Why we like it: HCF Top Working Visa was the cheapest policy on Finder that we considered 'comprehensive', including a wider range of coverage than most basic policies, including out-of-hospital services.
For domestic policies, HCF gives back a greater percentage of premiums as benefits than any other health fund that offers OVHC. This doesn't mean it will be exactly the same for overseas policies, but it's a good sign.
HCF is fully not-for-profit, meaning they exist for the benefit of policy holders, not shareholders. HCF is the largest not-for-profit fund offering overseas policies - Frank is also not-for-profit but quite a bit smaller, while Allianz is a for-profit company with a not-for-profit underwriter, Peoplecare, for OVHC.
Covers non-hospital treatments including dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.
Choice of excess: $250 or $0.
A very high $100,000 benefit limit for medical repatriation.
Meets the 8501 visa requirement.
Fewer agreement hospitals than some other funds.
Best Top Cover: AllianzCare Budget Working Cover
Why we like it: Allianz Top Working Cover is the most comprehensive OVHC policy available on Finder, with a massive range of coverage categories available.
Covers a massive range of treatments, both in and out-of-hospital.
Covers GP and specialist appointments, prescribed medicines and medical tests.
Covers basic extras like physio and dental, as well as complex extras like hearing aids and speech therapy.
Underwritten by Peoplecare, a well-established not-for-profit health fund in Australia.
Meets the 8501 visa requirement.
Expensive. However, Allianz offers a wide range of cheaper policies too
Why we like it: Frank Basic Workers Cover offers overseas visitors coverage for the basics while at a cheap cost. It may not be as thorough in coverage but it offers the essentials for those who need them on a budget.
Frank Basic Workers Cover is the cheapest OVHC policy available on Finder that also meets the visa 8501 requirements.
Policies start from around $60 per month.
It covers 18 different health services.
It is less comprehensive than other providers.
It does not cover GP visits.
Its medical repatriation limit is $10,000. Other providers double this limit.
Why we like it: Of all the standard OSHC offers in the market, Medibank comes out on top when comparing features that have substantive differences between health funds. For example, Medibank has above average coverage for telehealth and has no waiting period for pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
Medibank OSHC will cover treatment in public hospitals and private hospitals, even outside its partner network. That said, you're still best to get treatment at a public or agreement hospital, to lower the risk of paying extra fees.
Offers cover on a wide range of treatments, including GP visits and telehealth.
Covers you for treatment in all hospitals, not just in its partner network.
Medibank is Australia's largest health fund (along with ahm, which it owns).
Meets the health insurance requirement for student visas.
While Medibank isn't the most expensive OSHC policy in the market, there are cheaper options available.
What is OVHC?
Overseas Visitor Health Cover, or OVHC, is a type of health insurance made for people in Australian on a visa. If you're visiting Australia on a working visa or tourist visa, then an OVHC policy will give you the health cover that you need to meet your visa requirements. It also will make sure you don't pay a crazy amount of money if you need treatment while you're here.
What is OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC, is a special type of policy specifically made for students. If you're on a student visa then you'll need OSHC, except in a few very specifc circumstances. Your school or university might have an agreement with a particular insurer to make it easier, but you can also buy your own policy.
Do I need OVHC?
Anyone in Australia on a working, tourist or student visa will need 'adequate health insurance' for the duration of their trip. This is generally detailed in the 8501 visa condition. For most folks, that will mean OVHC or OSHC.
There are only a couple of exceptions to this rule:
If you're an Australian citizen: If you are an Aussie citizen or permanent resident, or become one at some stage, you'll have access to public health care in Australia.
If you have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA): 11 countries have a RHCA that gives them acces to public health care in Australia. This is sometimes all you need for your visa, but not always. Students especially will probably still need OSHC.
If you have travel insurance: If you're in Australia as a tourist, then a comprehensive travel insurance policy from your home country may be enough to cover you.
Frequently asked questions
If you're visiting Australia on a temporary visa and you're not from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement then you'll likely need a form of overseas visitors health cover (OVHC). If you're a student, you may need overseas student health cover (OSHC). The best option for you will depend on what kind of policy is mandatory for your visa (if any) and what level of coverage you want.
It can but it depends on which policy you choose. The more comprehensive policies tend to cover GP visits while it'll typically be excluded from cheaper policies.
This depends on what visa you're coming to Australia with and whether or not the country you're a citizen of has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia. Read more about who needs OVHC.
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My wife and I currently have an astonishingly expensive OVHC policy to support our Subclass 870 visas. However, we are from United Kingdom, which has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia, and also have Reciprocal Arrangement Medicare cards.
Do we still need this expensive OVHC medical insurance?
Finder
SarahMarch 18, 2025Finder
Hi Bernie,
If you’re in Australia on the 870 Sponsored Parent visa, you’ll need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) while you stay to satisfy the 8501 visa condition, while also ensuring you’re able to pay any medical costs while in Australia.
If you’re an international student travelling to Australia on a student visa, you’ll need to take out Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
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My wife and I currently have an astonishingly expensive OVHC policy to support our Subclass 870 visas. However, we are from United Kingdom, which has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia, and also have Reciprocal Arrangement Medicare cards.
Do we still need this expensive OVHC medical insurance?
Hi Bernie,
If you’re in Australia on the 870 Sponsored Parent visa, you’ll need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) while you stay to satisfy the 8501 visa condition, while also ensuring you’re able to pay any medical costs while in Australia.