Is private personal insurance compulsory?

[ceelin]

I have a temporary visa which does not entitle me for Medicare. I have just arrived in Perth 2 weeks ago and someone told e that it is compulsory to get private insurance and that I have a certain period of time to apply for one before I am fined. If this is true, how long do I have before I am fined?

[phil]

The best bet is to check the paperwork that came with your visa issue. I've read that it is compulsory for some visa types, and that the reciprocal agreement with the NHS might satisfy the visa condition. I was told that the thing to watch for is the cost of an ambulance (should you be unfortunate enough to need one) and to check if whatever arrangements you have in place would cover that cost.

[Goat]

What visa is it please , I suspect it's not the 457 as you would have had to have had health insurance in place for it to be granted

[Admin]

For a 457 visa, (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-health-insurance-faq-visa-holder.htm)

you would have had to had some form of insurance in place for visa grant. On arrival, if you were from a country which has a reciprocal health care agreement in place (eg UK), then you could cancel your insurance as you would be eligible for medicare and that satisfies the visa requirements.

 

 

On a 475 visa, (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/475/how-the-visa-works.htm)

visa holders from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement will have restricted access to Medicare. People without access to Medicare are responsible for all health costs incurred in Australia. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you arrange suitable private health insurance.

So 'Highly recommended' for people with no access to medicare, but not a visa requirement.

[ceelin]

What visa is it please , I suspect it's not the 457 as you would have had to have had health insurance in place for it to be granted

 

It's a Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

[ceelin]

For a 457 visa, (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-health-insurance-faq-visa-holder.htm)

you would have had to had some form of insurance in place for visa grant. On arrival, if you were from a country which has a reciprocal health care agreement in place (eg UK), then you could cancel your insurance as you would be eligible for medicare and that satisfies the visa requirements.

 

 

On a 475 visa, (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/475/how-the-visa-works.htm) So 'Highly recommended' for people with no access to medicare, but not a visa requirement.

 

Thanks for that.