Visa condition 8501: adequate health insurance

What does condition 8501 say?

Home Affairs' document on 8501 says the holder "must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while the holder is in Australia". It is Condition 8501 in Schedule 8 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Mandatory conditions apply by law at grant, and discretionary conditions are imposed at grant.

Which visas have condition 8501?

The Home Affairs list says these visas are subject to it:

• Bridging visas A (010), B (020), C (030) and E (050), in specific circumstances
• Visitor visa (600), only in certain streams or circumstances
• Subclasses 403, 407, 408, 417, 461, 462, 482, 485, 500, 590, 771 and 870
• Subclasses 405 and 410, which are closed to new applicants

The list is undated, so check VEVO or your grant letter to see whether it applies to you. See how to do a VEVO check.

What counts as adequate health insurance?

Home Affairs recommends cover at least equal to the base OSHC requirements. It lists:

• hospital treatment in public or private hospitals
• out-of-hospital GP visits (recommended for all visitors)
• surgery, blood tests and x-rays
• limited pharmaceutical cover
• ambulance services, including necessary transfers between hospitals
• waiting periods no longer than the OSHC maximums, for example 12 months for pre-existing conditions and obstetrics and 2 months for most other treatments
• a global annual benefit of at least AUD 1,000,000 per person per year
• no buy-out clause

It also recommends no excess. Common exclusions include elective cosmetic treatment and treatment outside Australia for OSHC products.

What are OSHC and OVHC?

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is the usual minimum cover for overseas students. OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) is the usual minimum private cover for overseas visitors. Some products state whether they meet condition 8501, so check the product details before you buy.

What happens if my insurance lapses?

Home Affairs warns that:

• you are financially responsible for any health care debts in Australia, and unpaid debts may be considered in future visa applications
• if you are not eligible for Medicare, you are treated as a private patient and pay costs that private insurance doesn't cover
• a buy-out means you no longer hold adequate cover, which breaches 8501 unless you buy another suitable policy
• insurers generally allow 60 days from the last financial date of membership to pay before ending cover, and treatment during arrears may not be paid

Do I need cover if I'm eligible for Medicare?

Home Affairs says Medicare eligibility generally covers citizens, permanent residents, certain New Zealand citizens, Resident Return visa holders, some permanent residency applicants, and temporary visa holders covered by a Ministerial Order. If condition 8501 is on your visa, check your own conditions in VEVO before you assume you are exempt.