Introduction
If you’re planning to travel to Australia in the near future, you might not have considered what would happen if you fell sick or got injured. But the unexpected tends to happen when you least expect it, which is why being prepared can save you from huge medical bills while away from home.
Medical care in Australia can be very expensive for visitors who don’t have access to Medicare, so having an adequate level of insurance is a must. Whether you’re travelling on a temporary visa, embarking on a working holiday or planning to stay for an extended period, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) will give you peace of mind – so read on to find out exactly what overseas visitor insurance is, what it covers and why comparing policies is the easiest way to find the best visitor insurance in Australia.
What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)?
OVHC is a type of health insurance for visitors to Australia who are unable to get access to Medicare, our public healthcare system. It insures you against a range of potential medical expenses you might incur while in Australia, including everything from hospital stays to GP consultations to emergency treatments and beyond.
Unlike just getting travel insurance in Australia – which is only a good option for short-term holidays, cancellations and emergencies – OVHC is targeted at those who need more comprehensive healthcare cover, such as visitors who are planning to stay for an extended period on visas like a working holiday visa or visitor visa (subclass 600).
Who needs OVHC?
1. Visitors on temporary visas
If you’re visiting Australia as a tourist or to see family, you might need OVHC to meet your specific visa requirements. While OVHC isn’t mandatory for all types of visitor visas (e.g. 600, 601 and 651), having a good amount of coverage means you will be financially protected if the worst does happen during your stay. Make sure you do your research as some visa sub-classes will explicitly require you to provide proof of health insurance.
2. Working holidaymakers
Travellers arriving on working holiday visas or similar temporary work permits should seriously consider taking out OVHC as it covers hospital visits, doctor consultations and other core health services. Given that working holiday visitors tend to stay longer and might need medical attention during their stay, OVHC is a sensible investment so you’re not caught off-guard by out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Students and long-term visitors
While Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for international students and their dependents, OVHC is recommended if you are planning to extend your stay beyond just the length of your studies. For example, if you intend on finding work in Australia after completing your studies. Visitors who stay longer than 12 months should think about the value – and peace of mind – that OVHC could provide throughout your time in Australia.
Key takeaway: Anyone staying in Australia for an extended period – whether as a tourist, worker or student – will benefit from the financial protection afforded by an OVHC policy.
OVHC vs Travel Insurance: What’s the difference?
It’s easy to confuse OVHC with travel insurance, or think that they will both cover exactly the same things. However, each serves a very different purpose:
- Travel insurance: Ideal for protecting against short-term travel-related risks like flight cancellations, lost luggage and emergency medical treatments during brief holidays. In other words, it’s only really the right option for tourists visiting Australia for a few weeks.
- Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC): Much broader medical cover for those staying in Australia for extended periods of time. It covers hospital stays, GP visits, emergency treatments and much more (depending on the policy).
Portability
Don’t re-serve waiting periods when you switch to a new health fund or policy
“John was immediately covered for a hip replacement in private hospital because he had already served his waiting periods for joint replacements on his old policy”
What does OVHC cover?
Most OVHC policies will offer different levels of cover, with varying premium costs and benefits on offer. However, most will include the following:
- Hospital treatments: Cover for medical services in both public and private hospitals, depending on your policy’s level.
- GP visits: Consultations with doctors for general healthcare needs.
- Prescription medications: Partial or full cover for prescribed drugs.
- Emergency services: Ambulance services in the event of an emergency.
- Extras (optional): Depending on your needs, you might also take out general treatment cover (aka extras) for partial coverage of dental, optical and physiotherapy services. Just bear in mind that you will still have to pay for part of these fees
Why compare Overseas Visitor Health Cover?
When you start searching online, you’ll find there are multiple insurers in Australia who offer OVHC, with different policies tailored to those who are working (visas 457, 485 and more), visiting (visas 600, 601 and more) or on a working holiday (visas 417 and 462). That can make finding the best visitor insurance in Australia entirely overwhelming.
The good news is Fair Health Care Alliance is here to help you compare overseas visitor health cover and find the right policy that meets your needs and budget. Below are just a few reasons why you should always compare first:
- The right cover: Not all OVHC policies are alike – some might be tailored to working travellers, while others are better for long-term holidaymakers. Comparing plans will help you find one that matches your specific needs.
- Bigger savings: Premiums can vary quite widely between different insurers, which is why comparing policies will help you avoid overpaying for services you don’t actually need.
- Access to the right providers: Some policies will restrict you to only getting cover at specific hospitals or from a small network of healthcare providers. Make sure you compare health insurance plans so you aren’t surprised by unexpected restrictions down the track.
OVHC and the Visitor Visa 600 health insurance requirement
If you plan on visiting Australia on a visitor visa (subclass 600), having adequate health insurance is strongly recommended by the Department of Home Affairs. Although the visitor visa 600 doesn’t mandate health insurance for all travellers, if you are subject to condition 8501 then you will need to show proof of adequate health insurance before you can visit Australia.
Expert tip: Even if your visa doesn’t require OVHC, it’s a smart idea to have health insurance in place to protect yourself from unexpected medical costs while in Australia.
How to choose the best OVHC policy for you
While everyone will have different needs and varying visa requirements, it’s a good idea to keep the following in mind when comparing your visitor insurance options:
- Policy inclusions and exclusions: Make sure the policy covers exactly what you need for your individual health requirements. Also make note of any exclusions.
- Waiting periods: Check whether there are waiting periods for certain services, particularly if you have a pre-existing condition.
- Premiums: Jump online to compare overseas visitor health cover and find a policy that fits your budget.
- Customer reviews and insurer reputation: Look at reviews for your preferred provider and policy to find out more about their customer service and how quickly they process claims.
Conclusion
Staying in Australia without adequate health insurance can put you at serious risk of financial problems should the worst happen. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is a must for anyone planning an extended stay in Australia, whether you’re working, studying or simply enjoying the holiday of a lifetime.
Because comparing policies online is the easiest way to find the best visitor insurance Australia has to offer, do take some time to review your options before making a decision. With Fair Health Care Alliance by your side, we’ll make sure you get the right cover for your needs while travelling to Australia.
Aaron Savrone, founder of Fair Health Care Alliance (FHCA), is a health insurance expert with over 15 years of experience. Specializing in transparent, customer-focused advice, Aaron launched FHCA in 2017 to address the lack of genuine care in the health insurance comparison space. With a commitment to simplifying complex policies and data, Aaron and the team have earned FHCA top ratings and awards, including a 5-star Google Review score from hundreds of reviews and Best Insurance Comparison Website in 2023 and 2024 (ProductReview).
