Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
#1
finally in melbourne
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 180
Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
we are going on a 457 visa and was wondering which of the above do i need to take out as they are very different. Could i get away with the private health cover as it is cheaper than the visitors cover, which covers people on 457's.
My employer put in a clause in my job offer letter that i needed to provide my own health cover and they wanted to see proof of this before i start!
My employer put in a clause in my job offer letter that i needed to provide my own health cover and they wanted to see proof of this before i start!
#2
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
we are going on a 457 visa and was wondering which of the above do i need to take out as they are very different. Could i get away with the private health cover as it is cheaper than the visitors cover, which covers people on 457's.
My employer put in a clause in my job offer letter that i needed to provide my own health cover and they wanted to see proof of this before i start!
My employer put in a clause in my job offer letter that i needed to provide my own health cover and they wanted to see proof of this before i start!
#3
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
On a 457 we are classed as Visitors - certainly by our health cover provider, Medibank.
#5
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
So even though I have a permanent job and normal life I still need to pay so much more for insurance than everyone else.
Maybe because they expect me to be doing touristy activites such as rock climbing and crocodile chasing!? God knows.
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire
Posts: 170
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Also be aware that having visitors cover does not exempt you from the 1% medicare surcharge if you earn over a certain threshhold. It would seem that visitors cover is designed for visitors who do not have a reciprocal agreement (I guess like visitors from the US) and this the reason it is so expensive. As far as I could see it just wasn't worth paying for it and so I cancelled mine but kept the extras cover for dental etc which probably was worth having.
#7
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Also be aware that having visitors cover does not exempt you from the 1% medicare surcharge if you earn over a certain threshhold. It would seem that visitors cover is designed for visitors who do not have a reciprocal agreement (I guess like visitors from the US) and this the reason it is so expensive. As far as I could see it just wasn't worth paying for it and so I cancelled mine but kept the extras cover for dental etc which probably was worth having.
Last edited by oliver1982; Oct 27th 2008 at 7:19 am.
#8
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Even if your temporary visa is for one million years you are still classed as a visitor as far as medicare are concerned. Same goes for credit cards etc.
So even though I have a permanent job and normal life I still need to pay so much more for insurance than everyone else.
Maybe because they expect me to be doing touristy activites such as rock climbing and crocodile chasing!? God knows.
So even though I have a permanent job and normal life I still need to pay so much more for insurance than everyone else.
Maybe because they expect me to be doing touristy activites such as rock climbing and crocodile chasing!? God knows.
#9
finally in melbourne
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 180
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
so i guess the general consensus is get tourist cover. was hoping that wasn't the case.......damn ozzy's!
#10
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
I am getting a bit confused or what...
I was 100% sure that because of reciprocal agreement between UK and OZ, I'd be covered for the worst case scenarios.
My understanding of the condition put by employers for employees to get a medical is there just to cover themselves as they need to by law. Instead of getting the cover for the employee, the employer just passes the buck to the employee.
But, in reality ??, the employer couldn't care less...
Maybe someone can explain or confirm this...
#11
finally in melbourne
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 180
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Hi Di
I am getting a bit confused or what...
I was 100% sure that because of reciprocal agreement between UK and OZ, I'd be covered for the worst case scenarios.
My understanding of the condition put by employers for employees to get a medical is there just to cover themselves as they need to by law. Instead of getting the cover for the employee, the employer just passes the buck to the employee.
But, in reality ??, the employer couldn't care less...
Maybe someone can explain or confirm this...
I am getting a bit confused or what...
I was 100% sure that because of reciprocal agreement between UK and OZ, I'd be covered for the worst case scenarios.
My understanding of the condition put by employers for employees to get a medical is there just to cover themselves as they need to by law. Instead of getting the cover for the employee, the employer just passes the buck to the employee.
But, in reality ??, the employer couldn't care less...
Maybe someone can explain or confirm this...
With regards to the employer i'm not sure how the land lays.
i was just wondering if i did get health insurance instead of tourist cover, would anyone notice or how would anyone find out anyway?
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Hi Di
I am getting a bit confused or what...
I was 100% sure that because of reciprocal agreement between UK and OZ, I'd be covered for the worst case scenarios.
My understanding of the condition put by employers for employees to get a medical is there just to cover themselves as they need to by law. Instead of getting the cover for the employee, the employer just passes the buck to the employee.
But, in reality ??, the employer couldn't care less...
Maybe someone can explain or confirm this...
I am getting a bit confused or what...
I was 100% sure that because of reciprocal agreement between UK and OZ, I'd be covered for the worst case scenarios.
My understanding of the condition put by employers for employees to get a medical is there just to cover themselves as they need to by law. Instead of getting the cover for the employee, the employer just passes the buck to the employee.
But, in reality ??, the employer couldn't care less...
Maybe someone can explain or confirm this...
#13
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Even if your temporary visa is for one million years you are still classed as a visitor as far as medicare are concerned. Same goes for credit cards etc.
So even though I have a permanent job and normal life I still need to pay so much more for insurance than everyone else.
Maybe because they expect me to be doing touristy activites such as rock climbing and crocodile chasing!? God knows.
So even though I have a permanent job and normal life I still need to pay so much more for insurance than everyone else.
Maybe because they expect me to be doing touristy activites such as rock climbing and crocodile chasing!? God knows.
Most on a 457 are eligible for the LAFHA which usually translates to a chunka cash several times more than what you would have to pay over the year in a private health cover premium.
Plus, look on the bright side....you don't have to pay any medicare levy surcharge....as you don't get Medicare !
#14
finally in melbourne
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 180
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
Swings and roundabouts though, right ?
Most on a 457 are eligible for the LAFHA which usually translates to a chunka cash several times more than what you would have to pay over the year in a private health cover premium.
Plus, look on the bright side....you don't have to pay any medicare levy surcharge....as you don't get Medicare !
Most on a 457 are eligible for the LAFHA which usually translates to a chunka cash several times more than what you would have to pay over the year in a private health cover premium.
Plus, look on the bright side....you don't have to pay any medicare levy surcharge....as you don't get Medicare !
#15
Re: Private health cover OR Visitor's cover?
The MIL is coming to visit for 3 months. Because of her age, to get the visa we had to get health cover for her. It cost about $300 for 3 months and she is 75.