Whilst Permanent Visa holders have access to medicare facilities, most temporary residents have to maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia. In the visa grant letter, the Department of Home Affairs include a condition identified by the number 8501 visa condition.
If this visa condition is there on your visa you need to take out health insurance for coming to Australia. Some of the examples of visa classes include;
- Working Holiday Visa (417)
- Work and Holiday Visa (462)
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
- Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
- Student Visa (subclass 500)
- Visitor (subclass 600)
There are several Australian insurers that offer cover tailored to visa holders. When you approach a health insurance provider indicate that you are subject to this condition and they will recommend the policy options available for you.
It is also noteworthy that sub class 491 which comes under a temporary skilled visa is not subject to this condition and are entitled to medicare.