Private healthcare in Australia for foreigners (UK expats)

Australia is a hot destination for expats from the UK – both literally and figuratively. And it’s no surprise. According to the Human Development Index (HDI), Australia ranks 10th in the world for quality of life in 2024.¹ The winning combination of a warm climate, a relaxed lifestyle and a great job market make it an attractive country.

Let’s take a closer look at the Australian healthcare system, the differences between private and public healthcare and more. We’ll also cover some of the best private healthcare providers, their healthcare policies for expats and the fees.

And, if you need to manage your money in Australia, back in the UK and internationally, check out the Wise account from the money services provider Wise.

It lets you spend, hold and convert money in 40+ currencies and make secure transfers to 160+ countries for low fees* and great mid-market exchange rates. Every transfer is trackable and you’ll get dedicated support when making large amount transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Request a call back when sending large amounts 📞

Table of contents

Do you need private healthcare cover in Australia as a foreigner? UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement Is private healthcare good in Australia? Differences between Australia's public and private healthcare Best private health insurance providers for expats in Australia HBF HCF Cigna How much does private healthcare cost in Australia? How to get private healthcare as a foreigner in Australia?

Do you need private healthcare cover in Australia as a foreigner?

Whether you’re moving to Australia from the UK, buying property in Australia or even starting a business there, having healthcare cover is essential.

While Australia arguably has great public healthcare – called Medicare – about 50% of Australians have private health insurance. The government encourages well-off people to use private healthcare. This is so that there’s less pressure on the public system and more people can access medical care on time.

It’s also good to know that if you’re a high earner and don’t have private coverage, you will have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS).²

Singles need to have private patient hospital cover with an excess of $750 (about £390) or less to avoid the charge. Couples and families need to have an excess of $1,500 (about £780)or less.³

You can learn more about MLS and its thresholds and rates on the Australian Taxation Office’s dedicated page.

UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement

While Australian visas generally require people to have bought health insurance coverage, you may be able to do without, depending on your situation. As a UK citizen you can get essential and urgent medical care through Medicare thanks to the UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement.

Urgent hospital treatment is free, but you’ll have to pay when you’re visiting a GP to receive a prescription, get dental treatment, are treated in a doctor’s surgery or need an ambulance. Medicare may cover some medication costs though. ⁴ ⁵

In general, healthcare costs can be very high and many things aren’t covered, so having supplemental private health insurance can be a good idea.

Is private healthcare good in Australia?

Just as Australian healthcare is excellent in general, the private healthcare down under is also top-notch.

Differences between Australia's public and private healthcare

Private health insurance is great for covering services that Medicare doesn’t. For example, dental and optical care. You’ll also get faster access to specialists and elective surgeries and a wider range of doctors to choose from.

In private hospitals, you’ll also have additional services and amenities available, such as private rooms, personalised care and access to advanced medical technologies. ⁶

Best private health insurance providers for expats in Australia

We’ve gathered some of the best insurance providers in Australia:

• HBF
• HCF
• Cigna

Whether they are the best choice for you depends on your unique needs so let’s have a quick look at what each of these providers cover.

While we can give you a general overview of each provider, health insurance policies are complicated and each should be carefully considered.

HBF

HBF⁷ has four overseas visitors health cover (OVHC) plans to choose from. You can either get their visiting or travel package, or working or workplace training package. The latter two meet visa condition 8501 – the requirement to purchase health insurance before traveling to Australia.

Working or workplace training health cover

Budget-friendly Working Visa Hospital cover & Flex 50 starts from $29.50 (about £15) per week and covers most common working visas and has a flexible extras cover. You’ll get cover for a large selection of hospital treatments and services including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer, heart and vascular system and pregnancy and birth.

You can get 50% or more back at the provider of your choice and a $800 (about £416) combined annual limit to use for services of your choice.

And, suppose you decide to upgrade to Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover & Complete 60 which starts from $62.15 (about £32) per week. In that case, you’ll also get medical cover (such as consultations with a general practitioner) and cover for all extras. You can also get 60% or more back at the provider of your choice.

Visiting or travel health cover

Standard Overseas Visitors cover & Basic Extras starts from $43.70 (about £22) per week and the Standard Overseas Visitors cover & Flex 50 starts from $48.20 (about £25) per week. Both come with cover for essential hospital services and cover for medical services such as a general practitioner consultation.

The standard package covers 7 extras like general dental and optical services.

The flexible package gives you a wider range of extras, 50% or more back at the provider of your choice and $800 (about £416) combined annual limit to use for services of your choice.

HBF health members also get access to other health services and discounts such as health coaching over the phone, other free health programs, fully covered flu vaccination and discounts on gym membership and workout clothing.

HCF

HCF⁸ lets you get a highly personalised quote directly on their website. You can choose your visa type, your location, fill in your personal details and you’ll be given a few different options to choose from.

For a Work and Holiday Visa for a 25-year-old, we found three plans:

• Short Stay starting from $12.77 (about £7) per week
• Essentials starting from $29.10 (about £15) per week
• Essentials Plus starting from $46.88 (about £24) per week.

These plans don’t meet the visa health insurance requirements for condition 8501.

All packages cover:

• Hospital accommodation operating theater and prosthesis fees.
• Doctors' fees in and out of the hospital.
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines required while in hospital or on discharge.
• Ambulance cover in case of an emergency and emergency department fees for up to $200 (about £104).
• Lower out-of-pocket costs in HCF’s extensive provider network.

Essentials and Essentials Plus also cover out of hospital PBS medications (up to $250 per year and up to $300 (about £156) per year) and there is no waiting period for hospital services unless it's a pre-existing condition.

For a Skills in Demand Visa for a 25-year-old we found 4 plans which range from $17.15 (about £9) per week to $68.05 (about £35.39) per week. All of these packages are compliant with visa condition 8501.

The more expensive packages include diagnostic services and cover for dental, optical and physiotherapy as well as Chinese herbal medicine consultations. Repatriation and funeral cover are also included.

Cigna

Cigna⁹ is a global health care provider offering comprehensive coverage for people living international lives.

Cigna’s most affordable package named Close Care ensures you have a semi-private room in a hospital, full cancer care and an overall benefit limit of £325,000 and a condition limit of £165,000.

The Silver package covers inpatient, day patient and accommodation costs in a private room. The overall benefit limit is higher and mental and behavioral health care is covered for up to £3,325 annually.

Gold and Platinum packages have even higher benefit limits and include maternity cover. Platinum has no cap on mental and behavioural health care over, maternity cover and overall annual benefit.

How much does private healthcare cost in Australia?

The prices we have listed below are indicative. You will receive a tailored quote from health insurance providers and the fee depends on your location, age, health and more.

Paying for your insurance by direct debit may often be the simplest and cheapest method, so you may consider opening a bank account in Australia.

Provider	Fees
HBF⁷	Starting from $43.70 (about £22) per week (Standard Oversear Visitors cover & Basic Extras plan) Starting from $48.20 (about £25) per week (Standard Overseas Visitors cover & Flex 50) Starting from $29.05 (about £15) per week (Working Visa Hospital cover & Flex 50 plan, meets visa condition 8501) Starting from $62.15 (about £32) per week (Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover & Complete 60 plan, meets visa condition 8501)
HCF⁸	Skilled Worker Visa packages (meet visa condition 8501): Basic – Starting from $17.15 (about £9) per week Mid – starting from $23.90 (about £12) per week Top – starting from $32.80 (about £17) per week Top Plus – starting from $68.05 (about £35) per week Work and Holiday Visa packages: Short stay – starting from $12.77 (about £7) per week Essentials – starting from $29.10 (about £15) per week Essentials Plus – starting from $46.58 (about £24) per week
Cigna⁹	Worldwide coverage excluding USA: Close Care – about £84.14 per month (roughly £19 per week) Silver – about £106.97 per month (roughly £25 per week) Gold – about £144.95 per month (roughly £34 per week) Platinum – about £191.64 per month (roughly £45 per week) If you pay quarterly there is a 3% discount and for yearly payments there is a 10% discount.

Whether you’re paying for private health insurance or covering living costs in Australia and internationally, the Wise account could be a perfect fit for managing your money in multiple currencies. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

You can manage your money in 40+ currencies and make transfers to 160+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

There are no hidden fees or sneaky exchange rate markups to worry about, and you’ll always know how much your transfer costs upfront. And, to make things even smoother, you’ll also get dedicated support when making large amount transfers with Wise.

Wise uses sophisticated security measures to keep your money safe. This includes 2-factor authentication, a dedicated anti-fraud team and your money safeguarded with leading banks.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

How to get private healthcare as a foreigner in Australia?

Once you’ve figured out what kind of cover you need for your specific visa, it’s time to get your private healthcare.

Here’s a brief step-by-step overview of getting private healthcare as a foreigner in Australia:

1. Look for different providers - get quotes from different providers and look at what areas each provider focuses on.
2. Compare healthcare policies - compare the different policies in detail. Get an accurate sense of what they cover and what they don’t. Choose a package that matches your needs the best.
3. Complete your purchase - once you’ve locked in your policy you can sign the contract with the provider online and pay.

---

Getting private healthcare in Australia is a great idea and it’s actively encouraged by the local government. With a wide range of options available, you are bound to fine one that fits your needs and wallet.

---

Sources used:

1. Human Development Reports - Country Insights
2. Australian Taxation Office - Paying the Medicare levy surcharge |
3. Australian Taxation Office - Appropriate level of private patient hospital cover
4. GOV.UK - Health - Australia travel advice
5. GOV.UK - UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries
6. TEGO - Public vs. Private Hospitals in Australia: Understanding the Differences
7. HBF - Overseas visitors health cover (OVHC)
8. HCF - Overseas Visitors Cover
9. Cigna - International health insurance quote

Sources last checked on date: 17-06-2024