Do you need health insurance for a subclass 485 visa?
Temporary Graduate visa applicants should arrange adequate health insurance for their intended stay in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs provides specific guidance about health insurance for visa holders and applicants, and your individual visa conditions should always be checked against your own application and grant documentation.
What is condition 8501?
Condition 8501 means that a visa holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia. Home Affairs indicates that condition 8501 may be attached to the Temporary Graduate visa. Your own visa grant letter or VEVO is the appropriate place to confirm which conditions apply to you.
Adequate health cover
The cover should be appropriate for your visa and provide the health-insurance arrangements required for your circumstances in Australia.
Keep cover in force
If condition 8501 applies, maintaining adequate insurance is an ongoing visa condition rather than simply something to arrange on the day you apply.
Check your evidence
Keep your insurer’s policy certificate or confirmation of cover available so you can provide evidence of your health insurance when required.
Check start dates carefully
When changing from OSHC to another type of cover, coordinate the end and start dates so that you do not accidentally create a gap in insurance.
Can you use OSHC for a 485 visa?
OSHC is designed for international students. When moving from a Student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa, applicants commonly move to Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) or another suitable health-insurance product for temporary graduates or workers. Insurers may describe these products as working visitor, overseas worker or 485 visa health cover.
When should your 485 health insurance start?
The correct timing depends on your circumstances, including your current visa, existing OSHC and the date of your new cover. The key objective is to have appropriate evidence for the 485 application while avoiding an unintended gap between your existing cover and the new policy.
Check your existing OSHC
Confirm the current policy end date and whether you are still relying on that cover for your Student visa.
Compare suitable 485 cover
Compare premiums as well as hospital benefits, medical services, excesses, waiting periods and exclusions.
Choose the new policy start date
Coordinate the commencement of the new cover with your visa and existing insurance circumstances.
Keep your policy confirmation
Retain the certificate or confirmation issued by the insurer as evidence of your cover.
What should you compare before buying?
Premium is only one consideration. Review hospital cover, outpatient medical benefits, ambulance cover, hospital excess, waiting periods, pre-existing-condition rules, exclusions and any limits that apply. If you are transferring from another Australian health insurer, ask the new insurer how previously served waiting periods are treated.
Does Medicare replace 485 health insurance?
Medicare eligibility depends on individual circumstances, including nationality and eligibility under Australia’s health-care arrangements. Do not assume that access to Medicare automatically removes a visa-related health-insurance requirement. Check your visa conditions and obtain advice relevant to your circumstances if needed.
Which insurers can you compare?
Policy Direct currently compares 485 health-cover options from AIA Health, nib, Medibank, Allianz Care and Bupa. The main comparison page lets you review indicative prices and then open each provider page for more information before obtaining a live insurer quote.
Compare 485 Visa Health Insurance
Compare five insurers, indicative prices, provider information and current offers in one place.
Compare 485 Health InsuranceFrequently asked questions
Is health insurance required before lodging a 485 visa application?
Applicants should ensure they meet the health-insurance requirements relevant to the Temporary Graduate visa and have appropriate evidence of cover. Check the current Home Affairs requirements for your application.
What does adequate health insurance mean for a 485 visa?
The insurance should be appropriate for your visa circumstances and provide suitable health-insurance arrangements for your stay in Australia. Check the current visa requirements and the exact insurer product.
What is condition 8501?
Condition 8501 requires a visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia. Check your own visa grant letter or VEVO to confirm the conditions applying to you.
Does condition 8501 apply to every 485 visa?
Visa conditions can depend on the individual visa. Check your own grant letter or VEVO rather than assuming that every subclass 485 holder has identical conditions.
What proof of health insurance should I keep?
Keep the policy certificate, confirmation letter or other evidence supplied by your insurer showing the cover purchased and its relevant dates.
Can I use OSHC for a 485 visa?
OSHC is designed for international students. People moving from a Student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa commonly consider an appropriate overseas worker or visitor health-cover product for their new circumstances.
What happens to my OSHC when I move to a 485 visa?
Coordinate your existing OSHC and new cover carefully. Check policy dates and any refund or cancellation arrangements with your OSHC insurer so that you do not unintentionally create a gap in cover.
When should my 485 health insurance start?
The appropriate start date depends on your existing cover, visa circumstances and application timing. Arrange the dates carefully and keep evidence of the new policy.
Can there be a gap between OSHC and my new 485 cover?
Avoid an unintended gap. If you are required to maintain adequate health insurance, coordinate the end of one policy and commencement of the next carefully.
Can I buy the cheapest 485 policy available?
You can compare by price, but also review benefits, hospital excess, outpatient services, waiting periods, exclusions, limits and suitability for your circumstances.
What should I compare between 485 health insurance policies?
Compare premiums, hospital cover, outpatient medical benefits, ambulance, excesses, waiting periods, pre-existing-condition rules, exclusions and benefit limits.
Do waiting periods apply to 485 health insurance?
Waiting periods may apply depending on the insurer, product and treatment. Review the current policy documents for the exact cover selected.
Can previous waiting periods be recognised when changing insurers?
Transfer arrangements vary. Ask the new insurer whether previously served waiting periods can be recognised and what evidence is required.
Does Medicare replace the need for 485 health insurance?
Medicare eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Do not assume Medicare access removes any visa-related insurance requirement; check the conditions applying to your visa.
Which 485 health insurers can I compare through Policy Direct?
Policy Direct currently compares AIA Health, nib, Medibank, Allianz Care and Bupa. Use the main 485 comparison page to review indicative prices and provider information.
General information only. Visa and insurance requirements can change and individual circumstances differ. Check current Department of Home Affairs requirements and the insurer’s current policy information before making a decision.