Overseas Visitors Health Cover for the 485 Visa: What You Need to Have—and When
Finishing your studies is exciting until you hit the health cover maze. If you’re about to lodge a 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, you’ve probably heard mixed advice about whether OSHC is enough, when to switch to OVHC, and what to show the Department.
As a registered migration agent in Perth, I see this confusion every week. The rule of thumb is simple: OSHC can get you through lodgement while you’re still on a Student visa; OVHC needs to cover you once that visa ends—or from grant, if that comes first. The trick is timing your policy dates so there’s no gap.
As Migration Agents in Perth, we’re here to help. Book a consultation with First Choice Australian Migration, Level 32, 152 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000. Call 08 6364 3782.
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Overseas Visitor Health Cover, or OVHC, is a type of health insurance created for people in Australia on working and visitor visas.
For some visas such as subclass 417 (Working Holiday), 462 (Work and Holiday) and 600 (Visitor), health insurance is not compulsory. You still need to meet Australia’s health requirements for your visa to be granted, but this does not always include holding insurance. Even when it is not a condition, it is strongly recommended to take out cover for your own security. Healthcare costs in Australia can be significant if you are uninsured, and OVHC gives you protection and peace of mind during your stay.
For other visas, health cover is a requirement. A common example is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Many international students move from a Student visa to a 485 visa once they finish their studies. Student visas require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), but this type of policy does not meet the conditions of a 485 visa. The 485 is subject to visa condition 8501, which requires adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay. To meet that condition you must hold OVHC, not OSHC.
Understanding the difference and knowing when to make the change is important for keeping your visa compliant.
Why the health cover switch matters
Australia’s “adequate health insurance” rules for the Subclass 485 visa are strict. Most graduates:
Finish their studies and still hold a Student visa for a short period.
Lodge the 485 application before the Student visa ends.
Move onto a Bridging Visa A (BVA) when the Student visa expires.
Here’s the key:
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) satisfies the requirement when you lodge, provided you’re still on a Student visa at that time.
Once your Student visa ends (and your BVA starts), the Department expects Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) which is suitable for temporary graduates/visitors—until decision.
What we can learn from the Department’s own guidance
The Department of Home Affairs’ Procedures Advice Manual (PAM3) sets out exactly how case officers assess the health insurance requirement for the Subclass 485 visa. Here’s a real example:
“If the applicant is covered by OSHC until 15 March, and lodged their application for a Subclass 485 visa in February (prior to the expiry date of the OSHC), they must obtain adequate non-OSHC health insurance that commences from 16 March when their bridging visa commences. If their Subclass 485 visa is granted prior to the expiry date of their Student visa (that is, on or before 15 March), they must obtain a further non-OSHC health insurance policy immediately…”
What does this mean in practice?
OSHC is only valid at the time of application if you’re still on a Student visa. It won’t satisfy the ongoing requirement once your Student visa ends.
The “switch point” is either:
the day your Bridging Visa A comes into effect (usually the day after your Student visa ends), or
the date your 485 visa is granted if that happens while you’re still holding a Student visa.
Evidence matters. Case officers may contact you before decision to confirm that you have OVHC lined up from the correct date. Uploading proof early avoids delays.
In other words, the Department expects you to be proactive. Don’t just show cover for today—demonstrate that you’ll have continuous, adequate cover into the future.
What evidence to upload
To keep your application decision ready (and avoid extra requests), upload:
Proof of current OSHC (for the day you lodge).
OVHC policy certificate showing the start date aligned with either:
The day after your Student visa end date (expected BVA start), or
The 485 grant date (if the grant occurs before your Student visa expires).
Tip: Ask your insurer to note both scenarios on a letter or allow you to bring the start date forward to the grant date if needed.
Common mistakes that delay 485 decisions
Relying on OSHC after the Student visa ends. Once you’re on a BVA, OSHC usually isn’t accepted.
No future dated OVHC evidence. Case officers may pause your case while they ask for proof you’ll be covered at decision time.
Picking the wrong OVHC tier. Choose a 485-appropriate policy (many insurers label it as “visitor” or “graduate” cover).
Gaps in cover. Even a one day gap between Student visa expiry and OVHC start can cause problems.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I lodge my 485 now using OSHC?
A: If you’re still on a Student visa, yes. Upload OSHC for lodgement and line up OVHC for when your Student visa ends (or for grant day, if earlier).
Q: My OSHC is paid a month beyond my Student visa end date. Is that enough?
A: No. Once your Student visa ceases, you should hold OVHC not OSHC while awaiting the 485 decision.
Q: What if my 485 is granted while I still hold a Student visa?
A: Switch to OVHC immediately on the grant date. Your OSHC won’t satisfy 485 conditions after grant.
Q: What if I’m unsure when my BVA will start?
A: By default, it starts the day after your Student visa expires. Set your OVHC start date accordingly, with flexibility to bring it forward if your 485 is granted earlier.
A note on tax
Neither OSHC nor OVHC qualifies for the private health insurance rebate in Australia. This means you cannot claim a tax offset for these policies and you do not need to complete the private health insurance section of your Australian tax return. OVHC is there to meet your visa obligations and safeguard your health, but it does not provide a tax benefit. If your looking for financial advice, we recommend speaking to the a Financial Adviser in Perth.