OVHC for 485 Graduate visa: your complete guide 2026

The 485 Temporary Graduate visa is the bridge between your student life and your career in Australia. You’ve finished your degree, your OSHC is about to expire (or already has), and condition 8501 now applies. Here’s everything you need to get OVHC sorted.

OSHC → OVHC: the switch explained

Your Overseas Student Health Cover was designed for students on the 500 visa. Once your 485 is granted, you are no longer a student — you need OVHC. Here’s the critical distinction:

• OSHC = for 500 student visa holders only
• OVHC = for everyone else on temporary visas (485, 482, 417, 462, 600, bridging)

Even if your OSHC hasn’t expired yet, you need OVHC from the day your 485 takes effect.

Which OVHC tier suits a graduate?

Most 485 holders are under 35, generally healthy, and budget-conscious. Here’s the breakdown:

• Budget tier (~$80-100/month): Meets 8501 minimum. Public hospital only. You get basic GP and ambulance. Best if you’re healthy and rarely see a doctor.
• Mid tier (~$120-150/month): Private hospital, dental check-ups, optical, physio. The sweet spot — affordable enough for a graduate but much better cover if something goes wrong.
• Comprehensive (~$190-220/month): Full extras. Only worth it if you have ongoing health needs, wear glasses/contacts, or need regular physio.

Best insurers for 485 holders (2026)

• ahm: Cheapest budget tier, simple online signup, quick certificate
• nib: Single straightforward tier, good app, easy switching from OSHC
• Bupa: Mid tier with dental and optical — good value if you use extras
• Allianz Care: Budget tier with better hospital access than ahm/nib

Adding a partner to your OVHC

If you included your partner on your 485 application, they also need OVHC. You can either:

1. Buy couples cover — one policy covering both of you. Usually slightly less than two singles.
2. Buy two single policies — each person has their own. More flexible if you separate or if you have different health needs.

Couples cover typically costs $180-300/month total (both people), depending on tier and insurer.

What about Medicare?

Most 485 holders are not eligible for Medicare unless you’re from an RHCA country (UK, Ireland, NZ, etc.). Even if you are eligible, RHCA Medicare is partial — it covers medically necessary treatment in public hospitals but not ambulance, dental, or optical. Most RHCA-eligible graduates still hold a budget OVHC for the extras and ambulance cover.

FAQ

Can I buy OVHC month-to-month? Yes — most insurers offer monthly payment. Paying annually sometimes gives a small discount (~5%).

What happens when my 485 expires? If you move to another visa (e.g., 482, partner visa, or PR), you’ll need to switch to the appropriate health cover. If you leave Australia, you can cancel your OVHC and may receive a refund for unused months.

Does OVHC cover pregnancy? Yes — but with a 12-month waiting period. If you’re already pregnant when you buy the policy, pregnancy is treated as a pre-existing condition and is not covered.

---

Sources: Department of Home Affairs, visa condition 8501; insurer PDS documents (2026).