Even when health insurance is not explicitly required for your application, it can strengthen your case by showing you have adequate arrangements for healthcare. More importantly, it protects your budget if you need to see a GP, specialist, receive hospital care, or require an emergency ambulance. The most effective approach is to select a policy that aligns with your length of stay, destinations, and personal health requirements.
Key facts
- Health insurance for Visitor visa 600 is strongly recommended (and sometimes required) to avoid high medical and ambulance costs, so check your grant letter or VEVO for any 8501 condition.
- OVHC is designed for care inside Australia (hospital, outpatient, emergency ambulance per policy) while travel insurance is trip-based, and many visitors use both for fuller protection.
- Pick a policy that matches your stay and health needs, keep proof of cover, and either use direct billing or submit itemised receipts promptly for fast reimbursements.
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Health Insurance For Visitors Visa 600
Planning a trip to Australia? You might want health insurance
Are you or your loved ones planning a trip to Australia? Then one of the first steps you might want to consider is getting a visitor visa 600 health insurance. Because unless your country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, you will not be covered for any medical expenses, and medical treatment in Australia is extremely expensive.
After all, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on unexpected medical costs when you could spend it on having an Australia adventure.
Let us help you choose a health insurance option that best suits your tourist circumstances and budget.
Visitor Visa 600
health insurance
You might need to purchase a visitor visa 600 health insurance if you want your application for an Australian visitor’s visa to be successful. Medical care in Australia can cost you a fortune if you do not have the appropriate health insurance, with hospital treatment exceeding $1,500 AUD per day!
Who needs a visa to visit Australia?
Pretty much everybody planning to visit Australia as a tourist or travelling on business will need to apply for a visitor’s visa beforehand. Although New Zealand passport holders only need apply when they arrive in Australia.
The type of visa you’ll need depends on your reason for visiting, the duration of your stay and your passport. There are 3 primary types of visitors visas available:
- Visitor Visa Subclass 600
- eVisitor Subclass 651
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa subclass 601
Visitor Visa Subclass 600
This visa allows you to visit Australia for 3, 6 or 12 months whether it is to see family, do business or enjoy a well-deserved holiday. The application costs start at about $140 AUD per person applying.
eVisitor Subclass 651
As a guest of Australia, you may only apply for this visa if you have a passport from an eligible country. Although most European countries are eligible, you will need to find out whether your country qualifies or not.
An eVisitor refers to the electronically-stored permission that allows you to enter Australia as a visitor for up to 12 months. Once this time period has expired, it cannot be extended.
Should you wish to leave while your eVisitor pass is still valid, you will need to keep your old passport with you, as your eVisitor is attached to this.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa subclass 601
This is purely a visitor’s visa. You may not conduct business in Australia with an ETA. Instead, it allows you to stay for up to 12 months, but you cannot exceed three months at a time. Although no charge is levied when you apply for this visa, it has a service charge of $20 AUD when applying online.
How long can you stay, renew or extend?
- A Visitor 600 is granted for specific stay periods (often 3, 6 or 12 months). If you want to stay longer, you apply for a new visa; you can’t “extend” the same visa.
- Some 600 visas have Condition 8503 “No Further Stay”, which blocks most onshore applications unless a waiver is granted.
- Long-validity 600 visas may include a “12 months in any 18 months” total-stay limit (Condition 8558). Always read your grant letter and check VEVO.
Which health funds offer the cheapest health insurance for 600 Visa?
If you are looking for the cheapest health insurance for Visa 600, you have an array of funds to choose from. Keep in mind that although the price is important, it shouldn’t be your primary reason for choosing a specific policy. You must take into account your health, age and personal needs.
We’ve listed some of the most affordable health funds from which you can get health insurance for visa 600. Premiums were based on the details of a single adult visiting Australia as a tourist.
Australian Unity’s offers 3 popular health cover holiday cover options. Note, all 3 require a $500 excess fee for hospital cover.
- Basic overseas visitors cover: Premiums from $93.70 per month. Includes treatment at a private hospital in a shared room, and covers doctors’ and specialists’ fees. You’ll also receive 100% back for in-hospital pharmacy purchases, up to $2,500.
- Mid overseas visitors cover: A monthly premium starting at $115.75. Claim up to 80% for treatment in a public hospital or receive treatment in a private room (when available) in a private hospital.
- Top overseas visitors cover: Premiums from $192.95 per month with an annual benefit limit of $150,000. You are fully covered for treatment in a private room (when available) in a private hospital. This cover also includes 3 ambulance attendances for times when you might not be taken to hospital, but need an ambulance.
Frank is one of Australia’s cheapest and most versatile health insurance providers. Frank’s Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) offers you simple, low-cost hospital cover options:
- Frank Minimum Working Visa Cover: Premiums from $75.00 a month with an annual $500 hospital admission excess.
- Basic Hospital: Smart but cheap, you simply get what you pay for. Up to 55% can be claimed for some of the Extras.
The Hospitals Contribution Fund (HCF) is one of the largest health insurance companies in Australia and offers a variety of hospital and extras cover options with your choice of excess; each compliant with the Visitor’s Visa 600. Higher benefits are offered the longer you maintain your HCF cover.
- Young Starter Hospital & Extra: Monthly premiums from $105.40. This might suit you best as a young single or couple looking for health cover before visiting Australia.
Medibank health policies are generally suitable for applicants of Visa 600 and Visa 651.
- Overseas Visitor Health Insurance premiums start at $130 per month, with medium hospital services and a $300 excess fee.
nib health policies meet the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) visa requirements. Choose from:
- Budget Visitor Cover: From $75.62 per month with no excess. Covers all in-patient hospital services.
- Value Plus: Medium level hospital cover plus access to general health needs starting at $98.00 per month
- Basic Working Visa Cover: High-level Hospital Cover from $138.67 per month
- Mid working Visitor Cover: For active people wanting a high level of hospital cover and extras like physio. Premiums start at $273 per month.
- Top Working Visa: includes a range of Extras like optical and dental. Premiums start from $322.83 per month.
Peoplecare
This health fund is seen by many as Australia’s largest general international insurance approved for visitors’ Visa 600. Peoplecare offers two visa compliant online packages from as little as $72 per month.
- Budget Visitors: This covers you for hospital and ambulance services and requires an excess of $500. You might get a refund on some of your premiums if you leave Australia before the agreed-upon date.
- Visitors Plus: Cover includes out-of-hospital services, in-hospital services, ambulance and medical repatriation.
- Basic: An entry-level cover that requires an excess of $500.
How to claim for visitor’s health insurance?
When you claim you need to complete 4 simple steps:
- Download and complete a health cover claim form from the health fund you chose.
- Attach all medal receipts to the form.
- Scan the completed form and any relevant attachments (e.g. receipts).
- Send it to your health insurance provider. You can generally email or fax the completed forms.
Once your claim has been approved, the money will be deposited directly into your nominated Australian Bank or Credit Union Account.
Should you decide to leave Australia early, you can generally claim for a minimum of 1-month refund, calculated on a pro-rata basis. This request should be lodged with your health insurer.
Once in Australia, how long can I visit for and should I renew my health Insurance?
You can visit for up to three months at a time. At this point, you must leave the country. However, you may then re-enter and stay for a further three months. In the event of extending your stay, you will need to apply for the Long-Stay Tourist Visa (subclass 646).
Can I extend my visit once in Australia?
Yes, you can extend your visit once in Australia. You will need the Long Stay e600 Visitor Visa. However, a Long Stay Visa has certain conditions:
- You may not work while in Australia.
- You may not study for more than 3 months while in Australia.
Can I switch to a different health insurer once in Australia?
Yes, you can switch to a different health insurance once in Australia. Switching is easy and might even save you money.
- Contact the new health insurance you wish to switch to.
- Inform them about your current Overseas Health Cover. Most insurers, for example, Frank, will contact your old fund on your behalf and complete the switch.
- You’ll usually have to wait up to 2 weeks for your transfer certificate
In conclusion, if you’re planning on visiting Australia then you need health insurance for visa 600 so you do not have to worry about unexpected injuries or illnesses while enjoying your holiday. If you’d like some help comparing policies and finding the right cover for your specific circumstances then visit allianzassistancehealth.com.au or a health fund that provides Visa 600 health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Is health insurance mandatory for a Visitor visa 600?
Health insurance is not automatically mandatory for every Visitor 600 application, but you may be asked to show adequate arrangements for health costs. Some grants include a condition that requires you to maintain insurance for your entire stay. Even when it is not a formal requirement, cover is strongly recommended because medical and ambulance costs can be significant. Always check your grant letter or online visa status to confirm your specific conditions.
What kind of cover should I get for a Visitor 600: OVHC or travel insurance?
Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is designed for treatment inside Australia, such as GP visits, hospital care, and emergency ambulance, depending on the policy. Travel insurance is trip based and focuses on emergencies overseas plus non-medical benefits like trip cancellation and lost baggage. Many visitors choose both for fuller protection during their stay. If you buy a single policy only, make sure it clearly covers the medical services you are most likely to need in Australia.
How does ambulance cover work for visitors in Australia?
Ambulance services can be costly and are not covered by Medicare for visitors. Charges and rules differ by state and territory, so you should not rely on local resident concessions. Look for a policy that clearly includes emergency ambulance and keep your membership or policy details handy. If an ambulance is required, having the right cover can prevent a large out-of-pocket bill.
How do I make a claim if I see a doctor or go to hospital?
If your provider offers direct billing with your insurer, you can present your membership card and the clinic will bill the insurer. Otherwise, you will pay upfront and claim a reimbursement by submitting itemized invoices, receipts, and any discharge summaries. Most insurers accept claims through an app or online portal and pay to your nominated bank account. Processing times vary, so keep copies of all documents and submit promptly.
Can I switch insurers during my visit or get a refund if I leave early?
You can usually switch insurers, and it is wise to line up the new policy start date so you are always covered. Ask the new fund whether they will recognize waiting periods you have already served. If you leave Australia earlier than planned, many insurers offer a pro rata refund for unused cover, subject to their rules. Check transfer and refund conditions before you buy so there are no surprises later.