ckgreenall

We are heading to Perth at the beginning of July on a 457. Does anyone know if all insurance companies will only offer one product to 457 migrants. We seem to be being quoted a much higher amount for insurance due to being on a 457. Is this standard practice with all companies?

Antney

Yes, I'm pretty sure this is the case with all health insurance companies. Our monthy premium was over $400 a month when we were on a 457 visa and it drops significantly when you become PR.

Rosscarbery

Apparantly not all health care providers offer cover on a 457, and yes, it is significantly more expensive. We (family of 5 with PR) pay $225 for fairly decent cover, friends of ours (family of 4 on 457) are paying $450 for slightly better cover.

Pommy Dan

A condition of holding a 457 visa is that you must have your own medical insurance to cover medical repatriation in the event that you are incapacitated, can’t work and therefore can’t fulfill your obligation to your 457.

Mine was with HBA for about $190 a month. Very basic cover – scrape you off the road and bundle you into an Aeroplane. Now am on PR, my health insurance costs have more than halved.

Jasonmb

Can anyone recommend any companies who will cover you on a 457?

Thanks
Jason

Kooky.

We've just signed up with Medibank; they do a special scheme for 'Visitors". We're a childless couple and because I have ill-health they advised us to each take out single insurance, i.e., The Geek has the most basic cover and I have the top level.

In total I think it's A$440 a month, and they waived the qualification period even though they initially said we couldn't if we were paying out of pre-tax salary.

Red_V_Roger

We managed to get life insurance on 457 with a broker in Brisbane previously mentioned on here...but I think its much higher than it would be if we could 'shop around' on PR.

For medical insurance...we haven't taken any out...have used Dr/GP services of bulk billing Medicare no problems. Company would pay to send us back to UK if worst happend.

ckgreenall

Thanks people... for us a family of 2 adults in thier 30's and 2 kids under 8 yo $400 per month appears to be the mark.

We have had quotes from both HCF and HBA (Bupa) and they had a specific product for people on a 457. Both products seemed to be very comprehensive.

Cheers,

Chris

tchouk

Hi ckgreenall

It might be worth you knowing that when a company agrees to take on someone on a 457, they are completely responsible for all your healthcare. It is something they have to agree to when they do the visa's. Most employers will ask the employee to take out their own insurance as part of their contract, others will pay for the insurance for you. Recipricol health care is all "necessary' treatment while you are in Oz. All this is on several websites.

Good luck !

ckgreenall

Hi

Thanks for that, we are aware of it and they have made it a condition of employment that we take out health insurance ourselves, which we are happy to do.

tchouk

www.aushealth.com and www.457sponsor.com are also good websites, which might be of some use?

ckgreenall

cheers, the aushealth.com one is very usefull.... thats what we were looking for orignally. price wise of course.

drdan

Beware, the aushealth one is called a health plan not health insurance as explained in their own small print. It is a discretionary product and they pay out only if they decide to, upon unclear criteria.