Australia, with its world-class education system, diverse culture, and impeccable natural beauty, has emerged as a top destination for international students. The country’s top cities offer a blend of academic excellence, job opportunities, and an unparalleled quality of life. These cities not only house some of the world’s best universities but also provide a vibrant cultural scene, making them ideal for studying, living, and working.
- Sydney
- The Harbour City with Endless Opportunities
- Top Colleges:
- University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- Macquarie University
- Famous Things:
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Bondi Beach
- Why Sydney? Sydney, being the largest city in Australia, offers a plethora of job opportunities in various sectors. Its diverse culture and iconic landmarks make it a favourite among international students. The city’s robust public transportation system and cosmopolitan lifestyle make it a perfect place to live and work.
- Top Features:
- Bustling city life with a mix of nature
- Multicultural communities
- Numerous festivals and events occur throughout the year.
- Top Colleges:
Also Read: Australian Study: Why it is Essential to Pursue Vocational Courses
- Melbourne
- The Cultural Capital with a Flair for Arts
- Top Colleges:
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- RMIT University
- Famous Things:
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Why Melbourne? Known for its art, music, and theatre scenes, Melbourne provides a rich cultural experience. The city boasts a strong economy, making it a hub for job seekers. Its student-friendly environment and diverse population make it a top choice for international students.
- Top Features:
- Renowned coffee culture
- Thriving arts and music scene
- Excellent public transport
- Top Colleges:
Also Read: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Health Insurance Requirements
- Brisbane
- The Sunlit City with a Warm Welcome
- Top Colleges:
- University of Queensland
- Queensland University of Technology
- Griffith University
- Famous Things:
- South Bank Parklands
- Brisbane River
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Why Brisbane? With its warm climate and friendly locals, Brisbane offers a unique Australian experience. The city’s growing industries provide ample job opportunities, and its affordable living costs make it attractive to students.
- Top Features:
- Vibrant nightlife and entertainment
- Close proximity to famous beaches
- Thriving business district
- Top Colleges:
- Adelaide
- The Coastal Beauty with a Relaxed Pace
- Top Colleges:
- University of Adelaide
- Flinders University
- University of South Australia
- Famous Things:
- Adelaide Oval
- Adelaide Zoo
- Barossa Valley
- Why Adelaide? Adelaide’s serene beaches and laid-back lifestyle make it a peaceful place to study and live. The city offers a balanced life with its cultural events, parks, and job opportunities in various sectors.
- Top Features:
- Rich wine regions
- Festivals and events throughout the year
- Affordable living costs
- Top Colleges:
Also Read: The Top 5 In-Demand Trade Courses in Australia for 2023
- Perth
- The Western Gem with a Golden Touch
- Top Colleges:
- University of Western Australia
- Curtin University
- Edith Cowan University
- Famous Things:
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Perth Mint
- Cottesloe Beach
- Why Perth? Perth’s booming economy, especially in the mining sector, offers numerous job opportunities. It’s pristine beaches and outdoor activities make it a favourite among students seeking a balance between studies and leisure.
- Top Features:
- Warm and sunny climate
- Growing tech and startup scenes
- Proximity to Asia, offering diverse cultural experiences
- Top Colleges:
Also Read: Why Choose Australia for Your Higher Studies and Why Now?
Conclusion: Choosing the right city in Australia for your studies and future can be a daunting task. However, with the guidance of the Aussizz Group, a leading visa and immigration consultant with 30+ branches in Australia, the journey becomes smoother. With 50+ RMA agents, they are just a message or call away, ensuring that international students make informed decisions and enjoy a seamless transition to Australian life. Get in touch with us TODAY
This is the story of a young student Neeta, who like most of us, arrived in Australia to chase her dreams. Taking the decision of going overseas at the tender age of 19 was not easy for her as this was her first time leaving home and her family. But Neeta was on top of the world! She adjusted well, settled in and was happy with her life at University.
One night, within four months of arriving in Australia, Neeta had to rush to the emergency room due to a severe urinary tract infection. She was alone, with no family or friends around for support. She was admitted at midnight while undergoing severe pain.
She was in so much pain that she couldn’t walk or even find the strength to talk to anyone. She was lonely and scared, staying overnight at a hospital in a different country. Fortunately, she was well taken care of by the staff and discharged in the morning with additional prescriptions to continue her treatment.
Although she was well and healthy in a few days, her stress was far from being over. The hospital bill arrived two weeks later. Due to the expeditious nature of her condition, she had to go to private hospital and treated immediately. She was charged for her emergency treatment and the single bed in a shared room for the night.
This resulted in the treatment costing around $ 1200. In addition to this, the prescription drugs costed her extra $150. For an international student with no job and other daily expenses to take care of, $1200 was a massive amount of money.
Thankfully, Neeta had a good OSHC plan from a reputable health insurance provider which covered in-patient treatments for more than 90% of the private hospitals in Australia. The OSHC provider she had chosen had a good network of private hospitals under their scope of coverage which reduced out of pocket expenses of many overseas students even when admitted to a private hospital.
Neeta’s OSHC provider allowed claims for the entire treatment cost including in-patient accommodation fees (i.e. your bed stay, meals, and nursing care) of $1200. Additionally, she was able to claim a part of the pharmacy expenses as the OSHC provider covered up to $50 per prescribed medicine in the itemised pharmacy bill.
The entire process to claim medical expenses was super smooth one as Neeta used the insurance providers’ mobile app feature, designed to be instantaneous and yield quick results. The hospital bill was taken care of within 10 working days. Neeta did not have to spend a single penny from her pocket or face any hassles in the claims process. This was all possible because she chose the right insurance provider.
Neeta shared her story with us because she wants to create awareness around the importance of choosing the right insurance plan. Nobody expects unfortunate events like this, but it is always a good idea to be prepared.
To compare and buy the best policies instantaneously, log on to www.getmypolicy.online. It is the perfect resource that allows you to compare a wide range of OSHC plans by Australia’s leading providers like Allianz Global Assistance, Bupa, Nib and AHM and buy the one that perfectly meet your needs along with the immigration department for Australian visa
Many students want to extend their stay in Australia after they have completed their studies. They can do so by applying a Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485. This visa gives students full work rights, and additional time to secure points under points test scheme for students who are also keen on securing a permanent residency in Australia.
Who needs a 485 visa?
A 485 Visa can be applied by all international graduates who have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia and wish to live in Australia for some time. You would also need to provide evidence of a valid Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) to get a Temporary Graduate visa, also called a 485 visa.
Who is eligible to apply for 485 visa?
The basic eligibilities to apply for a 485 visa are;
- Must be under 50 years’ old
- Must hold an eligible visa
- Must have held a Student Visa in the past six months
- Covered by a Bridging or Substantive visa
- Must have studied a CRICOS-registered course for at least 92 academic weeks in Australia.
- Apply under graduate work stream or post study work steam on the basis of level of course work completed while on the student visa.
- One visa stream only nomination- stream can’t be changed after you apply
- Meet the additional requirements
- For Graduate Work Stream, you may need accreditation from the industry body that is associated with your qualification/skill
What are the choices of streams given in a temporary graduate visa?
Two choices of visa streams are available under a temporary graduate visa; i.e. Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream. You can apply any of the streams.
Must Read: Why Renewing OSHC & OVHC Is Significant to Ensure a Continuous & Stress-Free Stay in Australia?
Graduate Work Stream
If you have recently completed your graduation in a course that is relating to the occupation of skill shortage in Australia, you can apply or this visa. This visa allows you to study, stay and work in Australia.
- You can work and stay in Australia up to 18 months
- If you have a qualification applicable to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
- Bring your family to Australia
- The processing period for this visa is about four months
Post-study Work Stream
If you have completed a degree from an Australian university recently, you can stay and work in Australia with this visa stream.
- Based on your qualification, you can work and live from 2 to 4 years in Australia
- Have a degree from CRICOS-registered course
- Bring your family to Australia
- It takes approx. 4 months to process the visa
Is it necessary to complete an English Language test for 485 visa?
Yes, it is necessary to complete an English Language Test like IELTS, PTE as a part of your visa application to ensure your English proficiency.
Will I require to buy a health cover for my 485 visa?
During the time of the application, as a condition of your 485 Visa requirement, you will require to buy an Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Basically, a student needs a transition from their OSHC to an OVHC, i.e. a 485 visa health insurance. Having an adequate OVHC is essential to meet the 8501 visa condition.
The main difference between an OSHC and OVHC is that you will need to buy the OSHC at one go for the entire period of your stay in Australia. Whereas, you can pay the premium every month for your OVHC policy.
Remember, like an OSHC; you must have to maintain appropriate health insurance for your entire stay in Australia once your 485 visa request is granted, as well.
Checklist: What things to keep in mind before choosing the health cover?
There are some points one needs to keep in mind before purchasing the health cover. First, you need to know that there are three levels of cover for an OVHC. First, you can take only a Hospital cover, second, you can take a Hospital plus GP cover, and third, you can buy a Hospital plus GP plus Extras.
Now, you have to decide for how long you intend to stay in Australia? The next thing is how much can you afford? Depending on those two things, you can start looking for a cover.
Here is a tip. You should think about the budget before choosing a cover; however, you must check what type of coverage you require depending on your profession. You should opt for a higher cover if you are in a risky profession.
Likewise, if you have any chronic health issues or pre-existing conditions, you need to look for the policies that cover that illness. In that case, do not forget to buy Extras to cover facilities like dental, contact lenses, physiotherapy, psychology, chiropractic, hearing aids etc. as a part of your OVHC policy.
How can GetMyPolicy help you?
GetMyPolicy makes your job a lot easier if you are looking for the tailored health cover made for you. The leading insurance providers in Australia are listed under www.getmypolicy.online. You can find a wide range of OVHC Australia policies on this platform which are 100% visa compliant. Select the best cover that suits and need and budget, and you are good to go.
Traveling abroad demands in-depth preparation in various aspects. The key among them are finance, housing, university or job, and of course, health. The last one seems to be more crucial in ongoing times like COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, your foremost aim should be to secure the best Overseas Health Insurance as per your current health condition.
Let’s start right from the basics. Why Overseas Health Insurance is necessary in Australia? Is it over – hyped? Is it compulsory and why? Can’t we just use Medicare? Is it necessary to extend health cover when we extend our visa?
Let’s take a while and know the answers to the most frequently asked questions when people relate the terms: Visa, Overseas Health Insurance, Australia, Compulsory, Cost & Comparison, Extending/Renewing OSHC/OVHC Insurance.
As many of us know, Australia is one of the few nations that brags about the level of medical facilities it provides to its people and citizens. The public health care system a.k.a Medicare, covers all doctor charges at public hospitals. It also reimburses as much as 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for a general practitioner and 85% of the MBS fee for a specialist. Medicare is not just about fee reimbursement or free treatment, it also encompasses eye tests, surgical procedures by dentists, various tests undertaken by patients such as X – rays, pathology tests etc.

However, Medicare stays limited to Australia and a few countries that has Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements (RHA) with Australia. Subject to various types of visa and policies, Australia has an RHA with countries like Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The healthcare system in Australia is dear and can account for massive out-of-pocket expenses if not covered with appropriate overseas health insurance. One day at a hospital in Australia with a private bed and consultations could cost a person as much as $1000
Must Read: With OSHC, Secure Your Health and College Life In Australia
As various types of visas have various health requirements, it becomes important for us to check the requirements as stated by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. Let’s understand some of them.
- All student visas, under subclass 500, requires students to have and maintain an OSHC Health Cover during their entire period of stay in Australia. The ONLY exemptions for an OSHC insurance is if students are from Norway, Sweden or Belgium – covered under various agreements. To everyone else, it stands compulsory.
- Students under Temporary Graduate Visas, under subclass 485, are also mandated to have an adequate OVHC insurance (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) during their stay in Australia. If the applicant hails from the country Australia has a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement (RHA) with, they might be covered under Medicare.
- For Visitor visas, under subclass 600, are not mandated to possess an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) insurance however, it is recommended not to travel without one unless you wish to spend $1000-$2000 everyday unnecessary.
But insurance once done is done. No need to extend or renew, right? Well, you may want to re-think and do things differently.
Sam is studying in Australia and rightfully has an OSHC insurance to save him from medical expenses. He wishes to extend his stay and pursue Masters to have better career prospects.
His friend Bert, who is working in the university library is going through the same conundrum to extend his working visa.
So, what do they do? Can they extend their visa applications without extending their health insurances? The answer is simple. No, they can’t.
When one renews their student visa or working visa, they also have to renew their OSHC or working visa health cover. They have to have the relevant overseas health insurances till the date they wish to stay in Australia.To make the matter simple, Sam can visit GetMyPolicy.online to view, compare & buy the best health policy as per his needs to renew OSHC insurance. Similarly, Bert can renew his working visa health cover and align it with his needs and specifications by comparing various plans from visitors’ insurance providers. GetMypolicy.online enlists all the government-approved OSHC like Ahm, Allianz Global Assistance, Bupa OSHC, Medibank, OSHC Nib etc.
With the renewed status of their respective overseas health insurance, they will be eligible to extent their visa. But hey, what happens if they forget to renew their health covers?
In Sam’s case, if his student health cover expires when in Australia on a student visa, he can still renew OSHC insurance for the rest of his student visa, but will have to pay the premiums for the gap period when he did not have the cover. He will also not be able to claim any benefits during the expired period of his student’s health cover.
In a similar fashion, if Bert’s OVHC insurance policy expires when he’s in Australia on a working visa, he will still be able to renew OVHC insurance. However, if his visa expires, it will be termed as invalid and he will now have to appear for a new visa. It would have been ideal for him had he renewed the same before the expiry of his existing working visa. Moreover, he’ll need to keep in mind to not only to extend his working visa in time but also renew OVHC insurance before it gets lapse.
Must Read: 6 Most Important Terms to Consider for Australia Health Insurance Plan
This post is all about how international students can claim their pharmacy expenses based on their OSHC Insurance.
Before we begin, one ought to understand what is PBS?
PBS stands for “Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme” is an Australian Government program that benefits Australians as well as visitors by subsidizing medicines to make them more affordable.
The PBS is governed by the National Health Act 1953. Details about the Minister for Health are available on the Department of Health website.
OSHC for Australia is mandatory for students to keep for the entire length of their student visa. In short, OSHC insurance is a visa-length cover. Pharmacy bills containing prescription medicines prescribed by a doctor/GP while in Australia are covered under your OSHC Health Insurance.
PBS prescriptions are always accompanied by co-payment. For now, major OSHC providers have set the minimum co-payment amount for the international students to $42.30.
If the cost of a PBS medicine falls below the general co-payment amount (under co-payment prescription), the method used to calculate the maximum general patient charge for the medicine includes an Additional Fee, an Additional Patient Charge, and any applicable price premiums.
To claim the pharmacy expenses, a student first has to pay the co-payment of $42.30 (counted towards each item in the bill) & the rest will be paid by the OSHC provider up to a maximum limit of $50 per prescribed item.
Later, the student has to contact OSHC health insurance provider to start the claim process for reimbursement. We hope that the pharmacy expenses claim process for OSHC policy will be easier to understand with the following infographic.

Do you always feel “tumbling down the rabbit hole” because of the complex terms involved whenever you need a new or extend your health insurance plan?
Well, relax. We have got you covered in this post.
Australia requires you to have OSHC (overseas student health cover) for students and OVHC (overseas visitor health cover) for working and visitor visa categories.
Choosing the right overseas health insurance can be an intimidating process for aspiring & existing international students because it demands to figure out which policy is the best one.
Aspiring migrants who want to settle down in Australia also face the same issue with buying adequate health insurance (OVHC) to meet the Australian visa requirements.
Australia boasts one of the best health & medical facility across the world and thus; one must require to have the specific level of health insurance (OSHC and OVHC) for themselves as well as the family members for the entire duration of stay in Australia.
Among many others, the leading government-approved health providers are Ahm OSHC, Allianz OSHC, Bupa OSHC, Medibank OSHC, and Nib OSHC. ensures the best coverage against hefty medical and hospital accommodation bills that usually occurs due to some situations that we compiled in another blog.
Buying health insurance is a tricky deal to crack, to be honest. No one wants to regret their decision after investing the money. So, it is always recommended not to get overwhelmed with the information available in the market and ever think about the actual need before buying a policy.
This is attributed to a number of questions asked related to health or the use of medical terms that certainly gives a hard time to understand and make the buying process insanely confusing.
Besides, people often confuse “benefits” with “returns”. Even though health insurance is considered an investment, it is strictly limited to risk protection and not increasing your savings.

Are you also looking to buy the best overseas health cover and want to avoid the same consequences? You need not panic.
Let’s start with the 7 points that one must consider before buying an overseas health cover. Take a look!
1. Coverage: Are you among the ones who prefer to buy a overseas health insurance just because it’s less expensive? If yes, then you may have to rethink. One must not purchase a plan just because it is less costly but carefully measure the amount of coverage it offers.
Some of the incentives to ask the insurance provider are pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization, network hospitals, day-care services, free medical check-ups, maternity benefits, amount of money for claims, etc.
2. Premium: Before buying overseas health insurance, one must calculate the premium. Premium is the amount you are required to pay for your health insurance coverage, typically every month.
You need to decide how much you can afford to spend on your policy since each insurer has a different set of standards and assumptions to measure the premium amount, and if you fail to pay that amount you risk losing coverage.
3. Deductibles: A deductible is a specific amount that a policyholder pays each year towards the medical expenses before the insurance provider proceed to provide you with the benefits.
For example, you buy an annual $1000 deductible health cover and a hospital stay that will cost you $20,000. Yeah, you’d only be responsible for paying $1000, and the health plan will start paying the premiums for the remaining $19,000 as per the contract terms and conditions.
The primary purpose of having a deductible is to keep the premiums low through cost-sharing and reduce the number of small claims.

4. Waiting Periods: While purchasing an overseas health cover, one has to keep in mind the waiting period. All health cover plans come with a waiting period for pre-existing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, etc. It is a specific period that you need to cover before claiming any benefits in your insurance policy.
Generally, a waiting period of 2 to 4 years is a standard clause in the majority of the health policies. When you abide by this clause (i.e. serve your waiting period), you will never be denied for appropriate claims by the insurance companies.
Must Read: Know more about Waiting Period
5. Co-pay or Coinsurance: Co-payments are the fixed amount of cost-sharing between the insurance provider and the policyholder for specific health benefits or drugs. For example, you purchase a policy for primary care doctors with $20 co-pay, and generic drugs with $10 co-pay. For those facilities, you have to pay specific fixed amounts regardless of the cost.
More often, people confuse co-pay with deductibles, but, they are entirely different terms. A co-pay is the fixed amount that you pay each time you get a particular type of health service. While a deductible is an amount that you pay annually before actually reaping the benefits of your health insurance cover.
6. Sum Insured: Sum Insured is the guaranteed amount of money an insurance company assures to pay when a claim is made. When choosing a ‘Sum Insured’, you need to consider your age, income levels and add-on covers in the policy as it also affects your premium amount. It is always advisable to take care of medical inflation in order to make the most of the sum insured.
7. Exclusions: Before purchasing the policy one must check the exclusions. Exclusions are the disease, situation or condition that is not covered by the insurance provider and those medical costs are totally upon the person. Exclusions can be either ‘permanent’ or ‘first year’. Permanent exclusions are never covered whereas the first year exclusions will be hidden from the second year.
Now that you are aware of these terms and before you leave us to buy one, why not compare multiple plans first at www.getmypolicy.online and be sure of making a right decision!

On GetMyPolicy.online, you can compare the plans from leading service providers in Australia and get the best quote, be it for 485 Visa, 489 Visa or student visa. Through this platform, you can purchase the overseas health insurance from Bupa (OVHC & OSHC), Allianz Global Assistance (OVHC & OSHC), Ahm (OSHC), Medibank (OSHC & OVHC), Nib (OSHC), Australia Unity (OVHC) and Iman (OVHC).
There are no hidden overheads, just the platform with the most accurate information and hassle-free buying process.
Start navigating now to get the best value at the least price!
When it comes to buying overseas health insurance there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important is whether you should buy individual or couple’s coverage.
This article will discuss some of the major differences between these two types of policies so that you can make an informed decision about what type of overseas health insurance is best for your needs.
What is Couple Overseas Health Insurance?
The idea of private health insurance is to offer you and your partner protection against the costs associated with hospitalization, doctors’ appointments, out-of-hospital medical services like dental care or physiotherapy that aren’t covered by Medicare.
Outsmarting these expenses can be difficult for many people who are on tight budgets. Thus, it’s important not only to have this type of coverage but also to investigate what else might apply to get full value from insurers including the extra cover which offers help paying bills when emergencies arise.
How Does a Couple OSHC Policy Work?
If you’re legally married or in a de facto relationship, then there are two options for couples’ health insurance. One is to take out separate policies and buy them together as partners; the other would be getting one policy that covers both of your needs under this arrangement.
What is Single Overseas Health Insurance?
A single health insurance policy will cover one person instead of multiple people. This means it can be more tailored to the needs and preferences of that specific policyholder, as opposed to needing what benefits parents or spouses may need to maintain their families’ coverage.
What are Hospital Cover & Extras Cover?
Hospital Cover
Hospital insurance is a great way to protect yourself from high medical costs. Hospital policies can cover the cost of treatment when you are admitted as either an in-patient or outpatient, including doctor visits and hospital stays!
- theatre and hospital accommodation fees
- patient meals
- intensive care
- prostheses objects
- diagnostic tests
- drugs, dressings, and other medical supplies
Extras cover
A person with OSHC for Australia with Extras cover will be able to pay for out-of-hospital medical services, such as:
- dental treatment (including dental check-ups)
- optical including eye check-ups, glasses, and contact lenses
- orthodontic treatment
- chiropractic treatment
For people who question the need for an OSHC cover, a private bed at an Australian hospital with basic medical facilities could cost you as much as 1000 Australian Dollars a day. Too much of a ‘hole in the pocket,’ isn’t it?Answering your question with basic statistics, if an overseas student looks to buy an OSHC, say, for one month, it costs, at an average, approximately AUD 41. (Varies as per the OSHC provider) Therefore, for a two–year course, a person would end up paying close to 1000 AUD. Again, two persons would end up paying 2000 AUD for the same.
However, in case a couples’ OSHC insurance is taken, for the same month taken for individual calculation, it would, at an average end up costing them AUD 250 for a month and as much as 3000 AUD for a year. And, for the similar case as mentioned above, a whopping 6000 AUD for a 2-year course!
Just have a look at what has been highlighted. Do you realize that the insurance covered is the same, for the same number of people – two? Then how come the couples’ insurance is three times the cost of 2 individual student insurances? Conventional thinking, however: Isn’t it economically feasible to buy two such individual OSHC policies? Smart savings, right?
Well, there is a clash of thoughts! As per the Australian home affairs, the OSHC policy for families or couples need not be combined, and each applicant can take out their covers respectively. (Economically simple and feasible, isn’t it?) But keep in mind, that in almost all cases, the department of home affairs doesn’t have anything else to do wrt. Individual/couple insurance as their primary concern is addressed – You have made arrangements for adequate health insurance for your period of stay in Australia.
However, the policies of insurance companies seem to collide with this view of thought. As per them, a couple is not allowed to have dual individual policies. They MUST have the couple’s insurance.
There is NO CLEAR REASON for the extreme difference in prices, however. Here are a few possible reasons:
- You might take up two individual policies, but the insurance provider could annul the benefits of the claim on the pretext of a wrong insurance cover.
- The reason for the price difference could be covering pregnancy & infant – treatment costs by the insurance provider. This again collides with a couple who don’t intend to have a baby during their months of study in Australia. In such cases, there would be unwanted high payments.
Must Read: Pregnancy Care in OSHC! Essential Things You Need to Know!
- Even though individual policies are liable to get their visa approved, problems could arise in case of bill clearances. Also, if one of the two members or both visits a doctor, they could still be denied coverage on the pretext of possessing incorrect insurance.
- In the case of individual policies, your dependents are not covered if there is a need for prolonged treatment. This could result in excessive costs being made out of pocket and worse, you wouldn’t even be able to claim for it.
Wrap Up:
Whatever your choice is, we are here to help you. At GetMyPolicy, choose between the best government-registered insurance providers and plans. Also, compare between them, see available features, and know precisely what you pay for. That is not all. Upload your policy and get 15 FREE PTE Practice Tests!
Uday’s (name changed for privacy) parents visited Australia first time in 2014 on tourist visa. They got an insurance policy from a reputed Indian insurance company before arriving in Australia.
When they arrived in Australia, they found the claim process of current health insurance to be lengthy and tedious hence they were unsure to continue further with the company.
Their son Uday did a research and found out an Australian company’s policy that covered most of the things like ambulance services, general dental, optical, GP visits etc. Hence, he got a bronze visitor + extras couple cover at the monthly premium of $356. Uday’s father also informed about his condition of prolonged diabetes as it is one of the mandatory requirement before getting a health insurance policy.
While Uday’s father was in Australia, he suffered from a sudden heart attack and needed emergency medical treatment. The total hospital expense for the entire treatment was $32,000. After the payments were done, the family went to the Australian insurance company for the claim. While processing the claim, the company studied the medical reports.
During the initial investigation, The insurance provider surmised that since Uday’s father was suffering from prolonged diabetes, his heart ailment might be a pre-existing condition which was not declared while getting the policy. Further to their investigation, they asked Uday to submit previous medical records to which he agreed and followed all the procedures without any deviation.
Uday submitted all the previous medical records of his father. After a quick deliberation, the insurance provider came to the conclusion that the pre-existing condition clause doesn’t imply here and hence Uday and his family were eligible for the cover of $18,000 under the restricted clause for cardiac arrest treatment (in accordance with the claims standard set forth for the bronze cover). This was a great help for Uday and his family as the insurance company paid a huge sum of the medical expenses as promised.
Since, Uday made the right decision of moving to an Australian insurance company, it helped him to deal with the large sum of emergency medical expenses. Now his parents keep visiting Australia after every 6 months.
When his parents are not in Australia, he blocks the membership which means he doesn’t have to pay the monthly premium of $356 for that duration. When they are back in Australia, he unblocks the membership and his parents are again covered by the policy. Hence this Australian company’s policy was ideal for him and his family.
If you are also living in Australia and have parents who need to visit you frequently, with a right level of health cover you can make sure you and your loved ones are covered in case any injury or accident happen.
Being a group of professional immigration consultants, we at Aussizz Group always work by the sweat of our brow to make sure our client fulfils every obligation to migrate to Australia and have a peaceful stay here. Apart from providing assistance for the visa process, we also extend our support in choosing the best health cover for them and their dependents.
At GetMyPolicy.online you can find a great range of health insurance plans by leading providers of Australia. You can compare them at different parameters like premium, deductibles and choose the one that best meet your needs.
South Australia has unveiled its Skilled Occupation List for 2023-24 (General Skilled Migration program), introducing a Registration of Interest (ROI) system to manage the influx of potential applicants. This system is designed to balance the high demand from individuals residing and working in the state with the limited availability of nomination slots.
Registration of Interest (ROI) Process:
The South Australian Government has transitioned to an ROI process to streamline applications. This implies that aspirants are required to submit an ROI and await an invitation to apply for state nomination from South Australia, prohibiting direct applications for state nomination.
Priority to International Graduates and Temporary Visa Holders:
South Australia is emphasizing the retention of its international graduates and temporary visa holders, prioritizing them under this invitation process. This approach ensures that the state retains a diverse and skilled workforce, contributing to its overall development and growth.
Targeting Experienced Overseas Workers:
The state is actively seeking experienced overseas professionals possessing skills in sectors experiencing high demand in South Australia. Professions within Trades and Construction, Defence, Health, Education, Natural and Physical Science, and Social and Welfare are particularly targeted. These individuals are approached through invitations to apply for South Australian nomination, ensuring the state has access to a pool of skilled and experienced individuals.
Nos. | Occupation Categories | Nos. | Occupation Categories |
1 | Farmers and Farm Managers | 13 | Construction Trades Workers |
2 | Specialist Managers | 14 | Electrotechnology & Telecommunications Trades Workers |
3 | Hospitality, Retail & Service Managers | 15 | Food Trades Workers |
4 | Arts & Media Professionals | 16 | Skilled Animal & Horticultural Workers |
5 | Business, Human Resource & Marketing Professionals | 17 | Other Technicians & Trades Workers |
6 | Design, Engineering, Science & Transport Professionals | 18 | Health & Welfare Support Workers |
7 | Education Professionals | 19 | Protective Services Workers |
8 | Health Professionals | 20 | Sports & Personal Service Workers |
9 | ICT Professionals | 21 | Office Managers & Program Administrators |
10 | Legal, Social & Welfare Professionals | 22 | Other Clerical and Administrative Workers |
11 | Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians | 23 | Sales Representatives & Agents (Insurance, Real Estate) |
12 | Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers |
For more information on the Skilled Occupation List: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/occupation-lists/south-australia-skilled-occupation-list
Contribution to Fast-Growing Industries:
South Australia is on the lookout for highly skilled overseas workers capable of significantly contributing to the state’s rapidly expanding industries and nationally prioritized projects. The focus is on individuals with experience in the defense industry and those with specialized skills in digital and critical technologies sectors. The inclusion of such skilled individuals is crucial for the state’s progression in these pivotal sectors.
Opportunities for International Graduates and Temporary Visa Holders:
International graduates and other temporary visa holders are evaluated across a wide range of occupations, maintaining consistency with previous years. Moreover, over 290 occupations are available to offshore skilled workers, offering a plethora of opportunities for individuals around the globe.
2023–24 Business Innovation and Investment Program:
Currently, South Australia is not accepting applications for state nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). However, business or investor migrants possessing a provisional visa (subclass 188) are eligible to apply for nomination for the extension stream or permanent visa (subclass 888) in 2023–24, as these are not constrained by a nomination cap.
South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List for 2023-24 and the introduction of the ROI process mark a strategic approach to managing the demand for state nominations. By prioritizing international graduates, temporary visa holders, and experienced overseas workers, South Australia is fostering a diverse and skilled workforce to drive the state’s growth in various high-demand sectors. The opportunities presented by the state are extensive, spanning across numerous occupations and industries, and are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s future landscape.
Application Fees:
For more detailed information regarding application fees and any other associated charges, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to assist you with any queries or clarifications you might need.
Content Courtesy: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/news-events/2023-24-general-skilled-migration-program-now-open
Ahh! That’s just the visa requirement! I’ll buy the cheap health insurance policy.
Most often, people looking to study or work in Australia have the same thought when they are asked to have an OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) or OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) to meet the health requirements for visa.
There is a tendency to look for options which are relatively cheap or suitable to the pocket or buying the one without knowing the details of varied health plans available as per the personal requirements. As a result, they don’t get the right kind of financial assistance when any mishap or unfortunate situation happen.
However, it is of utmost important to take a number of aspects into consideration before buying or even renewing your health insurance policy. It is only then, that you can zero in on the right policy for yourself as well as your family.
Let us look at some of the most common mistakes people make, so that you can avoid them when you decide to choose the ideal health plan for yourself to apply for any Australian visa.
1) Caring for Money over Coverage
Whenever you buy anything, you must look at the money aspect of it; that is only natural. But, unlike any other things and services available in the market, which you can choose primarily based on their cost, you cannot do the same when you’re out there choosing a health insurance plan.
The reason is simple. The right plan might not seem too important in your normal routine life, but it is meant to protect you from falling into undue financial circumstances at the time of a medical emergency.
The word ‘emergency’ is important here. So, do not choose a plan with an insufficient coverage, to save yourself a financial inconvenience now; because it could cause a bigger mess when you’re already inconvenienced health-wise.
2) Always looking for the basic cover
A health insurance plan has to be comprehensive in its nature; otherwise, what’s the use? Most people, when they decide to buy a plan, are so adamant on saving a few bucks, that they tend to choose a very basic plan over a detailed one.
If you’re buying an insurance plan, just for the sake of it – it is almost as good as not having one. If you fail to realize how big a role a comprehensive insurance plan can play towards helping you out in your need of hour, then it is a matter of concern.
The right way of going about this is through choosing a plan that covers a critical illness rider and a personal accident rider, in addition to the basic insurance plan. A complete plan is one, which also provides you with certain added benefits, such as cashless hospitalization, domiciliary hospitalization, and ambulance charges.
3) Not Reading Every Claim Properly
To err is human, they say; and when it comes to making an error while reading the fine print on your insurance plan, misunderstanding something, or leaving something out completely – is an error not too uncommon. Just so that you don’t have to face any problems due to that, later on, you’ll find almost every health insurance company providing a 15-day ‘look period’.
As the name itself suggests, this is a 15-day time you get, after you have already bought your policy, to look at the fine print, and understand each detail properly. This is a free look period, at the end of which, if you do find something problematic, you can ask for your plan to be scrapped right then.
The company will initiate the cancellation procedure, and offer you a payback as per their Terms and Conditions. This period is extremely important ; and do not waste it. Make sure you have gone through each and every clause, before you agree to go further with the plan.
4) Hesitating in Going for a different Insurer
For some reason, people feel a bit shy when it comes to changing their insurance provider. The question is, why? If there is another provider who’s offering you a plan with better benefits, you should not refrain yourself or hesitate from reconsidering your current plan, and skip to the better one.
5) Keeping Certain Things from Your Insurer
Do not conceal any medical facts about yourself. If you keep any of your health conditions undeclared in front of your insurance provider, at the time of purchasing a plan, you might face problems ahead. This could be held against you, at the time of claim settlement.
For instance, if you are suffering from a pro-longed illness but you didn’t bother to mention the same in your application. And by any chance if you are hospitalised due to medical emergency, your claims get rejected on sending the hospital bill to the insurer.
6) Delay in Renewing the policy
Without the proof of adequate health, overseas visitors and students cannot spend a single day in Australia. If you fail to renew this policy means you are breaching the health insurance condition, which ultimately result into visa rejection or cancellation. That’s not all, there are also other disadvantages if you renew the policy after the due date. To know them visit now
Must Read: Why Renewing OSHC & OVHC Is Significant to Ensure a Continuous & Stress-Free Stay in Australia?
Whether you are traveling for weeks, undertaking a course of study for few months or living for years, considering an international health insurance carefully is essential to prepare for or avoid potential dangers. Discussed above are a few things that people take for granted, while choosing an OVHC policy or OSHC policy. We hope you don’t make the same mistakes and buy the one that covers the maximum benefits you need.
If you want to compare health insurance plans before making any decision, then www.getmypolicy.online is the perfect resource for you . It allows you to compare a wide range of health insurance plans by Australia’s leading providers like Allianz Global Assistance, Bupa, Nib and AHM and buy the one that perfectly meet your needs along with the immigration department for Australian visa.