408 Visa Health Insurance

Pricing is based on a single live in the State of New South Wales on a visa, and is not from a country that Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with and is not eligible for cover under Medicare. Prices are accurate for 2025 but are subject to change.

What the 408 visa is for and who can get it?

The 408 visa lets travellers come to Australia on a temporary basis to:

• Work in the entertainment industry
• Participate in activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
• Participate or observe in an Australian research project (this was previously covered by a separate subclass 419 visa)
• Work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
• Participate in high-level sports competitions or sports training programs
• Participate in a special programme approved by the department that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits.
• Do full-time religious work
• Be employed as a superyacht crew member
• Do full time domestic work for certain senior foreign executives
• Participate in a government-endorsed event

To get a 408 visa, you need to have the skills to undertake the relevant activity, be supported or sponsored, and meet specific requirements for each purpose above.

What the 408 visa is for and who can get it?

The 408 visa lets travellers come to Australia on a temporary basis to:

• Work in the entertainment industry
• Participate in activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
• Participate or observe in an Australian research project (this was previously covered by a separate subclass 419 visa)
• Work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
• Participate in high-level sports competitions or sports training programs
• Participate in a special programme approved by the department that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits.
• Do full-time religious work
• Be employed as a superyacht crew member
• Do full time domestic work for certain senior foreign executives
• Participate in a government-endorsed event

To get a 408 visa, you need to have the skills to undertake the relevant activity, be supported or sponsored, and meet specific requirements for each purpose above.

Is health insurance mandatory for the 408 visa?

It's a requirement that you can demonstrate adequate health insurance cover for your stay. Generally this will be in the form of overseas visitor health cover (OVHC). This is a health insurance policy for visitor to Australia.

Most, but not all, OVHC policies will meet the minimum requirements.

If you're from an RHCA country you might have this automatically. But even with it, you might still need overseas visitor health cover (OVHC) depending on the purpose of your visit and what country you're from.

How to find and compare OVHC policies

The mandatory level of health cover may depend on the purposes of your visit, and what country you’re visiting from. Generally most OVHC policies will meet or exceed those standards.

How to compare price

Visit a range of Australian health insurance providers to see how much their OVHC costs, but remember to look for corresponding differences in cover.

How to compare cover

There are some specific things to look at.

• Extras and bonuses. Are you covered for doctors and dentist visits, or just hospital admissions? How are you covered for repatriation or funeral expenses?
• Percentage of hospital bills covered: You’ll generally find this as a “percent of MBS.” The MBS is an important part of Australia’s healthcare so it’s worth knowing about.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover OVHC?

  Overseas Visitor Health Cover or OVHC is a type of health insurance designed for temporary visitors to Australia who are not eligible for Medicare. It helps cover the costs of medical treatment if you get sick or have an accident during your stay including doctor visits hospital stays and some prescription medicines. Holding OVHC is generally a mandatory visa requirement.

• What does 408 visa health insurance typically cover?

  Most 408 visa health insurance policies or OVHC plans will cover common medical expenses such as visits to the doctor, hospital, accommodation and theatre fees, some prescription medications and ambulance services for emergencies. Policies can vary so it is important to check the specific details of your chosen plan. Some higher level policies might also include extras like dental optical or physiotherapy.

• Are there things not covered by OVHC for a 408 visa?

  Yes, most OVHC policies have exclusions and waiting periods. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions during an initial waiting period, non-medically necessary treatments, assisted reproductive services, cosmetic surgery and services not covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Make sure to check your policy's Product Disclosure Statement PDS to understand what is not covered.

• Can I include my family members on my 408 visa health insurance?

  Yes you can usually include your partner and any dependent children on your OVHC policy. Many providers offer family policies which can be more cost effective than purchasing individual policies for each family member. You will need to declare all family members when applying and ensure the cover meets the visa requirements for each individual.

• How long do I need to hold OVHC for my 408 visa?

  You are required to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia as specified by your 408 visa. This means your OVHC policy must be active from the day you arrive until your visa expires or you depart Australia, whichever comes first. If your visa is extended your health cover must also be extended.

• What happens if my 408 visa is extended or cancelled?

  If your 408 visa is extended you must ensure your OVHC policy is also extended to cover the new visa period. Contact your health fund to arrange this. If your visa is cancelled or you leave Australia permanently before your policy expires, you may be eligible for a refund for the unused portion of your premium. Always notify your health insurer of any changes to your visa status or travel plans.

• Can I claim Medicare benefits while on a 408 visa?

  Unless you are from a country that has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement RHCA with Australia, you are generally not eligible for Medicare benefits while on a 408 visa. This is why having Overseas Visitor Health Cover OVHC is mandatory, as it acts as your primary health insurance coverage while in Australia. RHCA coverage is often limited and may not meet full visa requirements.

• What is the 8501 visa condition?

  Visa condition 8501 requires you to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. This condition is commonly applied to many temporary Australian visas including the 408 visa. It means you must hold and continue to hold health insurance such as OVHC that covers you for any necessary medical treatment you may require.

• Are there waiting periods for 408 visa health insurance?

  Yes most OVHC policies have waiting periods before you can claim for certain services. These typically include short waiting periods for general medical services, for example 2 months for some hospital treatments, and longer periods for pre-existing conditions - generally 12 months for hospital care and 12 months for pregnancy related services. Acute accidents are usually covered immediately.

• Do I need to declare pre-existing conditions when applying for OVHC?

  Yes it is important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when you apply for OVHC. A pre-existing condition is generally any illness or condition for which you have had signs, symptoms, diagnosis treatment or medication in the period prior to taking out health insurance. While OVHC may cover some pre-existing conditions, specific waiting periods and terms usually apply.

Written by

Andrew Munro

Editor

Andrew Munro was the global cryptocurrency editor at Finder. During his time he covered all aspects of cryptocurrency and the blockchain. Before he became cryptocurrency editor, he was a content writer for Finder covering various topics over his nearly 5 years in the role. Prior to joining Finder he was a web copywriter. Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales. See full bio