Justin Grossbard

Hi Bluepope,

What you require is health insurance that meets condition 8501.

Basic holiday insurance doesn't meet this requirement and while I have heard one or two doing it in the past, its highly risky as it doesn't meet the DIBP requirements.

There are five main funds (such as HIF that BestyBlue discussed in this forum) that are compliance with the 457 visa and you should consider.

Two elements to consider:

1) There are waiting periods when it comes to health insurance in Australia. This means that if you for example take up extra's (eg Dental) which you are considering, then you will need to wait a period before you can see a dentist or get a dental procedure (major dental). This can range from 2 months to 12 months and is normally the same across the funds. If your stay is not planned to be long it may be worth not getting extra's cover. If on the other hand you plan to work/stay in Australia for a while, it may be worth getting started with these waiting periods so you can claim later for the family.

2) Health Insurance in Australia is highly regulated. This means that its easy to change from one health fund to another without penalties (or restarting waiting periods). This means its easy to switch from one policy (or fund to another).

I made a comparison site that has all the 457 visa health funds if you Google "457 visa compared" but otherwise you can just Google "457 health insurance" and see some of the main players.

Good luck!

Hi James,

With your application form you must "show proof of adequate health insurance" for your stay.

This means that you need to apply for 457 visa health insurance during your stay with the cover not starting until you arrive (not the date you apply for it).

Two good references on this topic are:

1) http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-health-insurance-faq-visa-holder.htm - The government website about the 457 visa health insurance topic.

2) http://www.457visacompared.com.au/457-visa-health-insurance/ - Shows the main 457 visa health insurance players and has information on the bottom about medicare and other elements

3) http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/medicare-services - Medicare website (for reciprocal countries such as the UK).

As you will see Medicare actually fulfills your 'health insurance requirement' for a 457 visa holder. Problem is, you can't apply for medicare until your in Australia so if you go down that route you first get health insurance, then get medicare and then you can stop your health insurance. I would though consider some key issues of stopping your health insurance such as the quality of Medicare (and coverage) and possible tax penalties of not having health insurance.

Hi there Jay.

The 485 visa is definitely the option for you and the most common working visa option for those studding in Australia.

There are two streams for this visa and it all depends on the degree you completed (ie length of degree etc). Definitely do some research on the http://www.immi.gov.au site but I'm sure you will agree its the visa for you!

Hi there.

I own the site 457visacompared.com.au and regularly get updates from visitors about processing times.

I want to stress that I have never seen as many delays as over the last hew months. Some people have waited over three months currently and I know of some case offices that have taken annual leave.

I know this is frustrating but that is the current situation.

Health Insurance is a funny one in Australia.

I have a family and just two weeks ago I saw a lot of bloody in the cot and called 'nurse on call' (a free service) who told me to take him to hospital.

Now I have private health insurance but the best option was for me to go to a public hospital and wait for him to get looked at.

What this highlights is having health insurance at this point makes little difference.

Now lets look at another situation.

My mate was playing Football and he turned his knee poorly and needs a knee reconstruction.

Medicare covers this but its not critical (even though he does not walk). This means he is put on a waiting list which is over one year (1.5 years if he is lucky).

So for emergency activity, medicare is great but as soon as you go into the other pot, medicare lets you down and private health insurance is a must.

Personally, because you get taxed higher after a certain threshold anyway, I have private health insurance even though I don't use it much.

The stories of people not getting is and having to wait such long periods is just too bigger risk n my book.