Do I need health insurance for 485 visa?

Yes. Condition 8501 of your visa application states that you must maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia.

What exclusions apply to OVHC policies?

OVHC policies generally exclude pre-existing conditions (often with a 12-month waiting period), elective cosmetic treatments, assisted reproductive services, and some high-cost procedures like organ transplants, with specific waiting periods also applying to pregnancy, psychiatric care, and rehabilitation.

What happens to my health cover if I get permanent residency?

Once you're a permanent resident, you can enrol in Medicare, which covers public hospital treatment and many GP visits. You can also switch from OVHC to regular Australian health insurance, which offers more policy choices. Before you switch, check whether you'll need to serve new waiting periods, and whether the Medicare Levy Surcharge or Lifetime Health Cover loading could apply to you.

Can a non-resident get private health insurance in Australia?

Not standard domestic health insurance — non-residents generally need to take out Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), private health insurance products designed specifically for non-residents of Australia.

Can I get Medicare on a 485 visa?

Generally, no. Most 485 visa holders aren't eligible for Medicare, which is why condition 8501 requires you to hold private health insurance. There are two main exceptions: if you're a citizen of a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you may get limited access, and you may become eligible once you've applied for permanent residency. Even with some Medicare access, you may still need OVHC to meet condition 8501.