Why do overseas workers need health insurance?
Whether you’re looking to gain work experience after finishing your studies, moving to Australia for your dream job, or here for a quick visit for a specialised purpose, you may need to arrange health insurance as part of your visa application.
While having private health insurance is a mandatory condition of many visas, it can also help pay for hospital, medical, ambulance and general health services, like dental and optical, that you may need during your time away. As well as giving you greater flexibility over when and where you can receive medical treatment.
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. A waiting period is the time you need to wait after taking out your cover before you can receive benefits for services or items.
What are out-of-pocket expenses?
An out-of-pocket expense is the money you pay for hospital, medical or extras service or item that are not repaid by Medibank. Find out more about possible out-of-pocket expenses.
Why choose Medibank's Overseas Health Cover?
24/7 Medibank Nurse & Mental Health Support
Need Support? Chat with a registered nurse or mental health professional over the phone or online to discuss health questions or concerns at no extra cost1. Call 1800 644 325 or log in to My Medibank to chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visa compliant cover
Medibank offers a range of cover options that can meet your visa health insurance requirements for working or studying in Australia.
Protect against the unexpected
No matter which Medibank Overseas Workers Health Cover you choose, your cover includes unlimited emergency ambulance Australia-wide.+
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.
1Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.
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).