Your Health Matters: OSHC and OVHC Explained

Types of Health Insurance for Migrants

1. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
   Overseas Visitor Health Cover is specifically designed for temporary visa holders. It provides coverage for essential medical services during your stay in Australia, including doctor visits, hospital treatments, and emergency services. Many visa categories, such as student visas and working holiday visas, require you to have OVHC to meet visa conditions.

2. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
   If you are an international student in Australia, you will need to take out OSHC. This insurance covers basic medical expenses, including doctor consultations, hospital treatments, and some medications. OSHC is a requirement for all international students on a student visa (subclass 500) and must be maintained throughout the duration of your stay.

3. Private Health Insurance
   If you are applying for a permanent visa or are planning a long-term stay in Australia, you may want to explore private health insurance options. These policies provide a higher level of coverage, including access to private hospitals and additional services like dental, optical, and physiotherapy. It also provides a wider range of choices in healthcare providers.

4. Medicare
   As a permanent resident or citizen of Australia, you will be eligible for Medicare, the public healthcare system. It provides free or subsidized healthcare services such as hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription medications. However, migrants on temporary visas do not have access to Medicare unless they are from certain countries that have reciprocal health care agreements with Australia.

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance:

• Visa Requirements: Make sure the insurance provider offers the coverage required for your specific visa.
• Coverage and Benefits: Check what is included in the plan, such as hospital cover, general doctor visits, medications, dental, and optical services.
• Cost: Compare different providers and plans to find one that suits your budget while providing adequate coverage.
• Waiting Periods: Some policies may have waiting periods before certain benefits can be accessed, so check the details carefully.

Before migrating, it’s advisable to carefully review the health insurance options available to ensure you comply with visa conditions and have the coverage you need while living in Australia.