked to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). If your doctor or specialist charges more than the benefit payable under your policy, you may have to pay the difference yourself.
For parents who expect to see doctors or specialists regularly, this can be an important feature to compare between policies.
Many OVHC policies include benefits for eligible emergency ambulance services.
Ambulance costs can be significant in Australia, so Sponsored Parent Visa holders should check whether emergency ambulance transport is included, whether there are any limits and what circumstances are covered under the policy.
Some OVHC policies provide benefits towards eligible prescription medicines.
The amount payable can vary considerably between policies. Insurers may apply a maximum benefit per prescription as well as annual limits on the total amount that can be claimed.
If you regularly take prescription medicines, compare these benefits carefully rather than assuming that all medication costs will be covered.
This is particularly important when comparing health insurance for parents.
A pre-existing condition may be subject to a waiting period before benefits become payable. Waiting periods can also apply to certain treatments and services regardless of whether the condition existed before the policy commenced.
Before selecting an 870 visa health insurance policy, check:
A lower-priced policy may not necessarily be the most appropriate option if you expect to require regular treatment or have existing healthcare needs.
Standard OVHC generally focuses on hospital and medical treatment. Services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy may not be included unless you purchase an appropriate extras policy or a product that specifically includes those benefits.
If these services are important to you, compare the available extras options separately and check annual limits, waiting periods and individual service limits.
Health insurance does not necessarily cover every healthcare expense incurred while you are in Australia.
Depending on the insurer and policy selected, you may have to pay some or all of the cost of:
Always review the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and policy documentation before purchasing cover so you understand the benefits, exclusions, waiting periods and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
When comparing health insurance for a Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870), it is important to look beyond the monthly premium. Policies can differ significantly in the benefits they provide, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and the amount you may need to pay yourself when receiving treatment.
For parents planning to stay in Australia for an extended period, consider the following factors when comparing policies:
The cheapest 870 visa health insurance policy may not necessarily provide the best value for every parent. A policy with a higher premium may provide benefits or features that are more appropriate for someone who expects to use healthcare services regularly.
Hospital cover is one of the most important areas to examine when comparing OVHC.
Check which hospital treatments are included, whether restrictions or exclusions apply, what excess you may need to pay when admitted to hospital, and whether the insurer has arrangements with particular hospitals.
Two policies with similar premiums can provide different hospital benefits, so comparing the details rather than simply the price can help reduce unexpected costs later.
If you have an existing medical condition or expect to require ongoing medical treatment while in Australia, carefully review the policy's rules concerning pre-existing conditions and waiting periods.
You should also consider how frequently you expect to visit doctors or specialists and whether you regularly use prescription medicines.
Health insurance cannot necessarily remove all out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, but selecting cover that better reflects your anticipated healthcare needs can provide greater financial protection during your stay.
A lower premium can sometimes be associated with a higher hospital excess or different benefit levels.
The excess is an amount you may need to contribute towards eligible hospital treatment under the terms of your policy. Other out-of-pocket costs may arise where a doctor, specialist or hospital charges more than the benefit payable by your insurer.
When comparing 870 visa health insurance, consider both:
What you pay for the policy
and
What you may have to pay when you use it.
This provides a more meaningful comparison than looking at the premium alone.
Sponsored Parent Visa holders may have different healthcare needs from younger temporary visa holders. Age, existing medical conditions, regular medications and the likelihood of requiring medical or hospital treatment can all influence which policy is most appropriate.
When choosing health insurance for an older parent, it may be useful to pay particular attention to:
You should not assume that the most expensive policy will automatically be the most suitable either. The aim is to choose cover that provides an appropriate balance between premium, benefits and your parent's expected healthcare needs.
Before purchasing a policy, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and other policy documents carefully so you understand what is and is not covered.
Several Australian health insurers offer Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) options that may be suitable for eligible Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) holders.
The availability of cover, premiums and policy benefits can vary between insurers. This is why it is important to compare the actual products available for the subclass 870 visa rather than assuming that every OVHC policy is suitable.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can compare relevant health insurance options and review important policy features before choosing cover.
Bupa offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover options for eligible temporary visa holders, including cover that may be suitable for Sponsored Parent Visa holders.
When considering Bupa Health Insurance for a subclass 870 visa, compare the available hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, excesses and other policy conditions.
Medibank provides Overseas Visitor Health Cover for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents in Australia.
Subclass 870 visa holders considering Medibank Health Insurance should compare the relevant policy's hospital and medical benefits, waiting periods, prescription medicine benefits, excesses and exclusions, particularly where the parent has ongoing healthcare needs.
Allianz Care offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover products for eligible temporary visa holders in Australia.
If Allianz Care Health Insurance is available for your subclass 870 circumstances, review the level of hospital and medical cover, emergency ambulance benefits, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and other policy conditions before purchasing.
Health insurers can offer different levels of cover even when their products are intended for the same visa subclass. Premiums can also vary depending on factors such as the policy selected and the people being covered.
Rather than choosing an insurer based solely on brand or price, compare:
The comparison table above can help you review the available 870 Sponsored Parent Visa health insurance options side by side.
Learn more about Visa Condition 8501, including what adequate health insurance means and why eligible temporary visa holders need to maintain appropriate cover while in Australia.
If your parents are visiting Australia on a Visitor Visa rather than a Sponsored Parent Visa, explore our Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Health Insurance page to understand and compare suitable health insurance options.
Yes. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) is subject to Visa Condition 8501, which requires visa holders to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is commonly used by eligible temporary visa holders in Australia. For a subclass 870 visa, you should choose a policy that is suitable for your visa circumstances and provides an appropriate level of health cover.
Yes. As Condition 8501 applies to the subclass 870 visa, the visa holder needs to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia. Before purchasing a policy, check that the selected cover is appropriate for your visa requirements.
Depending on the policy selected, cover may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines. Benefits, exclusions, excesses, limits and waiting periods vary between policies.
Pre-existing conditions may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions. The rules can vary between insurers, so parents with existing medical conditions should carefully check the insurer's definition of a pre-existing condition, applicable waiting periods and policy benefits before purchasing cover.
Health insurance options for eligible subclass 870 visa holders are available from insurers including Bupa, Medibank and Allianz Care. The policies and benefits available can differ between insurers, so comparing the available options can help you choose suitable cover.
Not necessarily. Price is important, but Sponsored Parent Visa holders should also compare hospital benefits, medical benefits, waiting periods, prescription medicine limits, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses. A cheaper policy may not always provide the most suitable level of cover for your healthcare needs.
You may be able to change health insurers, but you should ensure that you continue to maintain appropriate health insurance and avoid an unintended gap in cover. Before switching, check how the new insurer treats waiting periods, transferred membership and any existing healthcare needs.
Because Visa Condition 8501 requires adequate health insurance to be maintained while you are in Australia, you should ensure your appropriate health insurance remains in place for the period during which the condition applies.
Depending on the insurer and product, extras cover may be available for services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy. These services are generally separate from the core hospital and medical benefits of OVHC, so check the policy inclusions, waiting periods and benefit limits before purchasing extras.
