While we're unable to point you to a single best OVHC policy – since everyone's health needs differ – we can make choosing one easier. We picked 4 Overseas Visitor Health Cover policies based on factors such as price, services, visa requirements and popularity.
Best OVHC: Finder top picks
Workers: Allianz Care Australia Budget Working Cover
At around $77.25 per month, it was one of the most affordable policies available on Finder
It offers two excess options: $0 and $500
It meets the 8501 visa requirement
It's underwritten by Peoplecare Health Limited which had a better complaints record than other providers we looked at, such as Frank (underwritten by GMHBA), according to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. It was only slightly more expensive than Frank but comes with a larger medical repatriation limit ($20,000 compared to Frank's $10,000).
It was the cheapest OVHC policy available on Finder that also meets visa requirements (condition 8501)
Policies start from $64.50 per month
There are cheaper policies available on the market but they only cover visitors and do not meet the 8501 visa requirement. Frank Basic Workers policy covers those on worker visas as well and comes with inclusions such as emergency ambulance, cancer treatment, pharmaceuticals, funeral expenses and repatriation.
Students: Medibank Essential Overseas Student Health
It meets student visa health insurance requirements (for all course types)
It was the most visited Finder partner on our site between March 2020 and March 2021.
It had the highest percentage of members of all Australian health funds, according to the Commonwealth Ombudsman's State of the Health Funds Report
The Medibank's Essential Overseas Student Health policy covers 39 health services including ear, nose and throat, tonsils, adenoids and grommets, and sleep studies. At $44.75 per month, it is also one of the cheapest overseas student policies available on Finder. It also comes with a 24/7 nurse telephone service.
Short stays: Medibank Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical
It's the cheapest OVHC policy available on Finder at $51 per month
Medibank Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical is designed for short stay visitors on visas such as the 188, 400, 417, 462, 489, 600, 601 and 651 who don't require health cover for visa purposes (condition 8501), but want a good level of protection. It covers the basics such as ambulance transportation and GP visits as well as more complex services including diabetes management and heart and vascular treatment. It also comes with a 24/7 nurse telephone service.
Being Canadian, before gaining permanent residency I did not have access to medicare, so OVHC was really important. Not to mention it was a requirement of my working visa. It covered me for things that Medicare would typically cover, including doctor's visits, specialist appointments and even knee surgery. Over the course of the 4 years I had this policy, I saved roughly $15,000 on health expenses.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
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