Do I Need 485 Visa Health Insurance Cover?

If you’ve studied in Australia on a student visa and want to stay in the country after graduation, you may be eligible for a 485 Temporary Graduate visa. 

This typically allows you to stay in Australia to work or pursue further education for up to five years. However, you may need 485 visa health insurance cover to meet your new visa requirements.

What’s the difference between Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)?

When you move from a student visa to a temporary graduate visa, you may need to switch your health cover from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to Overseas Visitor Cover (OVHC) to meet the requirements of your new visa.

What does Overseas Visitor Cover (OVHC) cover?

485 visa health insurance cover is typically known as Overseas Visitor Cover (OVHC). Coverage varies between insurers, however, OVHC generally covers: 

• Public hospital treatment, including  overnight accommodation and theatre fees

• Emergency department fees that lead to an admission

• Admitted patient care and postoperative services

• Surgically implanted prostheses

• Medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

• Medical services with a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number

• Essential ambulance transport

What are the consequences of not having health insurance while on a 485 visa?

Visa condition 8501 says that you “must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia”. That means your application for a 485 visa will likely not be approved if you don’t hold adequate OVHC. And if you let your OVHC lapse while you’re still in Australia on a 485 visa, your visa may be cancelled.

Do I still need OVHC if I’m eligible for Medicare?

If your home country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement (RHCA) with Australia, you may be eligible for Medicare. 

However, you may still need to apply for an exemption from visa condition 8501.

Countries that have a RHCA with Australia include:  

• United Kingdom (UK)

• The Republic of Ireland

• New Zealand

• Sweden

• The Netherlands

• Finland

• Belgium

• Norway

• Slovenia

• Malta

• Italy

When should I transition from OSHC to OVHC when applying for a 485 visa?

If you’re an international student with OSHC, you can typically apply for a 485 visa with your current OSHC health cover. 

However, you’ll likely need to switch to OVHC while your application is being processed.

Can I get a refund for my OSHC if my 485 visa is granted before my OSHC expires?

While specific refund policies for OSHC may vary between insurers, you may be able to get a refund on premiums you’ve paid for any unused period of OSHC coverage.

Are there affordable health insurance options for 485 visa applicants?

Absolutely, however it’s a good idea to compare health insurance for 485 visa to find the right policy for you. The cost of an OVHC policy typically depends on your age, coverage level, and any extras added (such as dental or optical).

How do I choose the right health insurance plan for my 485 visa application?

The friendly experts at Compare Club can help you compare health insurance for 485 visa from leading health insurance providers to find the right coverage for your needs, budget, and visa requirements.

Want to find a good value health insurance policy that meets your needs? Compare Club’s experts have saved over 239,000 Australians an average of $295* by helping them compare health cover in the last 10 years.

What is the 8501 visa condition?

Condition 8501 says that you “must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia”. It applies to 485 visas, as well as most other temporary Australian working visas and all student visas. 

It essentially exists to make sure that visa holders in Australia can meet any medical costs that they might incur while living here.

Need health insurance for a 485 visa? There’s a lot of options to choose from, but using a comparison service like Compare Club can help you find the level of health cover that meets your budget and circumstances quickly and easily. Click the button below to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is medical repatriation?

Medical repatriation is when someone is returned to their home country specifically to get medical treatment there or if they have passed away. It usually takes place when the necessary treatment is either unavailable or too costly in their host country.

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

Yes, a non-resident can get private health insurance in Australia if they are on a temporary visa. The Australian government strongly recommends all visitors make arrangements for private health cover so they can ensure they are covered for any medical services they may require while in Australia.

Can I stay in Australia without health insurance?

If you are not classed as a permanent resident, you can’t stay in Australia without an adequate visa, and your visa application will require you to obtain an adequate level of health cover. The only exception to this is if you are from a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, which would entitle you to Medicare.

Sources

Department of Home Affairs (485 visa)

Department of Home Affairs (OVHC)Study Australia

Visa Envoy

OSHC Students

*$295 based on 239,107 sold over the past 10 years (From 2015 to 2024).

Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley

Chris's top health insurance tips:

• 1

  Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.

• 2

  An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.

• 3

  Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.

• 4

  Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).