What is Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)?
Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance designed for visitors who plan on working in Australia.
OVHC can help cover medical essentials such as emergency care, hospital accommodation and hospital treatment. Some OVHC policies also cover doctor consultations. It’s designed to protect visitors from high out-of-pocket medical costs while working in Australia.
For many popular work visas, such as subclass 482 and 485, OVHC is mandatory. Working holiday visas 417 and 462 may also require OVHC. Your requirements will depend on whether your visa is subject to a condition called 8501. All visitors to Australia under condition 8501 will need to hold ‘adequate health insurance’ for the duration of their stay.
Is OVHC private health insurance?
OVHC and private health insurance both offer medical coverage, but they’re not the same.
OVHC is a type of private health insurance for international visitors who aren’t eligible for Medicare. It covers services like emergency ambulance, hospital stays, and medical care when you’re admitted to hospital. Some policies also include benefits for out-of-hospital doctor visits and prescription medicines.
OVHC is mandatory for many visitor visas, while private health insurance is optional for Australian residents.
Which provider has the cheapest Overseas Visitors Health Cover?
CBHS International Health offers low-cost Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) for singles working in Australia.
Coverage starts from $59.97 AUD/month with $500 hospital excess.
Our Overseas Worker Base Hospital product has been rated 5-stars by Canstar.
Who is OVHC for?
If you’re planning to work in Australia or come to Australia on a working holiday, you’ll need to hold Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) if your visa conditions include 8501 and protect yourself against the high cost of medical care.
Our cover is compliant for the following visas:
- 457 (temporary work – skilled)
- 403 (temporary work – international relations)
- 408 (temporary activity)
- 407 (training visa)
- 482 (skills in demand)
- 485 (temporary graduate)
- 590 (student guardian)
Why choose CBHS International for your OVHC?
- Affordable health insurance
Enjoy low-cost OVHC starting from just $59.97/month
- Trusted provider with more than 70-year history
Our parent company has been looking after Australians’ health cover needs since 1951.
- Meet your visa requirements
Our OVHC is 100% compliant with your visitor visa
- 24/7 access to top-level helpline1
Get quality medical and personal assistance anytime, any day, in any language.
What are the different OVHC plans available with CBHS International?
Overseas Worker Base Hospital
Basic level of insurance that helps you with the cost of:
- in-hospital medical treatment and services
- accident and emergency ambulance services
- hospital accommodation2
- theatre, intensive care and labour ward at agreement private hospitals (unless service is for restricted benefit) and at public hospitals
- emergency department facility fee where you're admitted to hospital
Does not cover out-of-hospital or outpatient medical services, or out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits.
$5997 per month
- Meets your visa requirements
- Instant confirmation of cover
- Hospital accommodation2 and in-hospital treatment
Overseas Worker Mid Hospital and Medical
Intermediate insurance which helps you with the cost of:
- out-of-hospital medical services (including doctor visits, X-rays, and blood tests)
- out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits
- in-hospital medical treatment and services
- accident and emergency ambulance services
- hospital accommodation2
- theatre, intensive care and labour ward at agreement private hospitals (unless service is for restricted benefit) and at public hospitals
- emergency department facility fee where you're admitted to hospital
$9598 per month
- Meets your visa requirements
- Instant confirmation of cover
- Hospital accommodation2 and in-hospital treatment
- Telehealth doctor services
- Prescription medicines (out-of-hospital)
Overseas Worker Top Hospital and Medical
Comprehensive insurance which gives you extra help with the cost of:
- out-of-hospital medical services (including doctor visits, X-rays, and blood tests)
- a higher level of out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits
- in-hospital medical treatment and services
- accident and emergency ambulance services
- hospital accommodation2
- theatre, intensive care and labour ward at agreement private hospitals and at public hospitals
- emergency department facility fee
$18499 per month
- Meets your visa requirements
- Instant confirmation of cover
- Hospital accommodation2 and in-hospital treatment
- Telehealth doctor services
- A higher level of prescription medicines (out-of-hospital)
- No restricted benefits