Compare

Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)

OVHC is health insurance designed for overseas workers in Australia. OVHC covers you when you get sick or have an accident^ and need to access medical treatment. Check out our 100% visa-compliant OVHC!

Starting from

$59.97per month

Get a quote*

Please refer to the relevant Product Sheet below the table or Policy Member Guide for more information and details.

Plan & Pricing

Overseas Worker Base Hospital

$5997 per month This product is a basic level visa-compliant cover providing you in-hospital services and treatments, and emergency ambulance. Does not cover out-patient services

Get more info

Overseas Worker Mid Hospital and Medical

$9598 per month This product is an intermediate visa-compliant cover providing you with in-hospital services and treatments with some services paying minimum benefits. Plus, emergency ambulance, out-patient services, and out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits

Get more info

Overseas Worker Top Hospital and Medical

$18499 per month This product is a comprehensive visa-compliant cover providing you with more coverage for in-hospital services and treatments, emergency ambulance, out-patient services, and a higher level of out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits.

Get more info
Meets your visa requirements
Instant confirmation of your cover
Accident and emergency ambulance services
Online doctor services
Face-to-face doctor services (out-of-hospital)
Prescription medicines (out-of-hospital)
Specialist doctor consults (out-of-hospital)
Pathology and radiology (out-of-hospital)
Hospital Substitute program
Public Hospital emergency department facility fee for attendance that leads to an admission into hospital
Public Hospital emergency department facility fee for non-emergency treatment that does not lead to an admission into hospital.
Excess (a fee payable by you if you're admitted to hospital)
$500
$500
$0 or $500
Hospital accommodation
Hospital treatment - doctors, specialists, pathology & radiology
Prescription medicines (in hospital)
Pregnancy and birth related services
Restricted
Restricted
Rehabilitation
Restricted
Restricted
Hospital psychiatric services
Restricted
Restricted
Palliative care
Restricted
Restricted
Weight loss surgery
Restricted
Restricted
Assisted reproductive services
Elective cosmetic surgery or laser eye treatment
Medicines not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Schedule and experimental or high-cost drugs

Overseas Worker Base Hospital

$5997 per month This product is a basic level visa-compliant cover providing you in-hospital services and treatments, and emergency ambulance. Does not cover out-patient services

Get more info
Meets visa requirements as set by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA)
In most cases, you'll receive your Visa Certificate instantly when you join CBHS International
100% of the charge for medically necessary transport to a hospital or treatment at the scene due to an accident or medical emergency
Agreement provider: Up to 100% of the agreed rate, except for services when an exclusion applies. Non-agreement provider: Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee, where an MBS item number is provided, except where an exclusion applies.
Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee, except for services where an exclusion applies. If you visit a GP we have an agreement with, it may help reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket costs you need to pay.
Medicine prescribed to you by a doctor. PBS co-payment up to $75 per script. Annual limit applies per person per calendar year based on level of cover.
A doctor specialising in a particular field, eg. a surgeon or a cardiologist. Check benefit limits with CBHS International before making an appointment.
Services including blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds. Covered up to 100% of the MBS.
The program provides you In Home Hospital Care, Rehabilitation and Wound Management services to reduce the time spent in hospital and recover from the comfort of your own home.
Maximum benefit is $160 where you're admitted into a private hospital.
If you go to a hospital emergency department (instead of a GP), you may be charged a facility fee by the hospital.
An excess is the amount you pay towards the cost of your hospital admission before any benefit is payable.
For overnight hospital stays in private and public hospitals. 100% cover for agreement private hospitals. We pay the State gazetted rate for public hospital stays. Some public charge more than this which means you will have to pay the difference.
100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
Medication provided as part of your in hospital treatment

Overseas Worker Mid Hospital and Medical

$9598 per month This product is an intermediate visa-compliant cover providing you with in-hospital services and treatments with some services paying minimum benefits. Plus, emergency ambulance, out-patient services, and out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits

Get more info
In most cases, you'll receive your Visa Certificate instantly when you join CBHS International
100% of the charge for medically necessary transport to a hospital or treatment at the scene due to an accident or medical emergency
Agreement provider: Up to 100% of the agreed rate, except for services when an exclusion applies. Non-agreement provider: Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee, where an MBS item number is provided, except where an exclusion applies.
Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee, except for services where an exclusion applies. If you visit a GP we have an agreement with, it may help reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket costs you need to pay.
Medicine prescribed to you by a doctors. PBS Co-payment and then up to $75 per script. Annual limit $300 per person per calendar year.
A doctor specialising in a particular field, eg. a surgeon or a cardiologist. Check benefit limits with CBHS International before making an appointment.
Services including blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds. Covered up to 100% of the MBS.
The program provides you In Home Hospital Care, Rehabilitation and Wound Management services to reduce the time spent in hospital and recover from the comfort of your own home.
You are covered in full, except where an exclusion applies.
The Maximum Benefit is $160. This can result in large out-of-pocket costs.
An excess is the amount you pay towards the cost of your hospital admission before any benefit is payable.
For overnight hospital stays in private and public hospitals. 100% cover for agreement private hospitals. We pay the State gazetted rate for public hospital stays. Some public charge more than this which means you will have to pay the difference.
100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
Medication provided as part of your in hospital treatment

Overseas Worker Top Hospital and Medical

$18499 per month This product is a comprehensive visa-compliant cover providing you with more coverage for in-hospital services and treatments, emergency ambulance, out-patient services, and a higher level of out-of-hospital pharmacy benefits.

Get more info
Meets visa requirements as set by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA)
In most cases, you'll receive your Visa Certificate instantly when you join CBHS International
100% of the charge for medically necessary transport to a hospital or treatment at the scene due to an accident or medical emergency
Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee, except for services where an exclusion applies. If you visit a GP we have an agreement with, it may help reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket costs you need to pay.
Medicine prescribed to you by a doctor. PBS Co-payment and then up to $75 per script. Annual limit $600 per person per calendar year.
A doctor specialising in a particular field, eg. a surgeon or a cardiologist. Check benefit limits with CBHS International before making an appointment.
Services including blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds. Covered up to 100% of the MBS.
The program provides you In Home Hospital Care, Rehabilitation and Wound Management services to reduce the time spent in hospital and recover from the comfort of your own home.
You are covered in full, except where an exclusion applies.
The Maximum Benefit is $160. This can result in large out-of-pocket costs.
An excess is the amount you pay towards the cost of your hospital admission before any benefit is payable.
For overnight hospital stays in private and public hospitals. 100% cover for agreement private hospitals. We pay the State gazetted rate for public hospital stays. Some public charge more than this which means you will have to pay the difference.
100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
Medication provided as part of your in hospital treatment

Who is OVHC for?

Your working or working holiday visa in Australia may come with a requirement to hold OVHC.
Our cover is compliant for the following visas:

Temporary work visa

  • 457 (temporary work – skilled)
  • 403 (temporary work – international relations)
  • 408 (temporary activity)

Training visa

  • 407 (training visa)
  • 482 (skills in demand)

Working holiday visa

  • 417 (working holiday)
  • 462 (work and holiday)
Bridging visa
  • 010 (bridging Visa A)
  • 020 (bridging Visa B)
  • 030 (bridging Visa C)

Graduate visa

  • 485 (temporary graduate)
  • 590 (student guardian)

Overseas working visa requirement

Since most overseas visitors or workers aren’t eligible for Medicare (the Australian publicly funded healthcare system for residents and citizens), maintaining adequate health insurance is a requirement for a range of working visas. Overseas workers with visa condition 8501 must purchase and provide proof of adequate OVHC when applying for their visa as per the rules set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Maintaining adequate OVHC is a mandatory condition

The Australian Government through the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) requires all holders of an overseas working visa to maintain adequate OVHC for the entire time they are in Australia until their visa expires.

Note: If you hold a policy for a single person and the person who received the treatment is the secondary visa holder (rather than the primary visa holder) you won’t be eligible to claim. Instead, you’ll need to update cover to a policy that covers Couples, Sole Parents or Family (whichever is appropriate for you). If you have an ineligible visa subclass for your chosen product at time of claiming, you won’t be eligible to claim.

Medical treatment can be expensive

Most overseas workers who come to Australia to work cannot access Medicare, which may lead to large out-of-pocket costs if they require medical treatment. Depending on the type of cover you choose, your OVHC can help pay towards your medical costs if you get sick or have an accident. In most cases, hospital treatment can be very expensive with substantial out-of-pocket costs.

Once you purchase Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC), in most cases, you’ll immediately receive a Certificate of Insurance for your visa. You will need to provide proof of purchase of your OVHC when applying for your Workers visa, extension or renewal application.

If you would like to discuss options, contact our team who will be happy to assist you. Call (+61) 2 8604 3537 (from overseas) or 1300 174 537 (within Australia) or email ovhc@cbhscorp.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

View all FAQs
What is Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)?
When will I receive my visa compliance letter?
Once you’ve bought your cover, an email with your compliance letter will be immediately sent to you. Please make sure you provide a valid email address to avoid delays. If you have not received your letter, contact CBHS International Health at ovhc@cbhscorp.com.au.
Why do I need OVHC?

Since most overseas visitors or workers aren’t eligible for Medicare (the Australian publicly funded healthcare system for residents and citizens), maintaining adequate health insurance is a requirement for a range of working visas.

Overseas workers with visa condition 8501 must purchase and provide proof of adequate OVHC when applying for their visa as per the rules set by the Department of Home Affairs. The Australian Government through the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) requires all holders of an overseas working visa with visa condition 8501 to maintain adequate OVHC for the entire time they are in Australia until their visa expires.

Overseas workers who cannot access Medicare may have large out-of-pocket costs if they need medical treatment. Depending on the type of cover you choose, your OVHC can help pay towards your medical costs if you get sick or have an accident. In most cases, hospital treatment can be very expensive with substantial out-of-pocket costs.

When does my OVHC start?

Your policy starts when you arrive in Australia or the day that your visa is granted – whichever is later – and ends when your visa expires, provided you maintain your premium payments. You must always contact us immediately if your details, visa, or eligibility to hold this cover changes. It’s important that you contact us when you arrive in Australia or when your visa starts so that we can activate your OVHC policy. Please note that you’re not covered for treatment outside of Australia.

You must activate your policy as soon as you arrive. Visit our website to activate your policy or call CBHS International Health on 1300 174 537. You’ll need your membership number to activate your policy which can be found on your Certificate of Insurance. Remember, your policy must be active in order to claim medical expenses.

Which worker visa subclasses are eligible for OVHC?

Your working holiday or holiday visa in Australia may come with a requirement to hold OVHC.

Our cover is compliant for the following visas:

  • 482 (skills in demand)
  • 485 (temporary graduate)
  • 457 (temporary work – skilled)
  • 403 (temporary work – international relations)
  • 417 (working holiday)
  • 462 (work and holiday)
  • 408 (temporary activity)
  • 407 (training visa)
  • 590 (student guardian)
  • 010 (bridging Visa A)
  • 020 (bridging Visa B)
  • 030 (bridging Visa C).
What you need to know before applying for single cover

Who is the primary visa holder?

The primary visa holder is the person who applied for and has been granted an eligible worker visa. The primary visa holder will be the member insured and the Policy Holder.

Who is the secondary visa holder?

A secondary visa holder is the spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child of the primary visa holder. A secondary visa holder is not eligible for single cover. 

Who is eligible for single cover?

Only primary visa holders without a spouse, de facto or dependent child are eligible for single cover. When do I need couple, family, or sole parent cover?

If you are the primary visa holder and you have secondary visa holders coming to Australia with you, then you will need a couple, family, or sole parent cover. Read the OVHC policy guide to find out more.

If you're not eligible to hold single cover or have an ineligible visa subclass for the product you’ve chosen, no benefits or claims will be paid. If you need more information, please contact us 1300 174 537 or email us at ovhc@cbhscorp.com.au. We’ll be happy to help.

Why do I need to have an eligible visa subclass for my chosen product?

Our OVHC products are specifically designed to provide adequate health insurance for international workers (including those on a working holiday) working in Australia. Adequate health insurance is known as visa condition 8501.

Our OVHC products are also designed for some overseas workers with temporary working visas, who must hold and maintain adequate health insurance. If you’re applying for a visa which doesn’t require adequate health insurance, our OVHC products not suit your health cover needs.

It's important to note that only certain visa subclasses are required to hold adequate health insurance.

To check these visas, visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/supporting/files/visas-subject-condition-8501.pdf