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482 Visa (TSS) Health Insurance

Compare health insurance that covers you on a 482 Visa.

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Don Gribble
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If you're coming to Australia on a 482 temporary skill shortage (TSS) visa, overseas health cover (OVHC) will be a mandatory requirement for the entirety of your stay. This is to ensure that while you're in Australia you are covered for any medical care while you may need. It's also a great way to save if you unexpectedly need medical care while on your trip.

There are several options available for the 482 visa, and they all meet condition 8501 making them visa compliant. Compare your options and apply directly below.

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Hospital Cover

Pregnancy Cover
$75
price per month
  • 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage
  • 485 - Temporary Graduate
  • 402 - Training and Research
  • 408 - Temporary Activity
  • 401 - Temporary work (long stay)
Click here to find the complete list of Visas.
  • Hospital accommodation
  • In-hospital medications
  • Accident and emergency fees that lead to inpatient admission (public hospital only)
  • Emergency medical repatriation cover
  • Surgically implanted prostheses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Emergency ambulance transport
Allianz Care Australia offer 4 levels of Overseas Visitor Health Cover.When joining, you can set the start date of your policy. You'll receive a certificate of insurance online, have access to a health network and be covered Australia wide. Allianz Care also has a 24/7 Emergency phone line.

Compare 482 visa health insurance options

Name Product Meets condition 8501 Hospital Cover Dental Pregnancy Cover GP Visits Medical Repatriation Price
Frank Basic Workers Cover
Frank Basic Workers Cover
Yes (Reduced benefits)
$20,000
From $64.50 per month
From $64.50 per month.
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Medibank Overseas Workers Base Hospital
Medibank Overseas Workers Base Hospital
From $71 per month
From $71 per month.
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Allianz Budget Working Cover
Allianz Budget Working Cover
$20,000
From $75 per month
From $75 per month.
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Frank Minimum Working Visa Cover
Frank Minimum Working Visa Cover
$20,000
From $75 per month
From $75 per month.
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Frank Mid Workers Cover
Frank Mid Workers Cover
$20,000
From $100 per month
From $100 per month.
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Medibank Overseas Workers Standard Hospital and Medical
Medibank Overseas Workers Standard Hospital and Medical
From $104.50 per month
From $104.50 per month.
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Allianz Standard Working Cover
Allianz Standard Working Cover
$20,000
From $110 per month
From $110 per month.
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Frank Mid Workers Plus Bundle
Frank Mid Workers Plus Bundle
$20,000
From $125 per month
From $125 per month.
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Allianz Mid Working Cover
Allianz Mid Working Cover
$20,000
From $158 per month
From $158 per month.
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More Info
Medibank Overseas Workers Advanced Hospital and Medical
Medibank Overseas Workers Advanced Hospital and Medical
From $308 per month
From $308 per month.
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More Info
Allianz Top Working Cover
Allianz Top Working Cover
$20,000
From $298 per month
From $298 per month.
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Medibank Overseas Workers Premium Hospital, Medical and Extras
Medibank Overseas Workers Premium Hospital, Medical and Extras
From $329.50 per month
From $329.50 per month.
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More Info
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Pricing is based on a single livein 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 2020 but are subject to change.

Who is eligible for this type of visa?

Anyone who possesses a skill that cannot be met by an Australian. In other words, this visa allows employers to bring in skilled workers from overseas when the role cannot be filled by an Australian.

This visa comes under the short-term stream classification which means that anyone on this visa can stay in the country up to 2 years (or 4, if an international trade obligation applies). You must be sponsored by an approved business but you can be in or outside Australia when you lodge your application.

What are the restrictions on this visa?

  • This visa is valid for 1 to 2 years and can only be renewed whilst you are in Australia.
  • You must have two years work experience in a related field and evidence to prove this.
  • Applicants must show that they are Genuine Temporary Entrants – that means, you must show you have no intention of staying in Australia permanently.

How does 482 Visa health insurance work for families and couples?

This is a mandatory requirement for anyone on a 482 visa. That means if other members of your family are coming over on the same visa, everyone is required to have OVHC. Most insurers offer singles, couples and family policies so that you can all be covered under the same policy.

It’s really important that you make sure you get adequate health insurance on this visa, as without it, your visa won’t be approved; it’s part of the 8501 requirements.

What’s new with TSS (482 visa)?

A number of conditions have changed for the TSS Visa. Some of the eligibility criteria changes include:

  • Labour market testing (LMT) is mandatory with no exceptions
  • Employers must pay the minimum market salary rate
  • Police checks are mandatory
  • A non-discriminatory workforce test has been introduced
  • Applicants must have at least two years of relevant work experience
  • The overall list of eligible occupations has been reduced by 216
  • Employers in regional Australia will have access to a wider range of occupations
  • Higher standards of English proficiency are required
  • There is a maximum age limit of 45 at the time of application
  • Visa application charges will increase for both short and medium term streams
  • Companies will be required to pay an annual foreign worker levy to fund homegrown training and recruitment

What is the 482 visa health requirement?

Overseas Visitors Health Cover is health insurance designed for those who come to work in Australia on a temporary basis. Its aim is to ensure they have access to adequate health cover while they are here, as they are not eligible for Medicare.

Without the protection of OVHC, they would be unable to access hospital or medical treatment without being liable for huge out of pocket costs.

In order to comply with the TSS 482 visa (previously the 457 visa), OVHC must be at least equivalent to public hospital cover and include cover for theatre, intensive care, labour ward, ward drugs and emergency department costs. It must also cover day surgery accommodation and treatment, some surgically implanted prosthetics, ambulance transport, PBS listed medications and MBS listed medical services.

The OVHC must not only cover the TSS visa holder, but any members of their family who accompany them to Australia and cover must remain in place for the duration of their stay. You must have started your cover from your first day in Australia - you'll often need a certificate to put with your visa application that proves you have this in place.

What doesn’t OVHC cover?

As with most private health insurance, there are certain service and treatment exclusions that OVHC will not cover, including:

  • Treatment arranged prior to arrival in Australia
  • Treatment covered by compensation schemes
  • Treatment not covered by Medicare

How can I apply for OVHC?

A good way to find a health fund that provides OVHC insurance is to search online or visit a comparison site such as finder.com.au. You should compare the benefits offered by at least three different policies to ensure you are getting the best deal and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully to make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions.

You must purchase OVHC before you can receive your TSS visa. Once you have found suitable cover, you will need to provide the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) with a letter from your chosen health fund or your employer in Australia confirming that you have met this requirement. They can provide this for you as soon as you sign up.

Are there any waiting periods?

Some waiting periods will apply to your OVHC cover. These are periods of time you must serve before benefits will be payable on your policy and they normally include:

  • 2 months. Psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care
  • 12 months. Pregnancy-related conditions
  • 12 months. Pre-existing conditions.

A pre-existing condition is any condition that you had symptoms of in the 6 months prior to your arrival in Australia or prior to your visa being granted (whichever occurred later).

Can i get Medicare on a TSS Visa?

For a 482 Visa, Visitors from countries which have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia are exempt from the need for OVHC because they are eligible to receive subsidised health care treatment. This is called Medicare.

Australia has agreements in place with the following countries:

RHCA countries that don't require health insurance

If you are visiting from any of these countries on a TSS visa, you should enrol for Medicare when you arrive in Australia.

However, RHCAs do not cover ambulance transportation, dental care, elective surgery, medical evacuation, private patient treatment in a private or public hospital or any treatment that is not immediately necessary. So visitors from RHCA countries might be wise to consider taking out OVHC as well.

How to compare OVHC policies

When comparing OVHC policies from various insurance providers, it pays to keep the following in mind:

  • Read the PDS carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered and the level of benefits provided.
  • Buy the highest level of cover you can afford to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket expenses you would have to pay for medical treatment (the gap between the treatment fee and what is covered by your insurer).
  • Consider including Extras cover so you have cover for ancillary benefits such as dental, optical, chiropractic and physiotherapy if you need them during your stay in Australia.
  • Make sure the cover being offered is fully compliant with TSS visa requirements.

Compare TSS visa insurance from participating health funds

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