If you’re a parent being sponsored for a longer-term visit to Australia on an 870 visa, you’ll need to take out an appropriate level of health insurance for the duration of your stay. This helps ensure you can access medical care and manage healthcare costs while you’re in Australia – but it’s important to make sure you’re on the right plan.
870 visa holder health insurance requirements
On an 870 visa, you are required to maintain adequate health insurance for your entire stay in Australia. This insurance must cover hospital treatments, emergency ambulance and certain medications to ensure you can meet medical costs while in the country.
To meet this requirement on an 870 Sponsored Parent visa, you’ll need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) unless you qualify for Medicare through a reciprocal health care agreement. OVHC policies are commonly split into visitor and worker categories, and as an 870 visa holder you’ll generally be offered a visitor OVHC policy.
You should review your OVHC policy carefully to make sure it meets the minimum requirements of condition 8501 of your visa and provides the level of cover you need. This can help avoid unexpected medical expenses during your stay.
It’s also important to keep your health insurance active and up to date throughout your stay. Not maintaining adequate cover could affect your visa status, so staying covered helps you meet your visa obligations and avoid any complications.
How much is health insurance on an 870 visa?
Visitor OVHC policies for 870 visa holders are often priced higher than plans for other visa types, with fewer options to choose from.
As a guide, here’s what a sponsored parent might expect to pay each month for visitor health insurance:
| Provider | Cheapest policy (per month) | Most expensive policy (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz | $164 | $724 |
| Bupa | $207 | $235 |
| Source: Compare Club, January 2026 Price ranges shown include policies with excesses ranging from $0 to $500. Some policies in these ranges include extras cover, which can increase the premium. |
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However, what you’ll pay for OVHC can vary depending on the insurer and the type of cover you choose, whether that’s a basic hospital policy designed to meet minimum visa requirements or a more comprehensive option that includes extras.
Age can also affect pricing on some visitor policies, with premiums increasing as you get older. For example, here’s how the price of Bupa’s Explorer Visitors Cover changes for different age groups:
| Age | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| 35 | $207 |
| 45 | $207 |
| 55 | $207 |
| 60 | $207 |
| 65 | $217 |
| 70 | $269 |
| 75 | $393 |
How do I get health insurance to apply for an 870 visa?
You’ll need to take out cover before you arrive in Australia to ensure you’re covered from day one. However, this can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the local health system.
Savvy can help you compare a range of OVHC plans all in one place tailored to your visa and personal needs, so you’re all set for your arrival in Australia. Getting started is easy:
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Apply through Savvy
Tell us who needs cover, your visa type and the level of cover you’re looking for.
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Connect with an advisor
A health insurance expert will contact you to discuss your options on an 870 visa.
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Take out your policy
Choose your OVHC plan and you’ll be covered for your time in Australia!
