- Best value cover: Frank Mid Workers Plus Bundle
- Best for students: Allianz Care Australia Overseas Standard Student Health Cover
- Best for tourists: Bupa Short Stay Visitors Cover
What is OVHC?
Overseas Visitor Health Cover, or OVHC, is a type of health insurance made for people in Australian on a visa. If you're visiting Australia on a working visa or tourist visa, then an OVHC policy will give you the health cover that you need to meet your visa requirements. It also will make sure you don't pay a crazy amount of money if you need treatment while you're here.
What is OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC, is a special type of policy specifically made for students. If you're on a student visa then you'll need OSHC, except in a few very specifc circumstances. Your school or university might have an agreement with a particular insurer to make it easier, but you can also buy your own policy.
Do I need OVHC?
Anyone in Australia on a working, tourist or student visa will need 'adequate health insurance' for the duration of their trip. This is generally detailed in the 8501 visa condition. For most folks, that will mean OVHC or OSHC.
There are only a couple of exceptions to this rule:
- If you're an Australian citizen: If you are an Aussie citizen or permanent resident, or become one at some stage, you'll have access to public health care in Australia.
- If you have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA): 11 countries have a RHCA that gives them acces to public health care in Australia. This is sometimes all you need for your visa, but not always. Students especially will probably still need OSHC.
- If you have travel insurance: If you're in Australia as a tourist, then a comprehensive travel insurance policy from your home country may be enough to cover you.
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My wife and I have 410 visas and live more than halfof every year in Aus. Do we need ovhc still as we live here for most of the year. We have a home here and pay all the required taxes etc.
Hi Peter,
Yes, you need to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia on a 410 visa, regardless of how much of the year you live there. While you are likely not eligible for Medicare, 410 visa holders are subject to visa conditions requiring them to have private health insurance that is equivalent to Medicare.
My wife and I currently have an astonishingly expensive OVHC policy to support our Subclass 870 visas. However, we are from United Kingdom, which has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia, and also have Reciprocal Arrangement Medicare cards.
Do we still need this expensive OVHC medical insurance?
Hi Bernie,
If you’re in Australia on the 870 Sponsored Parent visa, you’ll need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) while you stay to satisfy the 8501 visa condition, while also ensuring you’re able to pay any medical costs while in Australia.