australia tourist visa health insurance

Overseas Visitors Health Cover

For visa subclass 600, 601, 651 and more.

Enjoy your trip to Australia knowing your health insurance will help pay for the essential medical treatment you’re most likely to need.

Common visas:

600 , 601 , 651

Why choose Medibank's Overseas Health Cover?

Trusted health partner

Medibank is a leading private health insurer in Australia with over 3.7 million health insurance members.

Accident cover boost

Medibank members with hospital cover get the benefits of Gold level cover no matter what level of hospital cover you have, thanks to our Accident Injury Benefit. 1

Protect against the unexpected

No matter which Medibank Overseas Visitors Cover you choose, your cover includes unlimited emergency ambulance Australia-wide.  2

24/7 Medibank Nurse & Mental Health Service

Need advice? You can call  1800 644 325  and speak to a Medibank Nurse or Mental Health professional to discuss any health questions or concerns and get professional advice on what to do next.

Health insurance for visitors to Australia that includes the basics

Pays towards unlimited emergency ambulance services Australia-wide ^ , plus benefits if you have an Accident+, providing certainty during the uncertainty of travel.

Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical

A mid level cover option for younger visitors to Australia who don’t require health cover for visa purposes (condition 8501), but want the peace of mind of having cover for more than the essentials (incl. Heart and vascular system services) during their time in Australia.

This cover may only be purchased by policy holders who are aged 49 or under.

Pays benefits towards accommodation and medical costs for included medical procedures in hospital. This includes charges for treatment you receive from doctors, specialists, surgeons and anaesthetists.

• Includes 26 common clinical categories of hospital treatment (incl. Heart and vascular system)
• Accidental Injury Benefit+
• Choice of $250 or $750 excess

Pays benefits towards included medical services in and out of hospital.

• Pays 100% of the MBS fee
• Inpatient medical services across 26 clinical categories
• General Practitioner (GP) consultations
• Other common out-of-hospital medical services (blood tests & x-rays)
• Most Allied Health services billed with an MBS item number~

Overseas Visitors Everyday Hospital and Medical

A cover option suitable for those visiting Australia who are fit and healthy, don't require health cover for visa purposes (condition 8501) and only want cover for the essentials and accidents 'just in case' the unexpected occurs.

• Includes 24 common clinical categories of hospital treatment
• Choice of $250 or $500 excess

Pays benefits towards medical services in and out of hospital.

• Inpatient medical services across 24 clinical categories

Things you should know

^For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.

+Any Excluded service will be treated as an Included service where you require hospital treatment as a result of injuries sustained in an Accident after joining this cover and within 12 months of the date the Accident occurred. The Accident must have occured in Australia while the cover was not suspended. Treatment must be sought within 7 days of the Accident. Excludes claims covered by third parties such as WorkCover.

 ~Services not provided by a doctor but are billed with an MBS item number. For example, eye checks and services related to chronic disease management plans. Excludes mental health services.

Here are two popular visas that Medibank’s Overseas Visitors Health Covers are generally suitable for:

Visa subclass 600.

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows you to stay in Australia as a visitor or a visitor for business purposes for 3, 6 or 12 months. This might be an appropriate visa if you’re taking a holiday, visiting family or friends or on a tour with a registered travel agent from China.

Visa subclass 651

The eVisitor (subclass 651) lets you visit Australia for up to 3 months at a time within a 12-month period. You can stay as a visitor or a visitor for business purposes.

Not sure what you're looking for?

Speak to one of our friendly staff about your cover options. Call  1300 981 380  or request a call . 

Please note that if your visa is subject to Condition 8501 Overseas Visitors Health Cover may not be suitable. This information above is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs' website and is accurate as of April 2019.

Learn more about Australia's healthcare system

If you need medical attention while you’re in Australia and you don’t have health cover it can be very expensive, whether you’re treated in the public or the private healthcare system. Find out more about the differences between the private and public healthcare system.

Need some help?

We’re here to help you choose the health cover that matches your needs while you’re in Australia.  Contact Medibank how it suits you; messaging, WeChat, in-store or by phone.

Overseas students (OSHC)

Message one of our friendly staff about your cover options.

Visitor, working and working holiday (OVHC)

Speak to one of our friendly staff for sales and policy enquiries.

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1 For Accidents that occur in Australia after your cover starts. Must seek medical treatment within 7 days, and receive hospital treatment within 12 months, of the Accident occurring. Excludes claims covered by third parties and our Private Room Promise. Out of pockets may apply.

2 For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.

Request a call back

Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.

We'll have someone call you soon to help with any questions you have.

COVID-19 Health Assist - Expression of interest

Complete this form to express your interest in one of our programs. If you're eligible, a member of our team will call you within 2-3 business days.

What program are you interested in?

Sorry, only members with current Hospital cover are eligible to participate in these programs

Eligible Medibank members with Extras cover are able to access a range of telehealth services included on their cover - you can find out more here . Alternatively, if you would like to talk to one of our team about your cover, we're here on 132 331 .

Your membership details

Please provide your details so we can know how to contact you.

Your contact details

By clicking Submit, I understand that Medibank or its subsidiaries may contact me to discuss my eligibility for the Covid-19 Heath Assist program(s), and will disclose my personal information within the Medibank Group of companies and to third party service providers. Please see Medibank’s privacy policy for further information about how Medibank will handle my personal information, and how to contact Medibank: https://www.medibank.com.au/privacy/

Thank you for expressing your interest in one of our COVID-19 Health Assist programs.

If you are eligible, one of our health professionals will call you in 2-3 business days to discuss your situation and help to enrol you in the relevant program.

There is no cost to participate, however some referred services may incur an out of pocket cost.

• Find a Hospital
• Find a Doctor
• Mental Health Network
• Urgent Care
• IHI and eScripts
• Living in Australia
• Policy Wording
• Waiting periods
• MyHealth Member Portal FAQs
• Allianz OVHC Online Members Services (OMS) FAQs
• COVID Information for Members
• Physical Health
• Mental Health
• Work & Study
• Accessing Health Care in Australia

Allianz Care Australia

Overseas visitor health cover  , why choose allianz care australia.

Access to health care

24/7 Emergency Phone

Receive certificate of insurance online

Adequate health insurance (visa condition 8501)

Health insurance for overseas visitors and workers.

Working Visa Health Insurance

Visas 482, 485 , 417 , 188, 403, 408  and more.

For when you are temporarily working in Australia or you are visiting on a working holiday.

We offer a range of cover options to suit your budget and health needs.

Get a price

Visas we cover

Health Insurance for Visitors or Tourists

Visas, 600, 601, 651, 870  and more.

For when you are visiting Australia on holiday, or for your family if they are visiting from overseas.

We offer a range of cover options to suit your budget and health needs. 

We support you during your time in Australia

Allianz care telehealth powered by doctors on demand, access to help and support, find a doctor online tool.

Our find a doctor tool helps you find health professionals close by that bill us directly.  Simply enter your postcode and choose your closest health professional. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance for international visitors visiting or working in Australia on a temporary visa. OVHC is available for people travelling to Australia on holidays, visiting relatives, or for those who are working on a temporary basis.

If you become sick or have an accident while you are here in Australia, Allianz Care Australia OVHC will help you pay for your medical costs.

Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a citizen of a country that has a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Australia, you will not be eligible for Medicare - the public health insurance system. Without access to Medicare, paying for medical treatment can be prohibitively expensive.

If your visa is subject to condition 8501, you’re required to maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and any family. This means that maintaining adequate health insurance is a mandatory requirement while the visa holder is in Australia.

There might be times when you are sick or injured and need assistance. Your OVHC covers you for medical costs that would normally be covered by the Australian Medicare system if you were an Australian resident.

Whether you’re coming to Australia for a holiday, visiting family or friends, or visiting for work, we provide OVHC that meets visa condition 8501 which applies to the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage and 485 Temporary Graduate visas as well as others.

Overseas visitors may want to consider OVHC to help pay for medical treatment in Australia as it can be expensive and y ou may not be eligible for Medicare (the public health insurance system for Australian residents). OVHC is a requirement if your visa is subject to visa condition 8501. Allianz Care Australia OVHC policies meet the requirements of adequate health insurance (visa condition 8501).

When you are away from home, it is important to know medical treatment is available and affordable if something was to happen to you. 

For relevant visa types subject to visa condition 8501, the Australian Government requires that you and your dependants have adequate health insurance for the entire length of your and your dependants' stay in Australia.

Your cover starts on the later of, the start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance, the date your eligible visa is granted or the date of your arrival in Australia.

Your cover ceases on the date of your departure from Australia, the date you cease to hold an eligible visa, the date we or you cancel your policy or the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance, whichever occurs first.

In Australia, health care is made up of a mixture of services funded by the Australian Government and private health insurance. Australian residents are automatically covered for many hospital and medical costs under the Government’s Medicare scheme, but many Australians choose to take out additional cover through the private health care system.

Medicare covers areas of medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs, but doesn’t cover medical services like private hospital costs, dental, physiotherapy and similar services, emergency ambulance assistance or other transport to hospital.

For international workers and visitors who are not covered under Medicare, you can purchase  Overseas Visitor Health Cover  (OVHC).

If your visa type requires you to maintain adequate health insurance while you are in Australia (visa condition 8501), Allianz Care Australia OVHC policies meet the requirements of adequate health insurance (visa condition 8501).

If your visa type is not subject to condition 8501 and you are not eligible for Medicare, you may like to consider purchasing an Allianz Care Australia OVHC policy to ensure that you have cover for any unplanned medical or hospital care you may need while in Australia.

You can check your visa conditions  here

For the list of visas that we cover, click  here

Get a price today

How Health Insurance Works

Health insurers, compare policies.

• Overview of Health System
• Private Health Insurance Basics
• Government Surcharges & Incentives

Overseas Visitors Health Cover

• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Working visa applicants
• Private Health Insurance Changes

If you are visiting from overseas, you generally are not covered under Australia's public Medicare system for medical or hospital expenses.  This means that if you need medical attention while you are visiting Australia you could find yourself responsible for significant costs.

You should consider taking Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) to insure against potential expenses. In some cases, it may be a condition of your visa to hold a form of OVHC.

Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is a form of health insurance which is designed for visitors to Australia who do not have access to Australia's public Medicare system for medical or hospital expenses. OVHC insures against potential expenses you may incur if you require medical or hospital treatment. 

In some cases, it may be a condition of your visa to hold a form of OVHC - for example, if you are  working visa 482 or 485 applicant  or an overseas student .

What does OVHC Cover?

Every OVHC policy will differ in costs, eligibility and benefits. However, most policies should cover you for medically-required hospital admissions and a portion of doctor's fees.

In addition to cover for hospital and medical expenses, you can also purchase General Treatment cover. General Treatment cover pays benefits towards the services of health care providers in private practice such as dentists, optometrists and physiotherapists. Insurance can cover part of these costs, though you would still need to cover part of the fees yourself.

Lifetime Health Cover and the private health insurance rebate do not apply to overseas visitors' health cover. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applied to the cost of overseas visitors' health cover purchases.

What may not be covered?

Take care when you are purchasing cover as some plans will have lower benefits or no benefits for certain types of treatment, and waiting periods can vary - some policies may  permanently exclude  cover for pre-existing illnesses, meaning that such illnesses can never be covered. See the  Tips on health insurance for visitors  for further information about what you should look for when purchasing cover.

Most overseas visitors' health cover products have limited cover for pharmaceuticals. Overseas visitors may face significant out-of-pocket costs if they need treatment with pharmaceuticals, particularly cancer treatment.

Travellers entering Australia may bring in medicines and medical devices for immediate use and to import small quantities for personal use. For more information see the Therapeutic Goods Administration website - Entering Australia and Personal Importation Scheme .

Where can I purchase OVHC?

You can purchase cover for visitors to Australia from some health insurers and some general insurers based in Australia. You can also opt to be covered by insurance policies issued in other countries. Remember, if you are on a visa with specific health insurance conditions, you need to purchase the type and level of health insurance specified by your visa.

The internet is a good way to locate insurance cover for visitors. We suggest you search for "Overseas Visitors Insurance" or "Overseas Visitors Health Cover" in a search engine and compare policies from at least three providers.

You may also want to consider purchasing travel insurance, especially if you are in Australia for a short stay. Travel insurance may cover you for items that are not covered on visitors' cover such as loss of travel goods and repatriation in a medical emergency. Travel insurance should be purchased in your country of origin, before you depart for overseas.

Medicare: Australia's public health system

Unlike Australian citizens who can use the public health system  Medicare  to cover their medical and hospital expenses, overseas visitors who hold temporary visas are not generally eligible to use Medicare.

This means that if you need medical attention while you are visiting Australia you could find yourself substantially out of pocket. Even in a public hospital you could be charged more than $1,000 a day in hospital fees alone. Without health cover you can find yourself responsible for the full cost of treatment.

If you are unsure of your Medicare eligibility status, you should check with your local Medicare office or contact the Medicare (Services Australia) .

If your visa status or Medicare eligibility changes at any time, inform your insurer as soon as possible to find out whether your level of cover is still suitable.

Reciprocal Medicare

If you are an overseas visitors from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia, the Republic of Ireland, Norway and New Zealand, you generally have access to Medicare under your country's  reciprocal health care agreement  with Australia. This means you can receive emergency treatment in the public health system free of charge, which you would not otherwise be entitled to.

However, reciprocal Medicare benefits do not cover you for treatment as a private patient in hospital, and depending on your country, other limits may apply (for example, in some cases the benefits expire after you have been in Australia for a certain period of time). Check the conditions of your country's reciprocal Medicare agreement to confirm what benefits and limits apply to you. 

You should consider taking OVHC if you want to be covered for items that are not covered under the agreements.

How the Medicare Levy Surcharge might affect the type of health insurance you need

If you are:

• earning over the Medicare Levy Surcharge income threshold;
• considered resident in Australia for tax purposes; and
• have successfully enrolled in Medicare (for any level of benefits - reciprocal, interim, or full);

then you may be affected by the Medicare Levy Surcharge. For further information about the Surcharge and the type of health insurance policy that exempts you from the Surcharge, please refer to the  Medicare Levy Surcharge .

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• Health Cover
• Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)

Overseas visitors health cover (OVHC)

Find the right overseas visitors health cover (ovhc) for you.

Standard Overseas Visitors cover & Basic Extras

Standard Overseas Visitors cover

• Hospital cover for a range of essential services including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer and joint reconstructions
• Cover for medical services, such as General Practitioner (GP) consultations

Basic Extras

• Affordable cover for General Dental, Optical and 5 other essential services

Standard Overseas Visitors cover & Flex 50

• Get 50% or more back at the provider of your choice
• Freedom to use your $800 combined annual limit how you want across a range of services 2

Working Visa Hospital cover & Flex 50

Working Visa Hospital cover

• Meets Visa condition 8501
• Peace of mind you’re covered for a large range of hospital services, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer, heart and vascular system and pregnancy and birth

Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover & Complete 60

Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover

Complete 60

• Cover for all extras services
• Get 60% or more back at the provider of your choice

Why trust HBF for your health insurance

Hbf health members also get access to great discounts and health programs.

• Join the gym for less with discounts on gym membership 3
• Work out in style with discounts on fitness apparel 3
• We’ll help you get well with telephone health coaching and other free health programs 4
• Say goodbye to sniffles with a fully covered flu vaccination every year 5

Switching to HBF is as easy as 1, 2, 3

Switching health funds is easier than you think. Follow these three simple steps to switch to HBF in just a few minutes.

• Choose health cover that suits your needs.
• Buy your health cover online. If you’d prefer to chat, visit your local branch or call 133 423 .
• Tell us the name of your old insurer and we’ll do the switching paperwork for you.

Switch to HBF

What is a reciprocal health care agreement, and does it apply to me?

A reciprocal health care agreement is an agreement between two countries to cover certain health care costs. If your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you will be covered for certain health care costs while you’re in Australia, while Australians visiting your country will enjoy the same benefits. The United Kingdom is one of the many countries that has an agreement with Australia. For more information and to find out if you qualify, visit the Services of Australia website.

Can I still get international health insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes. Even if you have a pre-existing condition, you will be able to buy health insurance for your stay in Australia. You will just have to have served a 12-month waiting period before you can claim on any pre-existing conditions.

Do I need to serve waiting periods before I can claim on hospital cover?

Get in touch with hbf.

We'll help you find our best cover that suits your needs.

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Overseas Visitors Health Cover. Welcome to the Health Insurance Fund of Australia.

If you're visiting Australia (or even better, migrating), we’re guessing overseas visitors' health insurance is the last thing you want to think about. Why research private health insurance when there’s so much more interesting stuff to look forward to down under, right? That’s why we’ve made organising overseas visitors' health cover as easy and affordable as possible for international visitors.

Get a Quote

Download our Health Cover Guide

Download our Product Fact Sheet

Organising private health insurance in Australia is convenient and affordable with HIF. 

Just use our handy online quoting tool  to find the policy that best suits your health needs, visa requirements and budget, then you can join on the spot. 

Cover for Working Visa Holders Cover for Non-Working Visa Holders

Understanding the Australian Health System.

So, you’re planning to head ‘down under’. Good for you! Whether you’re going on holiday, visiting relatives or even intending to work there for a while, we know you’ll have a great time. And hopefully, your stay will be accident and illness free too. But just in case the worst does happen, private health insurance is worth considering...

Firstly, let's help you get your head around Medicare eligibility.

When relocating to Australia, you firstly need to ask yourself - are you covered by Medicare, our public health insurance system? And the answer - well, it depends. Residents of some countries enjoy limited Medicare cover, but only for medically necessary care, and only under certain conditions. If you aren’t covered though, you’ll have to pay for hospital or medical treatment, which can be pricey. For instance, an emergency appendix removal can cost as much as $30,000. Ouch! 

Overseas visitors who enter Australia on a temporary visa will not be eligible for Medicare benefits unless they’re an eligible resident of a country that has a 'Reciprocal Health Care Agreement'. Currently, this includes New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Malta, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Slovenia. If you’re visiting Australia from one of these countries, you’re generally covered for medically necessary treatment in a public hospital. You won’t be able to choose your own doctor though, and you also won’t be covered for treatment in a private hospital (only public hospitals), or Extras cover services like dental, optical, chiro or ambulance transport.

Even if you're covered by Medicare though, private health insurance still makes sense. Medicare is good, but it isn’t perfect. There are still waiting lists. And who wants to wait for a doctor when you could be enjoying Australia?

Need a Visa Compliance Letter, pronto?

If you’re applying for an Australian visa, you may need to provide the Department of Home Affairs with a letter of visa compliance from your new health insurer to verify that you have met this requirement.

If you choose to  join HIF  online, a PDF of your Visa Compliance Letter will be emailed to you immediately upon confirming your online application for overseas visitors' health insurance.

Please note: Our Visitor Saver  option for non-working visa holders is not a visa-compliant product and does not meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs visa conditions 8501. We cannot issue a letter of visa compliance for this product.

Want more info?

Visit the Overseas Visitors Health Cover category in our online knowledge base  for more information on Medicare eligibility, visa compliance letters, and why purchasing Overseas Visitors Health Cover is a smart idea.

What do green, blue and yellow Medicare cards represent?

How do I change from visitors cover to a domestic policy?

Will I be eligible for Medicare in Australia?

How quickly will I get my visa compliance letter?

Can I get a refund if my visa is not approved?

What is a reciprocal country?

What is repatriation?

Can I add Extras cover to my Overseas Visitors policy?

How does the health system work in Australia?

What Overseas Visitors products meet Working Visa requirements?

Do I need private health insurance on a Temporary Working visa?

Does the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) affect Overseas Visitors?

Can I switch health funds if I received a visa compliance letter from another fund?

Which Overseas Visitors Cover products meet Non-Working Visa requirements?

Can I claim for the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance as a visitor from a reciprocal country?

What would you like to know? Enter a question or keyword. eg. 'What is..', 'How do I..'

Looking for something else? Browse the HIF Knowledge Base

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Get 6 weeks free on Extras health insurance to help pay for dental, optical, and other costs. New policies. Ends 30 June. T&Cs apply. Call us.

Overseas Visitors Health Cover

Overseas visitors health cover

Receive instant confirmation letter by email., why choose australian unity, get quick and easy access to health insurance to help cover your health costs and meet visa requirements., what's covered.

You'll be covered for a wide range of services and treatments. Features include:

Benefits of overseas visitors health cover

Illnesses and accidents can happen at any time, and medical costs in Australia can add up. Getting health insurance can help pay for medical costs and protect your health Australia-wide.

What's covered:

What services are covered will depend on which product you buy.

Services may include:

Already a member? Login

Understanding overseas visitors health cover

Does australian unity offer health insurance that satisfies the australian government's visa condition 8501 (to maintain adequate health insurance).

Under some visas, you may be required to meet condition 8501. Condition 8501 means that you must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia. All our Working Visitors Covers meet condition 8501. None of our current Non-Working Visitors Covers meet these requirements.

Do I need overseas visitors health cover?

It depends on your type of visa and the visa conditions. For some visas, it is a compulsory requirement to have health insurance while you are in Australia. You can check visa conditions at homeaffairs.gov.au .

Even if health insurance is not a requirement of your visa, it’s still a smart idea. Illnesses and accidents can happen at any time, and medical expenses in Australia can add up. Getting health insurance can help pay for medical costs, giving you peace of mind. We have overseas visitors health cover to suit many different budgets and needs.

What’s included?

Overseas visitors health cover can help pay for some or all medical costs while you’re in Australia. What services are covered will depend on which product you buy. Services may include:

• Doctor and specialist fees
• Hospital treatment, including accommodation and theatre fees
• Emergency ambulance
• Day surgery and procedures
• In-hospital pharmacy
• Prescription medications from the chemist

For a full list of inclusions, limits, exclusions and waiting periods that may apply, read the Fact Sheet and our Member Guide .

Overseas visitors health cover generally doesn’t include health services like dental, physiotherapy, and optical. Speak to one of our consultants about Extras health insurance which you can purchase to help cover some of these costs.

How do I make a claim/get my money back for medical expenses?

For services such as visiting a doctor or specialist, you can claim online or send us a copy of your receipt with a claim form by mail.

If you have to go to hospital, the hospital will usually contact us directly to process your claim, so you won't receive a bill for your treatment if you are covered.

Find out more about lodging a claim .

How do I receive my confirmation letter?

Once you select and purchase an overseas visitors health cover from Australian Unity, you will automatically receive your confirmation letter by email. Please provide a valid email address to ensure the letter reaches you.

Can I purchase health insurance on behalf of someone else?

Yes you can.

If you also want to help them manage their cover, you'll need to get them to complete a Delegated Authority form. This form takes less than 5 minutes to complete and gives Australian Unity consent to deal with both the person who holds the health insurance and you as their representative ( delegated authority ).

You can learn more about Delegated Authority here .

Can a relative or friend manage my membership for me?

Yes. Just complete the Delegated Authority form and return it to Australian Unity. Australian Unity will then be able to discuss your health insurance with that nominated person. This helps us to ensure that your privacy is protected. Find out more on setting up Delegated Authority here .

Unless you tell us otherwise, a partner or spouse included on your policy, will have automatic delegated authority on your policy which allows them to do anything you could do as the policyholder except nominate or cancel other delegated authorities.

Is an interpreter service available?

Yes. We have a free interpreter service. If you have difficulty reading or understanding our documents and you wish to discuss it further with us, then our free interpreter service is available to help on the phone numbers below.

Calling from within Australia 1300 683 782 Calling from outside Australia +61 3 8682 7550

How can I pay for my health insurance?

Your health insurance needs to be paid in advance at all times and can be paid up to a maximum of 12 months in advance. There are two ways you can pay your premiums: 

• Direct debit You can set up a direct debit for your premiums to be automatically paid from your credit card or Australian bank account on a date that matches your selected payment frequency (e.g. monthly, quarterly, yearly).
• Account notice After you make your first payment, you can choose to make future payments by account notice. When you pay by account notice, you'll receive a bill for your health insurance premiums based on your selected payment frequency (e.g monthly, quarterly, yearly). You then need to pay the bill by the due date shown. Instructions describing the different ways you can make payments are included on the account notice.

View all Frequently Asked Questions

Overseas visitor health cover for working/non-working visas

Overseas visitor health cover for working visas

Overseas visitor health cover for non-working visas

Get quick and easy access to health insurance to help cover your health costs and meet visa requirements.

Confirmation letter issued instantly

Affordable health insurance

Help pay for a wide range of medical costs, like emergency ambulance and doctor fees

Dedicated support team to help you

We're here for you

Already in australia, calling from outside australia.

Health insurance for visitors

If you're visiting australia on a 600 visa, overseas visitors health cover (ovhc) can pay for any unexpected medical bills. compare ovhc policies below..

In this guide

Do visitors need health insurance?

What do i get with ovhc, reciprocal health care agreements, ovhc waiting periods, faqs about health insurance for visitors.

Overseas Health

Overseas funds

What you need to know

• If you plan to holiday down under, you need cover for unexpected medical costs.
• The best solve is a visitor OVHC policy, which can be had for a few bucks a day.
• Even with travel insurance, OVHC is still a good idea, because they are specific to the Aussie health care system.

Unlike some other Australian visas, it's not a requirement for tourists to get health insurance for the 600 visa . However, just because it’s not mandatory, doesn’t mean you don’t need cover. The Department of Immigration strongly recommends private health insurance for anyone coming to Australia on a 600 visa. This is for two very important reasons:

• Without it you'll need to pay for all your own medical costs in Australia, whether it’s a dental check up or a trip to the hospital emergency room after a serious accident.
• Injury and sickness is unpredictable, particularly while travelling, so getting health insurance for tourists is an important part of the pre-flight checklist for experienced travellers.

Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is a type of health insurance designed specifically for visitors to Australia. It can cover you for:

Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system, and generally it only covers Australian citizens and permanent residents. Most visitors to Australia aren’t eligible, unless there is an Reciprocal Health Care Agreement in place. This means that if you are visiting Australia from any of the following countries, you may be partially covered by Medicare. Australia has an RHCA with the following countries:

• The United Kingdom
• The Republic of Ireland
• New Zealand
• The Netherlands

While domestic health insurance policies have waiting periods before you can claim, they don't make sense for visitor, as you'll need coverage from the first day you arrive. As such, most visitor OVHC policies have zero waiting periods . That doesn't include pre-existing conditions though, which are never covered.

Just a quick note here - some of the student and working OVHC policies do have waiting period, especially for the more complex cover types. So if you were to somehow change from a visitor to a working visa (I don't know if that happens, I'm not an immigration lawyer) then you may have some waiting periods on your new policy.

Which insurance is best for visitors to Australia?

IF you're a visitor to Australia, especially on the 600 visa, you should get OVHC - specially a 'visitor' policy - from an Aussie insurance fund. This will cover you for accidents and other essential medical care you might need when you're in Australia. Be sure to read the product details to know exactly what's covered.

Does visa 600 need health insurance?

Assume yes. The Aussie government imposes the 8501 condition on some visas that requires you to have 'adequate health insurance'. 8501 is mandatory on working and study visas, but discretionary for 600, depending on the visa stream. If you have condition 8501 on your visa, you need an OVHC policy. To be honest, even if you don't have 8501 on your visa you should still get OVHC.

Do I need OVHC in Australia if I have travel insurance?

If your visa isn't subject to condition 8501 you do need OVHC, even if you have travel insurance. If it's not subject to 8501 then you might be okay with just travel insurance. However, OVHC is a much more reliably option for medical cover in Australia. Because OVHC is build directly with Aussie hospitals, you likely won't need to even see a medical bill at all. On the other hand, travel insurance might need you to pay your medical bills and then claim them later, which could be crazy expensive. Travel insurance is also more likely to not cover everything, where as OVHC is designed to match up with the Aussie medical system pretty tightly.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full profile

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View a range of NIB overseas visitors health insurance policies.

If you’re in Australia on a bridging visa, it’s important that you choose a suitable level of private health insurance cover.

HIF Overseas Visitors Health Cover provide varying levels of hospital and extras cover that complies with visa requirements for those coming to Australia for work or leisure.

HCF Overseas Visitor Health Cover offers hospital and optional extras cover for overseas visitors who are eligible to work in Australia but who are not covered by Medicare.

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Get the best deal on OVHC Insurance

You have a choice for your Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) provider. OVHC Insurance will help you compare policies and find the best suited to you without you paying too much.

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Why Choose OVHC for Comparing Overseas Visitor Health Cover

Meet your 8501 visa requirements.

The 8501 visa condition for Australia mandates that visa holders maintain adequate health insurance. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) meets this requirement by providing comprehensive health coverage for visitors.  Choosing an OVHC compliant with visa conditions is essential for a smooth stay in Australia.

Compare Overseas Visitor Health Cover Providers

OVHC Australia is the only place to compare the prices and value of all 6 OVHC providers in Australia. It saves a lot of time and money for you. Our friendly customer service team is waiting to find you the best offer.

Great customer service

We are available to discuss your requirements by phone, email or web chat. Our operators are knowledgeable and can help ensure you get the best deal on your OVHC insurance.

Quick Application Process & Turnaround Time

You can have your OVHC certification within minutes of applying through our online form. We can post the certificate to you within 24 hours.

Part of the OSHC Australia Group

The OSHC Australia Group is trusted by thousands of foreigners to purchase their Australian Visa Insurance.

If you want to search for a specific visa type, we also offer:

• Overseas Student Health Cover ;
• 485 insurance  for Temporary Graduate Visas; and
• 457 insurance  for Temporary Work (Skilled) Visas.

Suits Student Guardians (590 visa)

Are you looking to live in Australia to provide for the care and welfare arrangements of a student who is less than 18 years of age? If so, then OVHC Insurance is the right insurance for you.

Multi-Lingual Support Team

We have a multi-lingual support team in Australia. This means you don’t have to worry if English is not your first language.

What dates do I choose?

Your OSHC policy must cover the full period of your visa. Therefore, please enter the policy start date as your visa start date and your policy end date as your visa end date.

If you don’t know the dates of your visa, see below for further information.

If you get the dates wrong and need to adjust them, your insurance company will be able to do this quickly and issue you with a new policy with the correct dates.

Your OSHC policy must cover the full period of your visa. Therefore, you need to get a policy which starts the day after your previous policy ends and goes through until your visa end date. You can buy this policy before your current policy ends. When extending your OSHC cover, you can change your OSHC provider.

Your OSHC policy must cover the full period of your visa. Therefore if your policy lapses, you need to get a policy which starts the day after your previous policy ended and goes through until your visa end date.

Your OSHC policy must cover the full period of your visa. Your student visa can be granted up to the maximum duration outlined in the table below.

For more information: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/length-of-stay

Qatar is welcoming 102 countries visa-free, check your visa status here .

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Visa details

Citizens of over 102 countries are eligible for a visa-free entry to the State of Qatar. Allowable lengths of stay vary, and visitors are kindly advised to check with an authorised entity for the terms and conditions that apply.

Visa requirements

Visiting Qatar made easy

Visitors from all around the world can enter Qatar either by obtaining visa on arrival, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.

This webpage  is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.

Visa-free entry

Nationals of eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar, by presenting a valid passport with a minimum validity of three months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. 

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar.

Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macao, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan Vatican city and Venezuela.

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. 

Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa (Visa on Arrival)

This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entry to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City

Visa on arrival – mandated hotel requirement

The Ministry of Interior Qatar currently requires nationals of the countries / regions listed below to hold registration booked through   Discover Qatar website   prior to travelling to Qatar.

India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand.

Tourist visas

The Qatar tourist visa is available to nationals of all countries, except GCC citizens, but citizens of over 101 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival (see Visa-free entry above). Travellers of select nationalities will require to pay a fee to obtain a visa on arrival or apply for a tourist visa prior to travel. Visas can be applied for on the  Hayya platform for a cost of QAR 100. 

Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Aruba, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and  Saba, Botswana, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Congo, Congo (the Democratic Republic  of Congo), Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands (the), Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Heard Island and McDonald  Islands, Holy See (the), Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's  Republic of Korea), Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia (Federated States  of), Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena, Ascension and  Tristan da Cunha, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the  Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Georgia and the South  Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan (Province of China), Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Republic of  Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (U.S.), Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Applying for a visa using the Hayya platform

Thanks to a host of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either by obtaining visa on arrival, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.

This webpage is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.

Hayya card validity extended until 2024

Are you a Hayya Card holder living outside the State of Qatar? We’ve got news! 

The validity of the Hayya Card has been extended and will now allow Hayya Card holders to enter the State of Qatar until February, 2024.

Travel requirements: 

- Proof of a confirmed hotel reservation or accommodation with family or friends approved through the Hayya portal

- Passport valid for no less than three months upon arrival in the State of Qatar 

- Valid health insurance during the period of stay in the country. We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

- Return tickets

All Hayya card holders visiting Qatar will have access to the following:

- The 'Hayya with Me' feature' allowing Hayya Card holders to invite up to three family members or friends

- A multiple-entry permit 

- No fees will apply

Qatar Transit Visa

Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Hamad International Airport for a minimum of 6 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa. Valid for 96 hours (four days) it is free of charge for the 102 visa-free countries. All other nationalities may purchase a visa for QAR 100 in conjunction with a Qatar Airways Stopover or Discover Qatar Transit Tour booking. 

For more information about Qatar Transit tours, please click  here .

Visa Exemptions

Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.

Mandatory health insurance

We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

* Service fees only apply. ** All visas are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Disclaimer: All visa rules and policies for international visitors are subject to change without notice and are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Get expert help to book a dream Qatar trip

Need some help planning your next Qatar holiday or business trip? With Qatar Concierge, our dedicated travel team is here to help you book flights, plus guide you on the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and more. Call  0161 527 4409  and they’ll be happy to help. Please note that this service is not for visa queries, please visit our  Visa page  for more information.

Things to know before travelling

Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.

Getting here

Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.

Travel tips

Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.

Getting around

From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.

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