Some temporary visa holders need private health insurance in Australia.
This article will explain private health insurance in Australia for gay and bisexual men on a visa. We will also talk about the cost of health insurance and where to find it. We will discuss how to access sexual health for gay and bisexual men using your insurance.
This is general information about health insurance. The insurance you need depends on your visa type and personal situation.
For information about the health system in different languages, visit the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service. It is available in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Khmer, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.
What is health insurance in Australia?
Health insurance helps you pay for medical care while living in Australia.
Some visas let you have a Medicare card. Medicare helps pay for some medical care, for example, a blood test. Check if you can get Medicare here.
If you cannot get Medicare, you will need private health insurance. You have to pay for private health insurance.
What does it cover?
There are types of insurance that cover different medical services. Your insurance may help pay for:
- visits to the hospital
- visits to your doctor
- some medications.
Where to get private health insurance?
Many companies in Australia offer private health policies.
Make sure you check what is covered in your policy. This will help you pay for some medical treatment and hospital care. It may cover some medications such as PrEP. Also, check if the insurance meets the needs of your visa.
There are two types of insurance for temporary visa holders. You can click on the links to get more information and insurance plans:
How much is private health insurance in Australia?
The cost of insurance changes based on what medical services it covers.
Basic plans cost around $600 per year. If you want more cover, for example, to see a dentist, this may cost more.
You may have to pay for your appointments and submit a bill to your insurance fund, after which they may refund the cost.
Out-of-pocket costs
You have to pay a small amount for some special medical treatments. This is called an ‘out-of-pocket cost’ or ‘gap payment’.
For example, if you need an X-ray, you may have to pay a small part of the cost.
Waiting periods
When you start your insurance, you may have to wait some time before you can get medical treatment. This time is a ‘waiting period’ and begins at around 2 months.
If you already have a medical condition, there might also be a waiting period for this treatment. HIV is considered an existing medical condition. People living with HIV can still get health insurance in Australia. You don’t have to say your HIV status when applying for insurance. Waiting periods may apply for hospital treatments related to HIV.
HIV treatment is free at most public hospital pharmacies and some sexual health centres without insurance.
Sexual health for gay and bisexual men on visas
Your insurance may cover HIV or other Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) tests from your doctor. These are separate tests; remember to ask for both. You can also get a PrEP prescription from your doctor to protect yourself from HIV when having sex.
Condoms are another cheap and easy way to prevent HIV and STIs. They are available at supermarkets and pharmacies. You don’t need insurance or Medicare. Make sure you use a HIV prevention method every time you have sex. Talk to your partner about what HIV prevention you will both use before sex.
You can get tested for HIV and STIs at most sexual health services for free. You do not need a Medicare card or health insurance. They also have free condoms and lubricant to protect from HIV and STIs.
For more information about HIV prevention in Australia, please read our article.
The Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service has translated information on the Health System in Australia. It is available in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Khmer, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.