HCF offers Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) options for eligible international visitors travelling to Australia, including holders of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
Whether you are visiting family, enjoying a holiday or staying in Australia for an extended period, having suitable health insurance can help protect you against unexpected hospital and medical expenses.
Explore HCF visitor health insurance benefits, premiums, waiting periods and exclusions to find cover that suits your needs. If your visa includes condition 8501, ensure you select a policy that meets this requirement.
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HCF offers a range of Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) options to help eligible visitors manage unexpected healthcare expenses during their stay in Australia.
Depending on the policy selected, benefits may include hospital treatment, doctor consultations, specialist services, diagnostic tests and emergency ambulance services. The level of cover, waiting periods and exclusions vary between HCF products.
1. Hospital Treatment
Benefits for eligible hospital accommodation, operating theatre fees, intensive care and medical treatment, depending on the selected HCF policy and participating hospital arrangements.
2. Doctor and Specialist Consultations
Selected HCF visitor insurance policies provide benefits for GP visits and specialist consultations. HCF Short Stay includes eligible outpatient medical services, while HCF Basic primarily provides hospital cover.
3. Emergency Ambulance Services
HCF visitor insurance policies include emergency ambulance benefits, subject to the conditions and exclusions of the selected policy.
4. Diagnostic Tests – Blood Tests and X-rays
Selected HCF policies provide benefits for eligible pathology, radiology and diagnostic services with Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers. Out-of-pocket costs may apply.
5. Emergency Department Treatment
Depending on the policy, HCF may provide benefits towards eligible emergency department charges. HCF Short Stay includes up to AUD 200 per eligible emergency department attendance.
6. Prescription Medicines
Selected HCF policies provide benefits for eligible Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines, particularly those supplied during hospital admission or upon discharge. Limits and co-payments apply.
HCF Short Stay Cover does not satisfy visa condition 8501 and excludes treatment for pre-existing conditions. Visitors subject to condition 8501 should select an appropriate visa-compliant policy.
HCF offers different Overseas Visitors Health Cover options for people travelling to Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). The available plans vary in hospital benefits, medical services, waiting periods, excess options and exclusions.
Visitors can choose from Short Stay, Essentials and Essentials Plus cover, depending on their individual healthcare needs and budget.
| Feature | Short Stay | Essentials | Essentials Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital treatment | Included* | Included* | Broader cover* |
| GP consultations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency ambulance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible diagnostic tests | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing conditions | Excluded | Waiting periods | Waiting periods |
| Excess options | $250, $500, $750 | $250, $500, $750 | $250, $500, $750 |
| Meets condition 8501 | No | No | No |
*Benefits depend on the selected policy, exclusions and applicable limits. Confirm current product details with HCF before publishing.
HCF Short Stay, Essentials and Essentials Plus visitor insurance plans do not meet Australian visa condition 8501.
Some Subclass 600 Visitor Visa holders may have condition 8501 attached to their visa, requiring them to maintain adequate health insurance throughout their stay in Australia.
If your Visitor Visa includes condition 8501, you should obtain an appropriate visa-compliant health insurance policy and confirm that it meets your visa requirements before purchasing.
Always check your visa grant letter and the relevant HCF product information before selecting cover.
The cost of HCF Visitor Visa Health Insurance depends on the type of cover selected, the applicant's age, the number of people insured, the policy excess and the duration of cover.
HCF offers different Overseas Visitors Health Cover options, allowing eligible visitors to choose a policy based on their healthcare needs and budget.
For HCF Short Stay Cover, available excess options include AUD 250, AUD 500 and AUD 750. Choosing a higher excess may reduce your premium, but you may need to pay more towards eligible hospital treatment.
To check the latest HCF Visitor Visa Health Insurance prices, obtain a personalised quote using the button below.
Before purchasing HCF Visitor Visa Health Insurance, it is important to understand the waiting periods, exclusions and limitations that apply to your selected policy.
HCF offers different Overseas Visitors Health Cover options, and the level of protection varies depending on the plan.
Waiting periods are the periods you must serve after your cover begins before you can claim certain benefits.
Depending on the HCF policy selected, waiting periods may apply to:
Pre-existing medical conditions.
Pregnancy and birth-related services.
Certain hospital treatments and procedures.
Other services specified in the relevant HCF policy documents.
HCF Short Stay Cover excludes pre-existing medical conditions rather than providing benefits after a waiting period.
Depending on the policy selected, HCF visitor insurance may exclude or restrict benefits for:
Treatment of pre-existing conditions.
Pregnancy and childbirth.
Dental, optical and other extras services.
Cosmetic or non-medically necessary procedures.
Medical treatment received outside Australia.
Medical examinations required for visa applications.
Services not included in the selected hospital or medical cover.
Even where a medical service is covered, visitors may need to pay additional expenses.
For example, a doctor or specialist may charge more than the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee, resulting in a gap payment.
Hospital excesses, benefit limits and non-participating hospital charges may also result in out-of-pocket costs.
Always review the latest HCF product information, waiting periods and exclusions before purchasing your policy.
Yes. HCF offers Overseas Visitors Health Cover options that may be suitable for eligible Subclass 600 Visitor Visa holders. However, visitors must select a policy appropriate to their individual circumstances and visa conditions.
Not all HCF visitor insurance policies meet condition 8501. HCF Short Stay, Essentials and Essentials Plus are not designed to satisfy this condition. Visitors subject to condition 8501 should consider an appropriate visa-compliant HCF policy and confirm its suitability before purchasing.
Selected HCF Overseas Visitors Health Cover policies provide benefits for eligible GP consultations. The amount payable depends on the selected product and applicable benefit limits. Out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Selected HCF policies provide benefits for eligible diagnostic tests, pathology, radiology and specialist consultations. Coverage depends on the selected plan, whether the service has an eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number and applicable exclusions.
HCF Short Stay Cover excludes pre-existing medical conditions. Other HCF overseas visitor policies may provide benefits for eligible pre-existing conditions after applicable waiting periods. Visitors should review the relevant policy terms before purchasing.
Pregnancy and childbirth benefits depend on the selected HCF policy. HCF Short Stay excludes pregnancy and birth-related services. Some other HCF products may provide restricted benefits subject to waiting periods and policy conditions.
Eligible overseas visitors may be able to arrange HCF health insurance before arriving in Australia. Applicants should check the policy commencement date, eligibility requirements and applicable waiting periods.
HCF visitor health insurance premiums depend on factors such as the selected plan, age, number of insured people and hospital excess. Visitors can obtain a personalised quotation to check current prices.
HCF policies may be cancelled subject to the applicable fund rules and policy terms. Any refund depends on the circumstances of cancellation and HCF's requirements.
You can explore available HCF Overseas Visitors Health Cover options and obtain a quotation online. Before purchasing, confirm that your selected policy meets your healthcare needs and any health insurance conditions attached to your visa.
Before purchasing HCF Visitor Visa Health Insurance, it is worth comparing other Australian health insurance providers to find suitable cover for your stay.
At 600 Visa Insurance, you can explore visitor health insurance options from leading Australian insurers, including Allianz Care, Bupa, nib and Medibank.
Compare premiums, hospital benefits, medical services, waiting periods, exclusions and condition 8501 compliance before choosing a policy.
Looking for HCF health insurance for your Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)? Explore available HCF Overseas Visitors Health Cover options, compare benefits and check current premiums.
Choose a policy that suits your healthcare needs and any health insurance conditions attached to your visa.