Understanding the Basic Requirements for 485 Visa Health Insurance Conditions
As an international student in Australia on a 485 visa, securing and maintaining health insurance is one of the primary requirements to ensure you have access to quality medical care in case of an emergency. This article aims to educate international students about the basic requirements for 485 visa health insurance conditions.
Introduction:
The 485 visa, also known as the Temporary Graduate visa, allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to work, study or live in Australia for up to four years. However, to qualify for this visa, you need to fulfill specific requirements, and one of the major requirements is health insurance. This article explains the basic requirements for 485 visa health insurance conditions.
Eligibility for Health Insurance:
All international students in Australia are required to have health insurance under the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. OSHC is designed to provide medical and hospital cover to overseas students and their dependents. It covers essential medical services and hospital treatments and is mandatory for all international students in Australia, including those on a 485 visa.
Cover Requirements:
To fulfill the health insurance condition of 485 visas, the OSHC policy should cover you for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. The minimum coverage prescribed is for the duration of your visa period, but it’s recommended to take comprehensive policy options that cover additional medical costs such as ambulance transport, dental treatment, and optical care.
Insurer Selection:
While obtaining health insurance under the OSHC scheme is mandatory, students have the option to choose the insurance provider. OSHC offered by various insurance providers can vary, so it’s essential to do a bit of research and compare the plans offered by different insurers before selecting the one that’s right for you.
Renewal Requirements:
The OSHC policy can be renewed as many times as required during your stay in Australia, provided you have not been absent from Australia for a continuous period of more than 28 days. Non-renewal of OSHC may cause your visa to be canceled, so it’s essential to ensure that the policy is renewed before it expires.
Conclusion:
Securing health insurance under the OSHC scheme is mandatory for all international students in Australia, and failure to comply with this requirement may lead to visa cancellation. The OSHC policy should cover you for the entire duration of your stay in Australia and should be renewed before it expires. As an international student, remember to do your research before selecting an insurance provider to ensure that you have adequate coverage for all medical emergencies.
