Why do visitors need health insurance?
International visitors, to Australia are generally not eligible for funding from Medicare when using our national health care system.
Like most countries in the world, health care costs in Australia can be expensive. Even a few days in hospital for a routine operation can cost thousands of dollars in hospital charges and doctors’ fees. This is where having a Medibank Overseas Visitors Health Cover can help.
For people visiting Australia, Overseas Visitors Health Cover can help pay towards the costs of a range of in-hospital procedures, such as ear, nose and throat procedures. It can also help pay towards the cost of Included out-of-hospital medical services, such as visits to a general practitioner (GP) for a cough or cold, or seeing a specialist for x-rays or blood tests. Medibank Extras cover can also be purchased separately for services such as dental and optical.
Overseas Visitors cover offer - Want 2 weeks free?*
New members who take out Medibank Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical Cover can enjoy 2 weeks free when they maintain cover for 14 consecutive days and sign up to direct debit by 31 December 2024*. Use promo code: VISIT2
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More information about healthcare in Australia
What health insurance do I need for my Australian visa?
Are you planning on visiting Australia for work, study or travel? If the answer is yes, you will need to apply for a visa.
Should you go to the doctor, or the hospital emergency department?
There's a lot of confusion about when you should visit a doctor (GP), or call an ambulance to take you to the hospital emergency department.
Overseas health cover with Medibank
Find health cover to match your needs while you're in Australia, plus take out Overseas Workers Health Cover or Overseas Student Health Cover and receive your visa health insurance certificate as soon as you purchase online.
What to do if you get sick in Australia
Here is a simple guide to help you get the right medical attention if you need it.
Understanding waiting periods
All health funds have waiting periods. In short, a waiting period is a period of time you need to wait after taking out your cover before you can receive benefits for services or items covered.
What are out-of-pocket expenses?
It's any expense for a hospital, medical or extras service or item for which you won't be reimbursed by us. Read on to find out more about possible out-of-pocket expenses.
Why choose Medibank's Overseas Health Cover?
Trusted health partner
Medibank is an Australian leading health insurer with over 4.1 million members and almost 50 years expereince in private health insurance.
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 Support & 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Support
Need support? Medibank health insurance members can speak to a registered nurse or mental health professional at no extra cost3. Chat online or call 1800 644 325 to discuss any health questions or concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Information about healthcare terms
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.
Visitor, working and working holiday (OVHC)
Speak to one of our friendly staff for sales and policy enquiries.
Medibank 微信公众号
扫描二维码或搜索Medibank_AU，获取新会员优惠、促销资讯以及健康信息和中文服务。
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.
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
*Offer available until 31 December 2024. Must take out eligible Medibank Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical (any excess level) 31 December 2024. Must not have held any Medibank Health cover within the last 60 days. For new members on new memberships residing in Australia on a visitor’s visa. Must be over the age of 18. Offer available via phone, retail, web, messaging. Must quote promo code ‘VISIT2’ when joining. Member must sign up to and maintain direct debit. Excludes Overseas Visitors Everyday Hospital and Medical, Overseas Workers Health covers, all Corporate covers, all residential hospital and extras covers, Overseas Students Health Cover, Ambulance Cover, ahm covers, and other selected covers. Not available if the Policy Holder has already taken up this offer, or they have taken up any other discount offer from Medibank within 12 months from the policy start date. Not available to Medibank employees. Member take up of the offer is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Medibank reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions without notice from time to time. It is the customers' responsibility to ensure they hold an appropriate health cover product to meet their visa requirements.
2 weeks free terms:
Member must maintain direct debit and keep policy premium payments up to date and hold eligible cover for 14 consecutive days from the policy start date to get next 2 weeks free. If the member changes to an ineligible cover during this period, or they terminate or suspend their cover, 2 weeks free will not be issued.
3Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.