Unlike some other Australian visas, it's not a requirement for tourists to get health insurance for the 600 visa. However, just because it’s not mandatory, doesn’t mean you don’t need cover. The Department of Immigration strongly recommends private health insurance for anyone coming to Australia on a 600 visa. This is for two very important reasons:
Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is a type of health insurance designed specifically for visitors to Australia. It can cover you for:
Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system, and generally it only covers Australian citizens and permanent residents. Most visitors to Australia aren’t eligible, unless there is an Reciprocal Health Care Agreement in place. This means that if you are visiting Australia from any of the following countries, you may be partially covered by Medicare. Australia has an RHCA with the following countries:
While domestic health insurance policies have waiting periods before you can claim, they don't make sense for visitor, as you'll need coverage from the first day you arrive. As such, most visitor OVHC policies have zero waiting periods. That doesn't include pre-existing conditions though, which are never covered.
Just a quick note here - some of the student and working OVHC policies do have waiting period, especially for the more complex cover types. So if you were to somehow change from a visitor to a working visa (I don't know if that happens, I'm not an immigration lawyer) then you may have some waiting periods on your new policy.
Find out who is eligible for the 188 Business Visa, how much it costs, the health and financial requirements, and age restrictions.
Have you just got your permanent residency? See how you're covered for healthcare in Australia and compare your options today.
Looking for visa-compliant OVHC that covers you during your stay in Australia? Find out more about whether Bupa is right for you.
Everything you need to know about the health insurance requirements of the 417 visa and how to find the right cover.
If you incur medical or hospital expenses overseas, will your Australian private health insurance cover the cost? Find out here.
View a range of NIB overseas visitors health insurance policies.
If you’re in Australia on a bridging visa, it’s important that you choose a suitable level of private health insurance cover.
HIF Overseas Visitors Health Cover provide varying levels of hospital and extras cover that complies with visa requirements for those coming to Australia for work or leisure.
HCF Overseas Visitor Health Cover offers hospital and optional extras cover for overseas visitors who are eligible to work in Australia but who are not covered by Medicare.