This article is for people planning to travel, work, study, or live in Australia who want to understand basic healthcare and health insurance options.
Important
Workinitiatives does not provide health insurance, medical advice, financial advice, or migration advice.
You are responsible for checking whether you are eligible for Medicare and whether you need private health insurance for your visa, personal needs, or travel plans.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system.
It can help cover some healthcare costs, including treatment from certain healthcare professionals and some medicines.
However, Medicare does not cover every healthcare cost.
Medicare may not cover:
ambulance transport
private hospital treatment
dental treatment
cosmetic procedures
some specialist services
some medicines or out-of-pocket costs
some allied health services
Access to Medicare is only available to eligible people. Not all visitors, migrants, or visa holders can access Medicare.
Can visa holders access Medicare?
Some visa holders may be eligible for Medicare, depending on their visa type, passport country, and personal circumstances.
Some countries also have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia, which may provide limited access to Medicare for eligible visitors.
If you are unsure whether you can access Medicare, check the official Medicare eligibility information or speak with the relevant government department.
What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover?
Overseas Visitor Health Cover, also known as OVHC, is private health insurance for people visiting or staying in Australia who may not be fully covered by Medicare.
OVHC may help cover healthcare costs such as:
Healthcare cost | Why OVHC may help |
Doctor visits | Some policies may contribute to GP or medical appointments |
Hospital treatment | Some policies may cover eligible hospital costs |
Emergency treatment | Some policies may help with urgent medical care |
Ambulance services | Some policies may include ambulance cover |
Prescription medicines | Some policies may help with certain medication costs |
The exact coverage depends on the insurance provider and policy you choose.
Do I need private health insurance?
You may want to consider private health insurance if:
you are not eligible for Medicare
your visa requires health insurance
you want additional healthcare coverage
you want help covering hospital or medical costs
you want ambulance cover
you want more peace of mind while living or travelling in Australia
Some visa types may require you to maintain adequate health insurance while you are in Australia.
Always check your visa conditions and policy requirements before choosing health insurance.
Before choosing health insurance
Before purchasing health insurance, check:
whether you are eligible for Medicare
whether your visa requires health insurance
what the policy covers
what the policy does not cover
whether ambulance cover is included
whether hospital treatment is included
whether there are waiting periods
whether pre-existing conditions are covered
how to make a claim
how much the policy costs
whether the policy is suitable for your visa type
Read the policy terms carefully before buying.