Do I Need Private Health Insurance for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia? 

If you’re planning a working holiday in Australia, a key consideration will be your healthcare coverage. Whilst the Australian Government provides some healthcare through reciprocal agreements, this doesn’t cover every traveller for every situation.

Understanding whether you need private health insurance will help to ensure you stay safe and financially secure throughout your stay, so you can focus on making the most out of this exciting experience.

In this guide, we explain the requirements and benefits of private health insurance for people with a working holiday visa, to help you make an informed decision on what’s best for you.

Australian working holiday visas allow people to travel to and around Australia and undertake temporary work whilst they’re there.

There are two main Australian working holiday visas – the 417 and the 462. People from different countries will be eligible for different visa types, for example, people from the UK can apply for the 417 but not the 462, and people from the USA can apply for the 462 but not the 417.

The 417 sub-type of working holiday visa allows people aged between 18 and 30 to live, work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, with the option to extend it up to three years in total. In the UK, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland and Italy, the age limit is extended to 35.

The 462 sub-type of working holiday visa is similar to the 417, as it allows people aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months, again with the option to extend the visa for up to three years total. The difference is that for the 462, you will need to meet certain educational requirements, and you will need a letter of support from your government to apply.

For both types of visas, you will need to have a valid passport, no criminal records, and enough money to financially support yourself in Australia (e.g. $5,000 for three months stay).

It is not a necessity in applying or a Working Holiday Visa to get private health insurance, but the Australian Government strongly recommends that applicants do.

This is because visitors in Australia don’t qualify for Medicare, Australia’s publicly funded, universal health care. This is only accessible for Australian citizens, permanent visa holders, and New Zealand citizens, so people who hold working holiday visas won’t qualify. They will be considered a private patient and liable to pay and costs for healthcare themselves at the time they receive the treatment.  

Some countries, such as the UK, have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, meaning that some essential and urgent care will be free. However, not every country has this and even for the countries that do, not all treatment will be covered, and some costs may still need to be paid.

For example, the UK’s reciprocal healthcare agreement partially covers medically necessary treatment in a hospital, but  doesn’t cover ambulance travel, prescribed medicine, or treatment at a GP surgery.

Paying for private international health insurance when you go to Australia with a working holiday visa means you will be covered for any medical treatment you may need whilst you’re there. With a comprehensive plan you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be covered in any eventuality, including accidents and illnesses, and won’t have to pay out of pocket.

Expatriate Group provides a range of health insurance plans, designed for people living and working abroad. All of our plans include access to private healthcare, including hospital stays, prescribed medicine for hospital stays, GP consultations, and emergency medical transportation. With us, you’ll always have access to the best possible care, and our customers service team is available 27/7, 365 days a year to assist you whenever you need.

You can view our plans for more information or get a quote to view costs.  

If you don’t get private health insurance for your working holiday visa, you will likely be liable to pay for any healthcare costs for treatment you need during your stay.

According to the Australian Government Medical Costs Finder, these can be expensive. A standard, in-person GP consultation can cost $80, an out-of-hours GP consultation can cost $180, and an initial specialist appointment can cost $200. These prices can vary depending on the state and territory, with some locations costing more.  

Costs for healthcare can mount up quickly. Many people who travel to Australia on a working holiday visa therefore find it much more cost-effective to pay for international health insurance, to ensure any treatment costs are covered.

Expatriate Group is an expert in international health insurance. If you’re going to Australia on a working holiday, keep yourself safe and protected with our comprehensive international medical insurance. Get a quote, view our plans, or contact us for more information.