485 Visa Health Insurance Requirement

Health insurance requirements for temporary graduate 485 immigration visas have been updated. The visa previously allowed graduates to stay in Australia for just 18 months after finishing their studies, but the new Post-Study Work stream element enables individuals to live in the country for up to four years provided certain specifications are met.

The new stream, which came into effect on March 21 2013, means health insurance requirements are now different, prompting Bupa to release a statement clarifying several details.

To satisfy 485.215, at the time the application was made it needs to have been accompanied by

evidence that the applicant:

  • had adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance and​
  • has had adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance since the time the application was made. That is, to cover the period between when the application was made and when the decision maker is assessing the application (known as the time of decision).

The same requirements apply to secondary applicants – see 485.312.

485.215

[485.215] (1)      When the application was made, it was accompanied by evidence that

the applicant had adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance.

[485.215] (2)      The applicant has had adequate arrangements in Australia for health

insurance since the time the application was made.

Below are the new details

  • as per 457 requirements, a signed letter from a health provider is needed for the 485 visa
  • Bupa’s existing Short Stay Education Cover is no longer adequate for the DIAC to accept for temporary graduate visas
  • Bupa’s new Essential Visitors Cover product became available from April 1 2013 and is on offer for people seeking both 485 and 457 visas

Bupa also said there is no official obligation to buy health insurance for the length of a 485 visa stay upfront and that this only applies under overseas student health cover.

Despite this, the DIBP has said every application is assessed on merit, meaning the upfront payment may be required in some cases – although this is not an official ruling across all applications.

Furthermore, Bupa recommended that people who had already applied for a temporary graduate visa when the changes were introduced should contact the DIBP to check the progress of their application.

Adequate arrangements for health insurance

Overview

To satisfy 485.215, at the time the application was made it needs to have been accompanied by evidence that the primary applicant:

  • had adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance (485.215(1)) and
  • has had adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance since the time the application was made (485.215(2)). That is, to cover the period between when the visa application was made and when a decision is made on the visa.

The same requirements apply to secondary applicants – refer to 485.312.

The requirement to have adequate arrangements for health insurance in Australia for the duration of the applicant’s stay is supported through the imposition of condition 8501 on all VC-485 visas – refer to VC-485 visa conditions.

For policy and procedure, refer to PAM3: Sch8/8501 – Maintain health insurance.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Applicants who are also Student visa holders may present evidence of a valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy at time of visa application to satisfy 485.215(1). However, OSHC may not be acceptable for the purpose of 485.215(2) (i.e. from the time the visa application is made until the time of decision). This is due to the eligibility and claim requirements of the OSHC insurance which requires a holder of OSHC to be:

  • a person holding a student visa, OR

A person who:

  • has made an application for a student visa; and
  • is the holder of a bridging visa; and
  • was immediately before being granted a bridging visa, the holder of a student visa

If the applicant moves from their Student visa to a bridging visa when their Student visa ceases (without making a further student visa application), they will be required to obtain a non-OSHC policy to meet the health insurance requirement of 485.215(2) for their VC-485 visa application immediately after their OSHC ceases.

If the applicant’s student visa is still valid at the time of decision for their VC-485 visa application and they have not obtained non-OSHC health insurance, the case officer should request evidence of adequate arrangements for health insurance from the applicant.

If the applicant is not a student visa holder when they make their application, OSHC is not acceptable evidence of health insurance.

Examples:

Scenario A: Application made while on a student visa

If the applicant is covered by an OSHC until 15 March, and lodged their application for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa in February (prior to the expiry date of the OSHC), they must obtain adequate non-OSHC health insurance cover that commences from 16 March when their bridging visa commences. If their VC-485 visa is granted prior to the expiry date of their student visa (that is, 15 March), they must further obtain a non-OSHC health insurance cover immediately. Under these circumstances, case officers should contact the applicant to request evidence that they have non-OSHC health insurance cover before finalising the visa application.

Scenario B: Application made while on a non-student visa

If the applicant is covered by an adequate non-OSHC health insurance when they make their application for a VC-485, they will need to continue to hold adequate non-OSHC insurance while they are waiting for a decision on their application.