Does a Subclass 600 Visa Require Health Insurance?

Does every Subclass 600 visa holder have to buy health insurance?

No — not every Visitor visa (subclass 600) holder automatically has the same health insurance condition. Home Affairs says visitors are responsible for their healthcare costs in Australia and strongly recommends adequate health insurance. It also says that, in some circumstances, a Visitor visa may be granted with condition 8501 – Maintain adequate health insurance.

The correct answer therefore depends on the conditions attached to the individual visa grant. The visa grant letter or VEVO should be checked rather than assuming that condition 8501 applies — or does not apply — simply because the visa is Subclass 600.

The key difference: visa requirement vs recommendation

What exactly is condition 8501?

Condition 8501 is an Australian visa condition requiring the visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia. Home Affairs' published list identifies Visitor (Tourist) subclass 600 as a visa for which 8501 can be a discretionary condition.

How do I know whether my 600 visa has condition 8501?

The simplest way is to check the visa grant notification or your current visa details in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). Do not rely on a friend's visa, a previous visa, or a general internet statement because conditions can differ between visa holders.

Why is health insurance recommended even when 8501 does not apply?

Home Affairs explains that the majority of visitors do not have access to Medicare and are financially responsible for hospital, medical and other healthcare costs they incur in Australia. Without an appropriate level of private insurance, a visitor can be treated as a private patient and required to pay treatment costs themselves.

The Australian Government's Private Health website also warns that overseas visitors can face substantial out-of-pocket costs and notes that hospital fees alone can exceed $1,000 per day for overseas visitors.

What is “adequate” health insurance?

Where a visa requires health insurance, Home Affairs provides guidance on minimum benefit levels intended to reduce financial risk. It also cautions that healthcare costs are unlikely to be covered completely. The appropriate policy therefore needs to be considered against the visa requirement and the visitor's own circumstances.

OVHC — Overseas Visitors Health Cover — is commonly used by overseas visitors, but not every OVHC product provides the same level of cover. The Government advises consumers to pay attention to what is and is not covered because not all OVHC products are comprehensive.

Does the insurance have to be from an Australian insurer?

Home Affairs says private health cover provided by Australian or overseas health insurance companies may be acceptable. However, if the visa has a specific insurance condition, the cover still needs to be suitable for that requirement. Evidence of a current policy may be requested in some circumstances.

What if I am eligible for Medicare?

Most temporary visitors are not generally eligible for Medicare. Australia does, however, have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with certain countries, and eligible visitors may receive specified Medicare benefits under those agreements.

Reciprocal Medicare is not the same as comprehensive private health insurance. The Australian Government advises that reciprocal benefits can be limited and that visitors should still consider OVHC for services or costs outside the agreement.

Does condition 8501 apply to every 600 stream?

Home Affairs' Visitor visa pages make clear that insurance is strongly recommended because visitors are responsible for healthcare costs. The Tourist and Business Visitor information also states that condition 8501 may be imposed in some circumstances. Because the conditions on an individual grant are decisive, the safest approach is always to check the actual grant letter or VEVO.

What happens if you do not maintain required insurance?

If condition 8501 is attached to the visa, maintaining adequate health insurance is one of the visa holder's conditions. Allowing required cover to lapse can therefore raise visa-compliance issues as well as expose the visitor to healthcare costs. Visitors subject to 8501 should keep their policy active for the required period and promptly address any payment, cancellation or eligibility issue with their insurer.

Home Affairs also notes that visitors are financially responsible for healthcare debts incurred in Australia and that outstanding health debts may be considered in future visa applications.

When should 600 visitor health insurance start and finish?

The appropriate dates depend on the visitor's travel dates, visa conditions and policy terms. If condition 8501 applies, the visa holder must maintain adequate arrangements while in Australia. Visitors should avoid unexplained gaps in required cover and should check with the insurer before changing or cancelling a policy.

What should you compare if you need visitor health insurance?

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General information only. Visa conditions, Medicare eligibility and insurance requirements can vary. Check your individual visa grant letter or VEVO, current Department of Home Affairs information and the insurer's current product documents before purchasing, changing or cancelling cover.