Bupa makes it easier for you to understand more about the Australian healthcare system and why having private health insurance may be essential for your stay.
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Overseas Visitors Cover
Overseas Visitors Cover
Are you…Get your health insurance visa letter instantly
Once you have applied for Bupa overseas visitors cover, you will receive your health insurance visa letter to support your visa application, by email. Please ensure you provide a valid email address on your application for cover.
Working in Australia
Understanding the Australian healthcare system
Why have overseas visitors cover?
If you are making plans to work in Australia, getting an appropriate level of health insurance may be a requirement for your visa. Aside from that, it's always a good idea to prepare for the unexpected.
When you're covered by Bupa's working overseas visitors cover, you can enjoy your time in Australia with greater peace of mind.
100% Australian Government Visa compliant
Global. 22 million members across 190 countries
Experienced. Drawing on over 65 years in health
Affordable. Cover from $ per week^
^Price includes GST and is based on our Essential Visitors Cover for a single person.
Find out more
The Australian healthcare systemUnderstand how it works and what it means for you Do you have access to Medicare?Find out if your country of origin has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia Reciprocal Health CoverPurchase Reciprocal Health Cover in addition to Overseas Visitors Cover to help exempt you from paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).Choose your cover
All of our covers include the following:
100% Australian Government Visa compliant
Access to private and public hospitals
Access to private doctors and specialists
100% emergency ambulance cover
- Comparison table
- Plans + groups
Scroll the table left or right to compare plans.
| Plan name | Essential Visitors Cover | Essential Plus Visitors Cover | Gold Visitors Cover |
Platinum Visitors Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package type |
|
|
|
|
| Price |
$ # per week |
$ # per week |
$ # per week |
$ # per week |
| Select a plan | Select plan | Select plan | Select plan | Select plan |
| Hospital & medical | ||||
| Level of cover | Medium | Medium | High | High |
| Inpatient (in hospital) medical services | Medium + | Medium + | High + | High + |
| Outpatient medical services | Medium + | Medium + | High + | High + |
| Outpatient pharmacy benefits | 60% + | 60% + | 90% + | 90% + |
| Extras | You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost | 50% of fees covered^ | You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost | 90% of fees covered^ |
| Dental |
|
$300 Yearly limit
|
|
$1,200* Yearly limit
|
| Optical |
|
$150 Yearly limit
|
|
$300 Yearly limit
|
| Physio |
|
$200 Combined yearly limit
|
|
$550* Yearly limit
|
| Chiropractic |
|
$200 Combined yearly limit
|
|
$550* Yearly limit
|
| Natural therapies |
|
$200 Combined yearly limit
|
|
$700* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Antenatal and postnatal services |
|
|
|
$400* Yearly limit
|
| Speech therapy |
|
|
|
$500* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Occupational therapy |
|
|
|
$500* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Select plan | Select plan | Select plan | Select plan |
*Hospital only covers
Essential Visitors Cover
from $ * per week
Basic hospital services
+
MBS cover 100%
+
Pharmacy benefits ($300 yearly limit)+ 60%
You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost
Gold Visitors Cover
from $ * per week
Comprehensive hospital services
+
MBS cover 100%
+
AMA cover 100%
+
Pharmacy benefits ($600 yearly limit)+ 90%
You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost
Hospital and Extras covers
Essential Plus Visitors Cover
from $ * per week
Basic hospital services
+
MBS cover 100%
+
Pharmacy benefits ($300 yearly limit)+ 60%
50% of the fee for your treatment covered on
- Dental
- Optical
- Physio & chiro
- Natural therapies
Platinum Visitors Cover
from $ * per week
Comprehensive hospital services
+
MBS cover 150%
+
AMA cover 100%
+
Pharmacy benefits ($600 yearly limit)+ 90%
90% of the fee for your treatment covered on
- Dental
- Optical
- Physio & chiro
- Natural therapies
- Plus more
Essential Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment you have. You are covered for the cost of inpatient medical services up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a procedure is set at $1,500 and your doctor charges $1,700, if you have Essential Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $1,500 (100% of the MBS fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Essential Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Essential Visitors Cover Bupa will pay 100% of the MBS fee ($40) and you will be required to pay the remaining $20.
Essential Visitors Cover
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 60% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $300 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Essential Plus Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment given to you. You are covered for the cost of inpatient medical services up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a procedure is set at $1,500 and your doctor charges $1,700, if you have Essential Plus Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $1,500 (100% of the MBS fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Essential Plus Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Essential Plus Visitors Cover Bupa will pay 100% of the MBS fee ($40) and you will be required to pay the remaining $20.
Essential Plus Visitors Cover
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 60% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $300 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Gold Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment you have. You are covered for the cost of inpatient medical services up to 100% of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Schedule fee. This is the amount set by the AMA as an appropriate fee for a specific medical service. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the AMA fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the AMA fee for a procedure is set at $2,000 and your doctor charges $2,200, if you have Gold Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $2,000 (100% of the AMA fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Gold Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or fees charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 150% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Gold Visitors Cover Bupa will pay the full amount (up to 150% of the MBS fee) and you will not have any 'out-of-pocket' costs.
Gold Visitors Cover
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 90% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $600 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Platinum Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment you have. You are covered for the cost of inpatient medical services up to 100% of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Schedule fee. This is the amount set by the AMA as an appropriate fee for a specific medical service. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the AMA fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the AMA fee for a procedure is set at $2,000 and your doctor charges $2,200, if you have Platinum Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $2,000 (100% of the AMA fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Platinum Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or fees charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 150% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Platinum Visitors Cover Bupa will pay the full amount (up to 150% of the MBS fee) and you will not have any 'out-of-pocket' costs.
Platinum Visitors Cover
Get a quote Transferring from another provider?
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 90% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $600 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Transferring from another provider?
If you'd like to transfer your existing overseas cover to Bupa, simply choose your cover and complete the online application form.
To receive continuity of cover, you need to transfer to us within 60 days of leaving your previous registered general or health insurer. If you give us permission we can contact the insurer on your behalf in order to obtain the details we require including what waiting periods may apply and how you will be covered. If you require more information please call us.
Don't forget you may have a waiting period of up to 12 months. There are other services that are not fully covered or not covered at all by Bupa under any of our covers. Yearly limits are based on year one maximums once the waiting period has been served. Fund rules, yearly limits and waiting periods apply. ^At all recognised providers. *This amount increases year on year up to a maximum of six years. #All prices include GST and are based on a single person. Sub-limits apply to Essential Plus.
457 and 485 visa information
The Temporary Work (skilled) 457 visa
You are required to have health insurance for yourself and any family members that are travelling with you on the 457 visa.
To be granted a 457 visa, you must make adequate arrangements for health insurance for yourself and your family members travelling with you. All of our working overseas visitor covers fulfil this requirement; so once you have applied for cover with us, we will email you a health insurance visa letter to support your 457 visa application.
If you are enrolled with Medicare under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RCHA) and have a Reciprocal Medicare card, you will be considered as having met this requirement. However, even if you are eligible for Reciprocal Medicare benefits you can only apply for Reciprocal Medicare once you arrive in Australia. So, if you apply for your 457 visa outside of Australia you will still have to arrange health insurance and provide proof that you have fulfilled this requirement to support your visa application.
Reciprocal Medicare means you'll only be covered for treatment that is deemed medically necessary and does not cover you for important things such as ambulance services. Overseas visitors cover can help ensure you are covered if the unexpected does happen, offering you greater peace of mind.
The Temporary Graduate 485 visa
All our working overseas visitor covers meet the 485 Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) health insurance requirement.
As part of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) you are responsible for all of your health costs while you are in Australia. You will need to switch your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to an Overseas Visitors Cover (OVC) before your OSHC expires.
You will not be covered by Medicare unless your country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. If you are not from a RHCA country it is important that you have adequate health insurance.
Are you eligible for a rebate?
The Australian Government has agreements called Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with certain countries to enable residents of these countries to receive Medicare benefits when visiting or working in Australia for medically necessary treatment.
If you are a citizen of a country with a RHCA with Australia, and you take out private health insurance, you may be eligible for a government rebate. However, you may also need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) as part of your tax.
Do you have access to Medicare?Find out if your country of origin has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia See if the tax rebate effects youFind out about the Australian Government rebate and the Medicare Levy Surcharge and if it applies to you
Member benefits
More for members
More for members
An exclusive range of health discounts, tools and information including:
• gym discounts
• discounted movie vouchers
• discounted theme park entry.
24 hour overseas health
advice line
advice line
24 hour overseas health advice line
If the unexpected happens while you are in Australia or when you are travelling overseas as a Bupa member, we're always here to provide phone-based support and advice. Our 24-hour health advice phone line is exclusive to Bupa members and provides you with:
- Basic advice, provided by doctors and nurses, on simple medical problems,
- the name, location and contact details for the nearest medical facilities,
- help in passing telephone messages onto your family,
- assistance with reviewing medical bills,
- medical translation services and help with booking medical appointments.
Once you join Bupa, you'll find the number for the health advice line on the back of your membership card.
Bupa Health and Wellness
Bupa Health and Wellness
Our Health and Wellness section bring together a useful range of health tips, tools and apps to help you look after your health and wellbeing for healthier you. You can:
- Find reliable health information,
- track and manage health goals,
- get a snapshot of your health status and explore your 'real' health age.
Flexibility to suit you
Flexibility to suit you
If you're leaving Australia for a period of between one and three months, you can suspend your cover until you return. This means you won't have to pay for cover while you're not in the country. Conditions do apply, so please contact us on 134 135 to find out more.
Visiting Australia
Understanding the Australian healthcare system
Bupa makes it easier for you to understand more about the Australian
healthcare system and why having private health insurance may be
essential for your stay.
Why have overseas visitors cover?
If you're visiting Australia on a non-working visa or as a tourist, we hope that you have more enjoyable things to think about than how you're going to pay for the cost of healthcare if you get sick or have an accident.
When you're covered by Bupa's overseas visitors cover, you can enjoy your time in Australia with greater peace of mind.
Global. 22 million members across 190 countries
Protect yourself from the unexpected
Convenience and
peace of mind
100% emergency ambulance cover
Choose your cover
- Comparison table
- Plans + groups
Scroll the table left or right to compare plans.
| Plan name | Standard Visitors Cover | Guardian Plus Visitors Cover (100% Australian Visa compliant) |
|---|---|---|
| Package type |
|
|
| Price |
$ # per week |
$ # per week |
| Select a plan | Select plan | Select plan |
| Hospital & medical | ||
| Hospital services | Medium | High |
| Inpatient medical services | Medium + | Medium + |
| Outpatient medical services | Medium + | Medium + |
| Outpatient pharmacy benefits | 60% + | 80% + |
| Extras | You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost | 60% of fees covered^ |
| Dental |
|
$800* Yearly limit
|
| Optical |
|
$180 Yearly limit
|
| Physio |
|
$350* Yearly limit
|
| Chiropractic |
|
$350* Yearly limit
|
| Natural therapies |
|
$400* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Speech therapy |
|
$400* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Occupational therapy |
|
$400* Yearly limit - combined with other services
|
| Select plan | Select plan |
Standard Cover
from $ * per week
Basic hospital services
+
Inpatient medical services
+
Outpatient medical services
+
Pharmacy benefits ($300 yearly limit) 60%
You can also add extras to your cover for an additional cost
Guardian Plus Cover
from $ * per week
High hospital services
+
Inpatient medical services
+
Outpatient medical services
+
Pharmacy benefits ($500 yearly limit) 80%
60% of the fee for your treatment covered on
- Dental
- Optical
- Physio & chiro
- Natural therapies
Standard Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment you have. You are covered for the cost of inpatient medical services up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a procedure is set at $1,500 and your doctor charges $1,700, if you have Standard Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $1,500 (100% of the MBS fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Standard Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Standard Visitors Cover Bupa will pay 100% of the MBS fee ($40) and you will be required to pay the remaining $20.
Standard Visitors Cover
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 60% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $300 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Guardian Plus Visitors Cover
Inpatient (in hospital) medical services
These are the fees charged by a doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist or other specialist for any treatment given to you. You are covered for the cost of in-patient medical services up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a procedure is set at $1,500 and your doctor charges $1,700, if you have Guardian Plus Visitors Cover Bupa will pay $1,500 (100% of the MBS fee) and you will be required to pay the remaining $200.
Guardian Plus Visitors Cover
Outpatient medical services
These are the fees for medical treatment as a hospital outpatient or charged by a doctor or specialist in private practice anywhere in Australia. You are covered for up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee which is the fee set by the Government for medical services in Australia to determine the benefit paid by Medicare and/or private health insurers. Some doctors and specialists may charge more than the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, this may leave you with a 'gap' between the amount that Bupa will pay for and what you will need to pay out of your own pocket.
For example, if the MBS fee for a consultation is set at $40 and your doctor charges $60, if you have Guardian Plus Visitors Cover Bupa will pay 100% of the MBS fee ($40) and you will be required to pay the remaining $20.
Guardian Plus Visitors Cover
Get a quote
Outpatient pharmacy benefits
You get 80% back on selected pharmacy items up to a $500 yearly limit. You will need to pay the first $20 of your prescription each time.
Don't forget you may have a waiting period of up to 12 months. There are other services that are not fully covered or not covered at all by Bupa under any of our covers. Yearly limits are based on year one maximums once the waiting period has been served. Fund rules, yearly limits and waiting periods apply. ^At all recognised providers. *This amount increases year on year up to a maximum of six years. #All prices include GST and are based on a single person.
Short Stay Visitors Cover
If you are a single or couple under 50 and visiting Australia to work temporarily or study, and your visa doesn’t require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), you may want to consider Short Stay Visitors Cover. It helps ensure you’ll be covered for the cost of medical treatment if you get sick or have an accident, giving greater peace of mind for your temporary stay in Australia.
Short Stay Visitors Cover applies to a number of working holiday and non-working visas including: 417, 462, 470, 476, 400, 600**, 601**, and 651.
Short Stay Visitors Cover
from $ # per week ($250 excess applies)
Basic hospital services
Access to doctors and specialists
Private room at Members First hospitals
Unlimited emergency ambulance transportation and on-the-spot treatment
You can also add extras to your cover
for an additional cost
#Price includes GST and is based on a single person in NSW with a 0% rebate. **Documentation to confirm enrolment in an Australian university, English language centre or other educational institution will be required for this visa subclass.
Member benefits
More for members
More for members
An exclusive range of health discounts, tools and information including:
• gym discounts
• discounted movie vouchers
• discounted theme park entry.
24 hour overseas health
advice line
advice line
24 hour overseas health advice line
If the unexpected happens while you are in Australia or when you are travelling overseas as a Bupa member, we're always here to provide phone-based support and advice. Our 24-hour health advice phone line is exclusive to Bupa members and provides you with:
- basic advice, provided by doctors and nurses, on simple medical problems,
- the name, location and contact details for the nearest medical facilities,
- help in passing telephone messages onto your family,
- assistance with reviewing medical bills,
- medical translation services and help with booking medical appointments.
Once you join Bupa, you'll find the number for the health advice line on the back of your membership card.
Bupa Health and Wellness
Bupa Health and Wellness
Our Health and Wellness section bring together a useful range of health tips, tools and apps to help you look after your health and wellbeing for healthier you. You can:
- find reliable health information,
- track and manage health goals,
- get a snapshot of your health status and explore your 'real' health age.
Find a provider
Find a provider
You can easily search for a service or provider through our website by providing the name, type of provider or even just your location. We will then provide you with a list of doctors, specialists, hospitals and Members First extras providers.
Still got questions?
Visit our FAQs.
We answer some general questions on healthcare and insurance.
Looking for visitor cover? Get a quote now