If you are travelling to Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), having suitable health insurance can help protect you against unexpected hospital and medical expenses during your stay.
Most overseas visitors are responsible for their own healthcare costs while in Australia unless they are eligible for Medicare under specific arrangements. In addition, some Visitor Visa holders may have Visa Condition 8501, requiring them to maintain adequate health insurance while they are in Australia.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is designed for eligible overseas visitors 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 policy selected.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can compare Visitor Visa health insurance options from Australian insurers and review important policy features before choosing cover for your stay.
Visitor health insurance policies can differ in price, benefits, waiting periods and exclusions. When comparing cover for a subclass 600 visa, consider:
The cheapest Visitor Visa health insurance policy may not necessarily provide the most suitable level of cover. Your age, length of stay, healthcare needs and existing medical conditions can all influence which policy is appropriate for you.
Compare the available Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) health insurance options below.
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows eligible people to visit Australia for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or undertaking certain permitted business visitor activities. Depending on the stream and individual circumstances, visitors may be granted different periods of stay.
Healthcare in Australia can be expensive for overseas visitors who are not eligible for Medicare. Without appropriate private health insurance, you may need to pay the full cost of hospital treatment, doctor consultations, specialist services, ambulance transport and other healthcare expenses yourself.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is private health insurance designed for eligible overseas visitors and temporary visa holders. Depending on the policy selected, it may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, medical services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines.
When choosing health insurance for a Visitor Visa, consider your age, intended length of stay, healthcare needs, existing medical conditions and the level of financial protection you want during your visit to Australia.
Health insurance is not automatically mandatory for every Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) holder. However, some subclass 600 visas may be granted with Visa Condition 8501, which requires the visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
You should check your visa grant letter or visa conditions to determine whether Condition 8501 applies to you.
Even where Condition 8501 is not attached to the visa, appropriate health insurance can still be important because many overseas visitors are not eligible for Medicare and may otherwise be responsible for their healthcare costs in Australia.
If Condition 8501 is attached to your Visitor Visa, you are required to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while you are in Australia.
When selecting a policy, check that the cover is appropriate for your visa circumstances and understand important features such as:
You should maintain appropriate cover for the period required by your visa conditions and keep evidence of your health insurance.
If Condition 8501 is not attached to your Visitor Visa, you may still choose private visitor health insurance to protect yourself against unexpected healthcare expenses.
A hospital admission or medical emergency can result in substantial costs, particularly for visitors who do not have access to Medicare. Private health insurance can provide benefits towards eligible treatment according to the terms of the policy selected.
The level of cover you choose can therefore depend on your healthcare needs, budget and the amount of financial protection you want during your stay in Australia.
Holding a Visitor Visa does not automatically give you access to Medicare.
Some overseas visitors may have limited Medicare eligibility because Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with certain countries. Eligibility and the healthcare services available depend on the visitor's circumstances and the applicable agreement.
Even where a visitor has some Medicare access, it may not cover every healthcare expense. Private health insurance may therefore still be useful for services or costs not covered by Medicare.
Visitors who are unsure about their Medicare eligibility should check their circumstances before relying on Medicare as their only form of healthcare protection.
The benefits provided by health insurance for Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) holders vary between insurers and policies. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) can provide benefits towards eligible healthcare expenses during your stay in Australia, but the amount covered and applicable limits depend on the policy you select.
When comparing visitor health insurance, it is important to understand what is included, what waiting periods apply and what expenses you may still need to pay yourself.
Depending on the policy selected, Visitor Visa health insurance 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. The amount paid by your insurer can depend on the hospital, treatment and policy selected.
Hospital excesses, co-payments, waiting periods, exclusions and restrictions may apply, so these should be checked before purchasing cover.
Visitor health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible consultations and treatment provided by doctors and medical specialists.
Medical benefits are often calculated with reference to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). If your healthcare provider charges more than the benefit payable under your policy, you may need to pay the difference yourself.
Visitors who expect to see doctors or specialists regularly should compare these benefits carefully.
Many visitor health insurance policies provide benefits for eligible emergency ambulance services.
Ambulance services can be expensive in Australia, and Medicare does not provide universal ambulance cover. Check whether your policy includes emergency ambulance transport, what circumstances are covered and whether any benefit limits apply.
Depending on the policy selected, benefits may be available 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 take medication, check these limits when comparing policies.
Not every medication or the full cost of a prescription will necessarily be covered.
Visitors with existing medical conditions should pay particular attention to how each insurer treats pre-existing conditions.
A waiting period may apply before benefits are payable for treatment relating to a pre-existing condition. The definition of a pre-existing condition and applicable waiting periods can differ between policies.
Before purchasing cover, check:
This can be particularly important for older visitors or people planning a longer stay in Australia.
Standard visitor health insurance generally focuses on hospital and medical treatment. Services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy may require an appropriate extras policy or a product that specifically includes these benefits.
If you want extras cover, compare the additional premium as well as waiting periods, annual limits and individual service benefits.
Visitor health insurance does not necessarily cover every healthcare expense you incur in Australia.
Depending on the policy selected, you may have to pay some or all of the cost of:
Before purchasing a policy, carefully review the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and related policy documents to understand the benefits, waiting periods, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
When comparing health insurance for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), price is important, but it should not be the only factor you consider. Visitor health insurance policies can differ in hospital benefits, medical benefits, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and the amount you may need to pay yourself when receiving treatment.
When comparing policies, consider:
The cheapest Visitor Visa health insurance policy may not necessarily provide the best value for your circumstances. Consider the level of cover provided as well as the premium.
Healthcare requirements can vary considerably between visitors. A younger traveller visiting Australia for a short holiday may have very different needs from an older parent staying with family for several months.
When comparing cover, consider whether you:
Choosing a policy based on your individual circumstances can help you find a more appropriate balance between cost and benefits.
The length of your visit can also influence your health insurance needs.
Someone visiting Australia for a relatively short period may prioritise protection against unexpected hospital and emergency medical expenses. A visitor staying for a longer period may place greater importance on doctor benefits, prescription medicines and other healthcare services.
Make sure your policy commencement and end dates appropriately cover the period for which you require insurance.
Some visitor health insurance policies require you to pay an excess when you are admitted to hospital.
A policy with a higher excess may have a lower premium, while another policy may cost more but require a smaller contribution when eligible hospital treatment is needed.
When comparing policies, consider both the regular premium and the potential amount you may need to pay if you actually use your hospital cover.
Having health insurance does not necessarily mean every eligible healthcare service will be fully paid by the insurer.
For example, a doctor or specialist may charge more than the benefit payable under your policy. You may then need to pay the difference yourself.
Potential out-of-pocket expenses can also arise from:
Understanding these costs before purchasing cover can help you make a more informed comparison.
If Visa Condition 8501 is attached to your subclass 600 visa, price should not be your only consideration.
You should make sure the health insurance you select is appropriate for the health insurance requirement attached to your visa and maintain adequate cover for the required period.
Check your visa grant letter or visa conditions and review the insurer's policy documentation before purchasing cover.
Many subclass 600 visa holders travel to Australia to spend time with their children and other family members. For parents—particularly those planning a longer stay—healthcare needs may be different from those of short-term tourists.
When comparing health insurance for parents visiting Australia, consider:
A lower premium may be attractive, but broader benefits or lower potential out-of-pocket costs may be more important for a parent who expects to use healthcare services during their stay.
Several Australian health insurers offer Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) options that may be suitable for eligible Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) holders.
The products available can differ in price, hospital benefits, medical benefits, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions. If Visa Condition 8501 applies to your visa, you should also ensure the policy you select is appropriate for that requirement.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can compare available Visitor Visa health insurance options side by side using the comparison table above.
Bupa offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover options for eligible visitors to Australia, including products that may be suitable for subclass 600 visa holders.
When comparing Bupa cover, consider hospital treatment benefits, doctor and specialist benefits, emergency ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions.
The appropriate level of cover will depend on your healthcare needs, intended length of stay and whether you have specific health insurance requirements attached to your visa.
Medibank offers health insurance options for eligible overseas visitors, including cover that may be suitable for Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) holders.
When considering Medibank, compare the relevant policy's hospital and medical benefits, emergency ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, excesses and policy exclusions.
Visitors should also consider their age, existing healthcare needs and intended length of stay when deciding whether a particular level of cover is appropriate.
Allianz Care offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover for eligible visitors and temporary visa holders in Australia, including products that may be suitable for subclass 600 visa holders.
When comparing Allianz Care, consider the level of hospital and medical cover provided, emergency ambulance benefits, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, hospital excesses and applicable policy exclusions.
If Condition 8501 applies to your visa, check that the particular policy selected is appropriate for your visa circumstances.
Different insurers can provide different levels of cover even when their policies are designed for the same visa subclass.
When comparing providers, consider:
The comparison table above allows you to compare available 600 Visitor Visa health insurance options and consider both price and policy features before choosing cover.
Health insurance is not automatically mandatory for every Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) holder. However, some subclass 600 visas may have Visa Condition 8501, which requires the visa holder to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia. You should check your visa grant letter to confirm the conditions attached to your visa.
There is no single policy that is best for every visitor. The most suitable policy depends on factors such as your age, length of stay, healthcare needs, existing medical conditions, budget and whether Visa Condition 8501 applies to your visa. Compare both the premium and policy benefits before choosing cover.
The cheapest policy can vary depending on the insurer, level of cover and your circumstances. While price is important, you should also compare hospital cover, medical benefits, ambulance cover, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions. The lowest-priced policy may not always provide the most suitable level of cover.
Some visitor health insurance policies may be suitable where Visa Condition 8501 applies, but you should not assume that every policy meets your particular visa requirements. Check your visa conditions and confirm that the policy you select provides appropriate health insurance for your circumstances.
Depending on the policy selected, Visitor Visa health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines. Waiting periods, exclusions, excesses and benefit limits may apply.
Pre-existing medical conditions may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions. How a pre-existing condition is assessed and when benefits become available can vary between insurers. If you have an existing medical condition, carefully review the relevant policy terms before purchasing cover.
Yes. Eligible parents visiting Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) can purchase suitable visitor health insurance. When comparing cover for parents, it can be particularly important to consider age, existing medical conditions, prescription medicines, hospital benefits and applicable waiting periods.
Holding a Visitor Visa does not automatically provide Medicare eligibility. Some visitors may have limited access to Medicare under Australia's Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, depending on their country and individual circumstances. Visitors should check their Medicare eligibility rather than assuming they are covered.
You may be able to change health insurance providers while in Australia. Before switching, check how waiting periods and transferred membership are treated and make sure you do not unintentionally create a gap in cover, particularly if Visa Condition 8501 applies to your visa.
You should generally arrange cover for the period during which you want health insurance protection in Australia. If Visa Condition 8501 is attached to your visa, you must maintain adequate health insurance for the period required by that condition.
