Health insurance for Work and Holiday in Australia
You are going to Australia for a year on a Work and Holiday visa. You are going to work, travel, surf, maybe pick fruit on a farm. And during all that time, Australian healthcare does not cover you.
A year is a long time to go without a safety net. Here are the two options we worked on, depending on where you are coming from, with a discount for booking through us.
Medicare does not cover you
Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with eleven countries, and neither Spain nor any Latin American country is on that list. As the holder of a temporary visa, you pay in full for any medical attention.
A hospital night costs thousands of dollars. An ambulance, hundreds. An Australian salary covers it, but it's money you'd rather spend on something else.
Is it mandatory?
Let's be honest, because there are a lot of insurance websites that say the opposite just to sell more.
Condition 8501, which mandates maintaining health insurance, It does not apply automatically to subclasses 417 and 462. It may apply depending on your specific case, so check your grant letter or check it in VEVO.
That said: mandatory or not, going a whole year without coverage in a country where an emergency costs what it costs is a gamble that isn't worth it. Especially if you are going to work on farms, in construction, or in the hospitality industry, where workplace accidents are quite a bit more frequent.
Your insurance depends on where you come from
We work with two different insurance companies because each has different residency requirements. See which one applies to you:
The discount is for signing up from here
The links on this page carry our agency code. If you go directly to the insurer's website, you pay the full price.
And we don't charge you anything for advising you: if you aren't sure which one suits you best or you have a particular situation, write to us before signing up.
Five things before hiring
It covers from the day you leave home
Not since you land. Layovers and unexpected travel events count too.
If you are going to do the 88 days, say so
Agricultural and construction work carry a higher risk of accidents, and some policies treat them separately. Confirm this before signing.
Adventure sports usually go separately
Surfing, diving, climbing, bungee jumping, skiing. If you are going to Australia and don't plan on doing any of them, congratulations, but check the fine print anyway.
Pre-existing conditions must be declared
If you have a diagnosed condition, declare it when you sign up. Concealing it could leave you without coverage right when you need it.
If you stay longer, it renews
If you get the second-year visa, you can extend the policy from Australia. There is no need to go home or sign up from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance mandatory with a Working Holiday visa?
Condition 8501 is not automatically applied to subclasses 417 and 462, but it may be imposed depending on your case: check your grant letter or VEVO. Aside from the legal obligation, without insurance you assume the full cost of any treatment for a whole year.
Can I use Medicare if I am Spanish or Latin American?
No. Australia only has reciprocal healthcare agreements with eleven countries, and neither Spain nor any Latin American country is on that list. Without private insurance, you pay the full cost of any medical care.
Which one should I choose, Chapka or IATI?
It depends on where you live. Chapka requires residency in Spain, the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Monaco, or Andorra. If you live in Latin America, your option is IATI. If you have dual residency or a special situation, write to us and we'll check it out.
Can I hire you while I am already in Australia?
It is usual to purchase it before leaving, and that is what we recommend. If you are already there without coverage, write to us and we will see what options you have depending on your case.
What if I get the second year of the visa?
You can renew the policy from Australia without returning to your country. Do it before the previous one expires: not a single day without coverage.
Are you going on a student visa or a tourist visa? They have different requirements. Check our guide health insurance for Australia and choose the one that corresponds to you.