Most visitors to Australia that arrive on the 457 Visa will be required to have a special medical insurance plan set up as a condition of that visa.

You can get an idea of the cost of this medical insurance at a number of Health Insurance companies in Australia, some of which are listed below.

There are also a couple of companies that help you to select the best insurer, from their selected panel. They do not charge for this service, as they are paid by the Health Insurer, in the same way that an Insurance Broker operates.

These include:

• i-Select.com.au compares health insurance policies from participating health funds.

You may be able to apply for an exemption from the 457 health insurance visa requirements if you are covered by a reciprocal health care agreement and you have enrolled in Medicare, the Australian public health care system.

More reading:

• www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-health-insurance-faq-visa-holder.htm
• www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/overseas/ovhc.htm
• www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/overseas/457visa.htm

A list of Insurers that provide suitable cover for 457 Visa Holders:

• Medibank Private
• Bupa Australia incorporating MBF and HBA
• Australian Unity
• Exfin International Pty Ltd
• IMAN Health Funds

The Medibank Top 85 Working Visa Health Insurance includes the following visa sub classes:

• 411 Exchange
• 419 Visiting Academic
• 420 Entertainment
• 422 Medical Practitioner
• 442 Occupational Trainee
• 456 Business Short Stay
• 457 Temporary Business Long Stay
• 470 Professional Development

Monthly Premiums for the minimum cover required, for a single person at April 2013, are:

• $ 79.99 IMAN Australian Health Plans
• $ 86.02 Exfin International
• $ 91.19 BUPA, based on Single, born 1980 and working in QLD.
• $114.15 Medibank
• $143.00 Australian Unity