Health Insurance - Temporary Residents in Australia

In general terms, individuals and families coming to Australia on temporary resident visas - such as the 457 - are required to arrange appropriate health insurance to cover them whilst in Australia. Appropriate in this situation means insurance that is acceptable to DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship).

You need to prove that you have arranged insurance by including within your visa application a Letter of Insurance confirming cover for yourself and any family member. This applies to any nationality, even those covered within reciprocal healthcare agreements between Australia and the country where they are currently resident. However, after arriving in Australia, those individuals can apply to be covered by Medicare and this meets their health insurance obligation.

Australian temporary resident health insurance can be applied for online at Exfin, with Letters of Insurance emailed to applicants for inclusion in their visa application within two days. Most individuals choose to pay health insurance on a monthly basis.