Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, known for its sunny weather, riverfront lifestyle, and outdoor culture. It offers a mix of modern city life and easy access to beaches and nature.
What Is the Best Overseas Visitor Health Insurance for Australia?
Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is a type of private health insurance designed specifically for people visiting Australia. It provides essential medical coverage so overseas visitors can access healthcare services without facing high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
OVHC typically covers doctor consultations, hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, and prescription medicines, depending on the policy selected. It also helps visitors meet Australian visa health insurance requirements, especially for visas with condition 8501, ensuring compliance while offering peace of mind throughout their stay in Australia.
Why do You need OVHC?
- Mandatory for Certain Visas: OVHC is required for many overseas visitors traveling to Australia on working and tourist visas, including Subclass 482, 485, and 600.
- Financial Protection: Helps you avoid costly medical bills in case of illness, injury, or emergency hospital visits.
- Access to Healthcare: Ensures you receive quality medical treatment while staying in Australia.
What is Medicare in Australia?
Australia’s Medicare is a public healthcare system offering subsidized or free medical services to its qualified residents. It is funded by the Australian government and offers access to public hospitals, doctors, and essential medical services. Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) does not offer coverage for visitors. To avoid large out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, travelers on Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) need to buy Overseas Visitor Health Insurance to cover medical expenses.
Is It Necessary to Buy Visitor Visa Health Insurance for Australia?
While health insurance is not compulsory for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) in Australia, Overseas Visitor Health Insurance is highly recommended due to the high cost of medical care for non-residents. Overseas visitor insurance offers coverage for doctor (General Physician) visits, emergency hospital treatment, ambulance services, limited prescription medications, some diagnostic tests (X-rays, blood tests, etc.)
What is Visa Condition 8501?
Visa Condition 8501 applies to many temporary Australian visas and requires visa holders to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia.
This condition ensures visitors can cover medical expenses such as hospital treatment, emergency care, and doctor consultations, as most overseas visitors are not eligible for Medicare.
Key Requirements
- Health insurance must be purchased before entering Australia.
- Valid proof of coverage must be provided to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
- Standard travel insurance does not meet the 8501 requirement.
American Visitor Insurance offers Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) plans that comply with Visa Condition 8501 and meet DHA regulations.
Why Visa Condition 8501 Matters for Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?
Visa Condition 8501 is mandatory for many Australian visas, including the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). This condition requires visa holders to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia. Failure to comply may result in visa refusal or cancellation.
Since most overseas visitors are not eligible for Medicare, the Australian government requires private health insurance—such as Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) to ensure visitors can cover medical expenses, hospital treatment, and emergencies without relying on public healthcare.
What Does “Adequate Health Insurance” Mean?
To meet Visa Condition 8501, your health insurance must provide sufficient medical coverage throughout your stay in Australia. Standard travel insurance does not meet this requirement.
- Start your OVHC policy before arriving in Australia.
- Maintain coverage for the entire duration of your visa.
- Avoid any gaps in coverage to remain compliant.
- Provide your insurance certificate during visa application or upon request by immigration authorities.
Purchasing a compliant OVHC plan in advance helps prevent visa delays, refusals, or cancellations and ensures peace of mind during your stay. At American Visitor Insurance, we offer OVHC plans that fully meet Visa Condition 8501 requirements.
How Much Does Overseas Visitor Health Insurance for Australia Cost?
Australians Overseas visitor visa health insurance cost ranges from $54 to $559 per month. The cost will vary depending on the age of the traveler, the type of coverage, the travel destination and the duration of travel.
The cost based on the duration of one month with $250 deductible.
| Plan Name | Plan Max Range | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot International Lite | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $54 - $72 | $117 - $140 | $207 |
| Safe Travels International Cost Saver | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $118 | $154 - $228 | $297 |
| Safe Travels International | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $104 - $146 | $226 - $335 | $398 - $559 |
| Patriot International Platinum | $2,000,000 - $8,000,000 | $112 - $153 | $239 - $285 | $418 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance ®
What Happens If I Do Not Meet the 8501 Visa Condition for Subclass 600?
If you fail to meet Visa Condition 8501 for the Subclass 600 (Visitor Visa), you may face serious consequences:
- Visa application denial – The Department of Home Affairs may reject your visa application due to non-compliance with health insurance requirements.
- Visa cancellation – If you are already in Australia and do not maintain valid health insurance, your visa may be cancelled, requiring you to leave the country.
- High medical costs - paid out of pocket public hospital treatment in Australia can be extremely expensive for uninsured visitors.
To avoid delays, refusals, or complications, ensure you purchase compliant health insurance before applying for your visa and maintain coverage for the entire duration of your stay.
American Visitor Insurance offers OVHC plans that fully meet Visa Condition 8501 requirements, helping ensure a smooth and compliant stay in Australia.
What Are the Famous Tourist Destinations in Australia?
Melbourne
Melbourne is a vibrant metropolitan city in Australia, well known for its arts, food scene, and cultural diversity. It is also famous for hosting major sports and international events.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s largest city, recognized worldwide for its natural harbor, iconic landmarks, and coastal beaches. It is a dynamic city combining urban life with scenic surroundings.
Australia Visitor Visa Health Insurance – FAQs
1. What is Overseas Visitor Health Insurance?
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is a health insurance for international visa holders in Australia, particularly for temporary residents, workers, and some visitors.
2. Do I need OVHC for an Australia visitor visa 600?
If the Visitor Visa 600 includes Visa Condition 8501, travelers must have OVHC for the entire duration of your stay. Even if not mandatory, having health insurance is recommended due to high medical costs in Australia.
3. What does OVHC cover?
Coverage varies by provider, but standard OVHC plans typically include:
- Doctor visits (General Practitioners)
- Hospitalization and emergency treatment
- Prescription medications
- Ambulance services
- Limited specialist consultations
4. Can I cancel OVHC if I leave Australia early?
Yes. Most OVHC providers allow you to cancel your policy if you leave Australia before the policy end date. You may be eligible for a partial refund for the unused period, subject to the insurer’s cancellation policy.
5. Which OVHC providers offer coverage for Visitor Visa 600?
IMG (International Medical Group) – Offers Patriot International Lite insurance and Patriot International Platinum insurance plans, covering medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation for visitors.
Trawick International – Provides Safe Travels International insurance and Safe Travels International Cost Saver insurance plans, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage, trip protection, and emergency assistance.
6. Can I use OVHC to meet my visa requirements?
Yes, most OVHC plans meet Visa Condition 8501, ensuring compliance with Australian visa regulations.
7. How do I purchase OVHC?
You can buy OVHC on American Visitor Insurance website. After purchase, you’ll receive a certificate of insurance, which can be submitted as proof for your visa application.
8. Can I cancel my OVHC policy if my visa is rejected?
Most insurers allow policy cancellations with a refund if your visa is denied, but refund policies vary. Always check the provider’s terms before purchasing.
9. Is OVHC required if I already have travel insurance?
Yes. Standard travel insurance does not meet Australian visa health insurance requirements. OVHC is specifically designed to comply with visa conditions like 8501, while travel insurance mainly covers trip-related issues.
What OVHC Does Not Cover?
While Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) provides essential medical protection, it does not cover everything. Understanding these limitations helps visitors avoid unexpected expenses:
- Pre-existing conditions may be subject to waiting periods or exclusions, depending on the insurer and policy.
- Pregnancy and maternity-related costs are often not covered unless an additional maternity option is purchased.
- Dental, optical, and physiotherapy services usually require optional “extras” cover.
- Prescription medications may have annual limits or co-payments based on the plan.