Compare Overseas Visitor Health Cover

You'll need health cover for your life down under! Get cover for a whole bunch starting from around $54 a month! (all rhymes intended)

Overseas Visitors Health Cover
1 - 12 of 37
Product AUFHI-HEL Meets condition 8501 Hospital cover Dental Pregnancy cover GP visits Medical repatriation Price
Yes (Reduced benefits)
$50,000
From $74.50 per month
$20,000
From $66.40 per month
Yes (Reduced benefits)
$10,000
From $60 per month
$20,000
From $75 per month
From $81.95 per month
$20,000
From $100 per month
Yes (Reduced benefits)
$100,000
From $104 per month
$20,000
From $113.85 per month
$20,000
From $125 per month
Yes (Reduced benefits)
$100,000
From $142.50 per month
$20,000
From $183.70 per month
From $197.15 per month
$110,000
From $296 per month
$20,000
From $345.10 per month
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Key takeaways

  • It's likely you will be required to have health insurance when you come to Australia.
  • If you want cover for more than hospital care, look for options with a tick below GP visits and dental.
  • There are different levels of OVHC cover which affect the price you will pay - prices start from around $60 a month.

What is overseas visitors health cover?

Overseas visitors health cover (OVHC) is private health insurance designed specifically for people coming to Australia on a temporary visa. It's mandatory on some visas, but you may be exempt if you're a citizen of a country with a reciprocal health care agreement. If you're a student, you may need overseas student health cover.

OVHC can cover the following:

hospital

Hospital care

Cheaper policies will cover emergency ambulance rides and treatment in a hospital, plus accommodation fees. Other common services include cover for hernias, cancer and joint replacements.

general dental

Extras (out-of-hospital services)

Extras cover includes out-of-hospital care such as dental, optical, physiotherapy and chiropractic. Some more expensive OVHC policies will cover these treatments automatically. In other cases, you may need to take out a separate extras policy in addition to basic OVHC cover.

Doctor

Doctor's appointments

This is when you need to make an appointment at a doctor's clinic, known as a General Practitioner (GP) in Australia, because you're feeling unwell or have some other health issue that may require medication.

Medicine

Prescribed medicine

If you are on medication, it's likely worth getting a policy that will cover your prescriptions. Otherwise, medicine can be quite expensive in Australia.

plane

Repatriation

If you become seriously unwell or suffer a life-altering disability, most overseas visitor policies will pay to fly you home under medical supervision.

What's not covered by OVHC?

There are some conditions and treatments that OVHC won't typically cover. Here are a few of the most common:

  • Ambulance rides that aren't considered an emergency
  • Elective cosmetic surgery such as a nose job or breast implants
  • Treatment arranged in advance of your arrival in Australia
  • IVF and other assisted reproductive services
  • Services provided outside of Australia

Do you need overseas visitor health cover?

If you plan on working in Australia, your visa application will generally require you to have OVHC in place by the time you enter Australia, unless you're a citizen of a country that has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.

Visas that require OVHC

When should you get overseas visitor health cover?

Kaku Caro's headshot
Expert insight

"Migrants need to have health insurance from the time that they enter Australia. For example: Scenario 1) John Doe applies for a visa offshore and the visa is granted. He will arrive in Australia at 4:00am on 20/09/2022. He should get a health insurance policy that starts at 12:00am 20/09/2022. Scenario 2) Jane Doe is already in Australia under a particular visa that requires her to have health insurance, and applies for a subsequent visa onshore that also has this requirement. As she should already have a health insurance policy, she should continue to pay for this policy on an ongoing basis."

Kaku Caro
Immigration Lawyer - LegalVision

Reciprocal health care agreements

If you're from 1 of the 11 specific countries in the list below, you're eligible for Medicare and won't be required to have OVHC (although we still recommend it). That's because your country and Australia have an agreement called a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA).

Here are the countries that have an RHCA with Australia:

RHCA countries that don't require health insurance

What if my visa has changed?

clipboard list

If you're changing to another visa, your best bet is to just carry on with the OVHC cover that you already have. For example, if you are on a temporary graduate visa (485) and are switching over to a temporary skill shortage visa (482).

private contract

If you've got your PR, then you are not required to keep your OVHC – but make sure you don't cancel before you get it. Once your PR has been approved, you will be eligible for private health insurance like most Australians.

What is condition 8501?

You know that visa requirement we've been talking about? That's requirement 8501, and it means your visa may not be approved if you don't have health cover in place when you arrive in Australia.

To meet condition 8501, your insurance must meet the following criteria:

  • Be fully comprehensive
  • Provide cover that is equivalent to or better than Medicare
  • Cover prescriptions
Kaku Caro's headshot

"Applicants generally provide a letter or policy statement from the insurance provider indicating that the person(s) have made adequate arrangements for health insurance. Generally speaking, health insurance is not a requirement for the visa to be granted. Rather, it is a visa condition imposed as part of the visa grant, commencing when they enter Australia."

Kaku Caro
Immigration Lawyer - LegalVision

To provide evidence you have adequate health insurance in place, most insurers will send you a copy of your policy as soon as you purchase it. You can attach this to your visa application.

Alex Holderness's headshot

"I arrived in Australia from the UK with no clue about health insurance, medicare or bulk billing! However, getting OVHC was a requirement for my visa. I took out a policy with Allianz, which covered the visa condition 8501. Policies with GP and dental visits cost quite a lot more, so i just got a basic policy for $80 that would cover me if i needed to go to Emergency. Luckily, i haven't had to use the policy much, but it's been great having peace of mind while also keeping the Australian Government happy!"

Head of publishing

Which health funds offer visitors health cover in Australia?

Health fundHospital cover for overseas visitorsExtras cover available or included?More info
HIF health insurance
  • Comprehensive Working Visa
  • Intermediate Working Visa
  • Essentials Working Visa
  • Basic Working Visa
  • Top Extras
  • Advanced Extras
  • Essential Extras
  • Simple Extras
  • Value Extras
  • Basic Extras
More info
Australian Unity
  • Worker Cover Plus
  • Mid Workers Cover
  • Budget Workers Cover
  • Top Overseas Visitor Cover
  • Mid Overseas Visitor Cover
  • Basic Overseas Visitor Cover
More info
HCF health insurance
  • Top Plus Cover
  • Top Cover
  • Mid Cover
  • Basic Cover
  • Included in Top Plus Cover
  • Included in Top Cover
More info
nib health insurance logo
  • Budget Visitor Cover
  • Standard Visitor Cover
  • Advantage Visitor Cover
  • Budget Visitor Cover with Extras
  • Standard Visitor Cover with Extras
  • Advantage Visitor Cover with Extras
More info
Health fundHospital cover for overseas visitors Extras cover available or included? More info
Allianz Care Australia
  • Budget Visitors Cover
  • Standard Visitors Cover
  • Not included Budget Visitors Cover
  • Not included Standard Visitors Cover
More info
Australian Unity
  • Basic Overseas Visitors Cover
  • Mid Overseas Visitors Cover
  • Top Overseas Visitors Cover
  • Base Extras
  • Mid Extras
  • Active Extras
  • Prime Extras
More info
Bupa
  • Platinum Visitors Cover
  • Essential Plus Visitors Cover
  • Gold Visitors Cover
  • Essential Visitors Cover
  • Included in Platinum Visitors Cover
  • Included in Essential Plus Visitors Cover
More info
Frank Health Insurance
  • Frank Minimum Working Visa
  • No extras policies available
More info
hbf
  • Working Visa Hospital and Medical Cover
  • Working Visa Hospital Cover
  • Included in Working Visa Hospital and Medical Cover
  • Not included in Working Visa Hospital Cover
More info
HCF
  • Overseas Visitors Health Cover
  • Ultimate Extras
  • Lifestyle Plus Extras
  • Active Lifestyle Extras
  • Lifestyle Essentials
  • Basic Extras
More info
hif
  • Comprehensive Working Visa
  • Intermediate Working Visa
  • Essentials Working Visa
  • Basic Working Visa
  • Visitor Saver
  • Visitor Value
  • Premium Options
  • Super Options
  • Special Options
  • Saver Options
More info
IMAN
  • Budget Visitor Cover
  • Value Plus Visitor Cover
  • Basic Visitor Health Cover
  • Mid Visitor Cover
  • Top Visitor Cover
  • Not included in Budget Visitor Cover
  • Included in Value Plus Visitor Cover
  • Included in Basic Visitor Health Cover
  • Included in Mid Visitor Cover
  • Included in Mid Visitor Cover
More info
Medibank
  • Overseas Visitor Health Insurance
  • No extras included
More info
nib
  • Budget Visitor Cover
  • Standard Visitor Cover
  • Advantage Visitor Cover
  • Budget Visitor Cover with Extras
  • Standard Visitor Cover with Extras
  • Advantage Visitor Cover with Extras
More info

Frequently asked questions

Why you can trust Finder's health insurance experts

helpNo scary talk - let's face it, we all hate phone calls (sorry mum). Our mission is to bring you all the key stuff you need to know about OVHC without needing to call for help.
freeMore time planning your trip - we researched over 10+ visa types, and dug deep into the fine print to show you policy options that match your stay. Giving you more time to spend on fun stuff, like packing....(!)
independentReady when you need it - whether you're jumping on the plane tomorrow, or planning your tips of a life time, we don't have a call centre or any hoops to jump through. Just simple comparisons ready for when you are.
Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was 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). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 646 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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24 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JeremyJune 2, 2023

    I am assisting an Indonesian Couple who have applied for Aged Parent Visas while in Australia. They were granted a Bridging Visa A on application. Currently, they are spending most of their time in Indonesia, with visits to Australia from time to time. They are planning to move to Australia shortly and reapply for their Bridging Visa A. So they will be living in Australia on their BVA’s. They wish to apply for HVHC while they are here. The couple are a Male (DoB 31/08/1951) and a Female (DoB 80/08/1956). What level of cover would you recommend for this couple?

      AvatarFinder
      JamesJune 6, 2023Finder

      Hi Jeremy,

      Thanks for your message. You can visit our guide to health cover for bridging visas for more specific information on how to get protection for unplanned medical costs.

      It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to recommend a cover level, as everyone’s circumstances (and needs) are different. In general, the higher the level of cover, the more benefits and services are included with a policy – and the more you’ll pay for it.

      Best wishes,

      James

    Default Gravatar
    LaiMay 23, 2023

    I am a pensioner from the Netherlands. Does it mean that I can apply for Medicare in Australia?

      AvatarFinder
      JamesMay 26, 2023Finder

      Hi Lai,

      Thanks for reaching out. To apply for Medicare, you’ll need to live in Australia and meet other eligibility criteria. It’s best your refer to Services Australia’s guide on enrolling in Medicare to get more detailed help with your inquiry.

      Best wishes,

      James

    Default Gravatar
    MannyMarch 2, 2023

    I am applying for a couple to come out and visit Australia and I have been advised to take out this insurance for them. What would happen should their applications be rejected? Will I be refunded the amount I have spent on insurance or not? Technically, they would not even have access to it because they are still overseas.

      AvatarFinder
      GaryMarch 7, 2023Finder

      Hi Manny,

      Yes, you should be able to get a refund – just reach out to the insurer. In lots of cases, you will only start paying for overseas health cover from the day the applicant enters the country.

      Hope this helps.

      Thanks,
      Gary

    Default Gravatar
    LeonNovember 8, 2022

    I am a student who is going to Australia for studying, and the university has already brought me a OSHC. Now I want to check the details in myhealth APP. So I plan to resign it first. However, no matter what email address I type in, or even though I use VPN from Australia, I still cannot receive the 6 digital CODE. I have tried it so many times. Why would this happen? And what should I do now?

      AvatarFinder
      JamesDecember 4, 2022Finder

      Hi Leon,

      Sorry to hear that! You may want to contact the provider directly to help you with your login details.

      Regards,
      James

    Default Gravatar
    baruDecember 16, 2019

    wanted to best cover for visitor coiming to Australia. a couple

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiDecember 21, 2019

      Hi Baru,

      Thanks for your comment and I hope you are doing well.

      It looks like you are on the accurate page to find and compare overseas health cover. On the page, you will find a table that compares the features and benefits of each OVHC provider such as price, visa complaint, cover and etc. You can also click the compare box beside each loan option and compare up to 4 options side by side for easier comparison. This way it will be easier for you to see which provider fits you best.

      As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.

      Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.

      Best,
      Nikki

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