Working visas
Cover for visas: 482, 485, 417, 188, 403, 407, 408 and more.
A working visa lets overseas visitors live and work in Australia for a set period. Most working visas include a condition (such as 8501) requiring holders to maintain adequate health insurance during their stay.
- Cover for working visa condition8501
- Cover for bridging visas, family and partner visas
- We cover singles, couples and families
Find your Overseas Visitors Health cover match
cover for
What matters most is
What if I get sick in Australia?
What is an emergency?
An emergency is a serious illness or injury that poses an immediate risk to your life or long-term wellbeing.
In an emergency, call 000 (triple zero). They will send an ambulance who can provide immediate treatment and/or take you to hospital (if required).
Members who have Overseas Working Visa Hospital or Overseas Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover have peace of mind with unlimited emergency ambulance transport to any Australian hospital emergency department included in their cover.
What is an non-emergency?
A non-emergency is an illness or injury that requires treatment but isn’t immediately life-threatening.
Members who have Overseas Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover are covered for outpatient services, so for non-emergency health concerns, make an appointment with your nearest doctor (general practitioner) and they will determine what treatment or diagnostic tests you may need. Diagnostic tests may also be covered with Overseas Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover.
Different kinds of care
Benefits of an HBF membership
HBF Member Perks
HBF members get access to a range of offers as part of our Member Perks program. You’ll find discounts on gym memberships, shopping, entertainment and more.*
Health programs
Eligible HBF members can get help staying healthy, managing a health condition or accessing mental health programs. With extras our members can access Telehealth services and more.
Mental health
Discover how HBF health insurance can help with the costs of mental health treatment and explore a range of resources designed to support your wellbeing.
FAQs for Working Visas health cover
What is visa condition 8501?
Depending on the type of visa you hold, you may be required to take out an appropriate level of Australian private health insurance. This is typically indicated as ‘Condition 8501: Health Cover’ on your visa. If this condition is attached to your visa, you’ll need to have and maintain private health cover for the duration of your stay in Australia.
We offer two Overseas Visitors Health cover options for people visiting Australia for work - Working Visa Hospital and Working Visa Hospital and Medical - which are both compliant with condition 8501 for visa subclasses 482, 485, 403, 407, 408, 489 and more.
What if I get sick in Australia?
Emergency Care
In an emergency, call 000 for an ambulance or go to the nearest hospital. Emergency treatment will be provided regardless of insurance status, but you’ll be billed if you’re not covered.
General Practitioner (GP)
Contact a local GP (doctor) for non-emergency issues. If you have Overseas Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover, benefits may be payable towards appointments with a local GP.
Which visas are covered by HBF overseas working visa cover?
HBF’s Overseas Working Visa Hospital, and Overseas Working Visa Hospital and Medical products both satisfy the health insurance requirement under Condition 8501 for a variety of visas.
How do I use my cover?
You can start using your cover as soon as you’ve finished serving the waiting period applicable to the treatment or service you intend to receive. Before you make an appointment, we recommend you do the following:
- Research HBF Member Plus providers. We have agreements in place with providers across Australia, so choosing an HBF Member Plus provider can help you reduce any out-of-pocket costs that may apply.
- Get a benefit quote. This will tell you exactly how much HBF will cover, and any out-of-pocket costs you’ll have to pay. Call us on 133 423, or for extras services such as dental and physiotherapy, get an instant extras benefit quote in myHBF.
What happens if I travel outside Australia during my visa period?
What do I do if I become a permanent resident or citizen of Australia?
Will I be covered if I need to work in rural Australia to extend my visa?
Yes, HBF cover applies Australia‑wide, including rural and regional areas. Doing specified or regional work (e.g. farm, hospitality, healthcare, construction) does not void your cover.
When will I receive my certificate for my Overseas Health Cover?
You’ll receive your policy certificate once your policy has been set up and payment has been processed. In most cases, this is sent by email shortly after you complete your purchase.
You can also access your certificate anytime by logging in to your online account. If you don’t receive it or need it urgently (for visa or compliance purposes), contact HBF and they can resend it for you.
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