If you’re a sponsored worker applying for a 482 Skills in Demand (formerly Temporary Skills Shortage) visa, maintaining adequate health insurance is essential throughout your stay in Australia. This helps cover medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t, ensuring you’re protected while living and working here. However, it’s important to choose the right insurance to meet your visa requirements and also get the cover you need.
482 visa holder health insurance requirements
If you hold a 482 visa, you will be subject to condition 8501. This requires you to have adequate health insurance for the full length of your stay in Australia.
For most 482 visa holders, this means taking out Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). OVHC is designed for temporary residents who are not eligible for Medicare – Australia’s public health system – and helps ensure you can access medical care without facing high out-of-pocket costs.
To meet the requirements of condition 8501, your OVHC policy should, at a minimum, provide cover for:
- Hospital treatment
- Emergency ambulance services
- Specialist consultations
- Prescribed medicines
- Medical tests and diagnostics
Many OVHC policies also offer optional extras, such as physiotherapy, optical, dental treatment and psychology services. Whether these are worth including will depend on your personal circumstances, the nature of your work and whether any family members are included on your policy.
Reviewing what each plan covers can help you choose a level of cover that suits your needs rather than paying for features you’re unlikely to use.
Medicare access on a 482 visa
Some 482 visa holders may be eligible for limited Medicare access through a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, depending on their country of residence. While this can provide access to medically necessary treatment in the public system, it does not offer the same level of cover as full Medicare.
Because of this, you may still need OVHC to meet your visa obligations and cover services not included under reciprocal arrangements.
How much is health insurance on a 482 visa?
The cost of health insurance on a 482 visa can vary depending on several factors:
- Level of cover: basic hospital cover is usually the cheapest option and is designed to meet minimum visa requirements. Medium and top-tier cover cost more but provide access to a wider range of treatments and services.
- Excess amount: policies typically offer excess options of $0, $250 or $500. Choosing a higher excess can reduce your monthly premium, but you’ll pay more out of pocket if you need hospital treatment.
- Extras included: adding extras such as dental, optical or physiotherapy will increase the cost of your policy. Whether extras are worthwhile depends on how likely you are to use these services during your stay.
- Insurance provider: each insurer sets their own pricing and policy structure, so premiums can vary even for similar levels of cover.
- Age: on some policies, premiums increase for older applicants, particularly from age 65 and over.
- Who is covered: a single policy will generally cost less than cover for a couple or family, so costs may be higher if you’re bringing a partner or dependants to Australia with you.
Here’s a general idea of the costs you might expect for health insurance on a 482 visa:
| Policy type | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Single | $65 – $488 |
| Couple | $129 – $1,032 |
| Family | $188 – $1,321 |
| Source: Compare Club, January 2026 Figures based on 35-year-old adult applicant(s). Price ranges shown include policies with excesses ranging from $0 to $500. Some policies in these ranges include extras cover, which can increase the premium. |
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How do I get health insurance to apply for a 482 visa?
Before you apply for your 482 visa, you’ll need to provide proof that you have adequate health insurance in Australia. The simplest way to do this is by purchasing an OVHC policy that meets your visa requirements.
There’s a range of providers and plans available, but if you’re struggling to navigate your options, Savvy can help. We offer a variety of OVHC plans tailored to your visa and needs, all in one place.
Getting started is easy:
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Apply through Savvy
Tell us who needs cover, your visa type and the level of cover you’re looking for.
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Connect with an advisor
A health insurance expert will contact you to discuss your options as a 482 visa holder.
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Take out your policy
Choose your OVHC plan and you’ll be covered for your time in Australia!
