Australian Visa Requirement: Maintain Adequate Health Insurance
If you are a visa holder in Australia, it is essential to oblige your visa conditions, including maintaining health insurance. It is your responsibility regarding health care costs and the importance of having adequate health insurance.
Why do I Have to Maintain health Insurance for my Visa?
For most temporary visas, the Department will include a visa condition for the visa holder to maintain your health insurance as you are financially responsible for your own health care.
You are financially responsible for any healthcare debts incurred while in Australia.
Note - Outstanding health debts may impact future visa applications.
Do I Have Access to Medicare?
Most visitors or temporary visa holders in Australia do not qualify for Medicare, which means they are responsible for all medical costs.
Medicare eligibility is generally limited to:
Australian citizens
Permanent visa holders
New Zealand citizens (in certain cases)
Why is it Important to have Private Health Insurance?
Since Medicare coverage is generally unavailable for most visa holders, it is highly recommended that you arrange private health insurance to prepare for unexpected accidents or unplanned medical or hospital care.
What are the Possible Costs for Non-Covered Individuals?
If you require health care and do not have adequate private health insurance, you will be considered a private patient and will need to pay all costs upfront, whether treated in public or private facilities.
Routine care from a general practitioner is often the most cost-effective option.
What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)?
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) services are commonly used to provide appropriate health insurance coverage.
It is necessary to review what is covered under OVHC policies to meet the visa condition and your health requirements, as not all products offer comprehensive coverage.
note - Informed Financial Consent
Before receiving treatment, ensure you seek Informed Financial Consent to understand all costs and confirm that your treatment is covered by your health insurance policy.
This is because you may incur additional charges such as patient contributions, excess fees, or co-payments.
What are Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA)?
If you are from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with Australia, you may be eligible for Medicare services during your stay.
If you are from a country without an RHCA, you will have to pay for all medical care, although travel insurance may cover some costs.
Do I need to Provide Evidence of Health Insurance to the Department?
Some Australian visas require proof of adequate health insurance arrangements before granting the visa.
You may need to provide a copy of your private health insurance policy from an Australian registered insurer.
How To Learn More about Health Insurance Options?
Visitors to Australia should compare various health insurance products to find the best value.
Both Australian and overseas health insurance companies may offer suitable coverage.
Visit the Australian Government's Private Health website to understand your health insurance requirements and options. The site also lists private health insurers operating in Australia.
Which Benefit Levels should I choose?
When selecting health insurance, ensure the coverage is at least equivalent to the following minimum levels (specific details would typically be provided separately).
Consider whether a higher level of coverage is appropriate for your needs.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Ensuring to maintain adequate health insurance is important and if you don’t, your visa may lead to visa refusal or cancellation. Speak to one of our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law with our team of immigration lawyers at Agape Henry Crux. The team specialises in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.