If you're travelling to Australia on a temporary visa, there’s a good chance you’ll need overseas visitors health cover (OVHC).

Australia doesn’t offer free public healthcare to many visitors. So, if you get sick or injured, you could be left with a large bill unless you’ve got the right insurance.

Key points

• Many visas require OVHC as a condition of entry, including popular visitor, work, and bridging visas.

• Medical care in Australia can be expensive for overseas visitors. An ambulance ride or hospital stay can cost thousands without OVHC.

• With OVHC, you may get faster access to care including doctor visits and some hospital treatments.

What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC?)

OVHC is a type of private health insurance for international visitors. It helps cover your medical costs while you’re in Australia.

If your visa includes condition 8501, you are legally requited to hold overseas visitors health cover in Australia.

How does Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) work?

OVHC typically covers essential healthcare such as GP (doctor) visits, emergency ambulance transport, hospital treatment, and some prescription medications listed under the PBS. 

However, it usually doesn’t include elective or cosmetic procedures, or extras like dental, optical, and physiotherapy – unless you choose to add these to your policy.

*These are general guidelines only. Actual inclusions and exclusions differ between policies. Always check the product disclosure statement. 

❗Compare OVHC policy options to find the right fit for you.

Do I still need OVHC if I can access Medicare in Australia?  

Some countries have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. 

That means if you’re from New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, or Sweden you might get access to Medicare while you’re in Australia. But this only covers basic care in public hospitals. It typically doesn’t include ambulance services, most prescriptions, or private treatment.

So, even if you have limited Medicare access, OVHC can help fill the gaps and keep your costs down.

🚨ALERT! If your country does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, you will not be eligible for Medicare coverage while in Australia. 

Source: Services Australia

❗Learn more about how much it costs to stay in an Australian hospital.

How much does Overseas Visitors Health Cover in Australia cost? 

Costs depend on your age, length of stay, level of cover, and visa type.

However, you can often choose to pay upfront or monthly. Monthly payments are helpful if you’re visiting long-term and want to manage your budget.

Also consider OVHC policies with direct billing – this means your insurer pays the clinic or hospital directly, and you don’t have to claim money back.

When should I start my OVHC?

Start your OVHC before you enter Australia. If you hold a visa with condition 8501, you likely won’t get final visa approval without proof of cover.

Even if your visa doesn’t require OVHC, starting your policy from day one protects you from any unexpected medical costs.

Does OVHC cover surgery and emergencies?

OVHC typically covers medically necessary emergency surgeries. However, elective or cosmetic surgeries are usually not covered. 

Sandy’s Story Sandy’s mother came to Adelaide on a visitor visa 600. A few weeks into her trip, she slipped and fractured her wrist. Thanks to her OVHC, the GP visit, X-ray, and hospital surgery were all covered.

Without insurance, she could have paid over $3,000.

How do I compare OVHC plans?

To find affordable overseas visitor health cover, compare policies based on the following criteria: 

• Level of cover: hospital only or hospital + extras

• Age restrictions and premiums

• Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions

• Monthly vs yearly pricing

• Whether dependents are included

❗ Compare Club makes it easy to compare OVHC policies

FAQ's

What is the age limit for overseas visitor health cover?

There’s typically no legal age limit, but insurers may charge more or set special rules for people aged 70+.

Can I pay OVHC monthly? Yes, many insurers offer monthly payments. Or choose to pay up-front. 

Can I claim OVHC on tax? No. OVHC is generally not eligible for the Australian private health insurance rebate or tax offset.

Does OVHC cover surgery? It usually covers surgery that’s medically necessary, but not elective procedures.

What if I already have travel insurance? Travel insurance usually covers cancellations and theft. OVHC is designed specifically for medical needs during your stay – and it’s a legal requirement if your visa includes condition 8501.

Want to find good value OVHC for your trip to Australia? 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.

[Sources]

Department of Home Affairs (OVHC)Department of Home Affairs (visa list)PrivateHealth.gov.au Insider Guides

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

Disclaimer: 

Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd ABN 29 634 600 007 of 222 Pitt Street Sydney (Ph: 1300 904 624) owns and operates compareclub.com.au and its associated websites. The information contained in this email is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. We compare selected products from a panel of trusted insurers. We do not compare all products in the market. 

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).