Do I Need Health Insurance While My Partner Visa Is Processed?

Do partner visa applicants have to hold health insurance?

Partner visa applicants do not have to hold health insurance as a criterion of the partner visa. The Department assesses the relationship, the sponsor, health examinations and character, and private health cover is not one of the criteria. That does not mean insurance is unimportant. Medical costs in Australia can be high for people without Medicare, and couples should plan for that during processing. Our article on partner visa conditions explains which conditions do apply.

Does my current visa still require health insurance after I lodge?

A current visa that requires health insurance still requires it after a partner visa is lodged, for as long as that visa remains in effect. Student visa holders and some temporary work visa holders, for example, hold visas with a health insurance condition. Cancelling cover too early can breach the condition and put the current visa at risk. Once the current visa ends and the bridging visa takes over, the bridging visa's own conditions apply. Our article on the partner visa bridging visa explains when the bridging visa comes into effect.

Can I get Medicare while my partner visa is processed?

Many onshore partner visa applicants can get Medicare while the partner visa is processed, because the combined Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 application includes an application for a permanent visa. Eligibility is decided by Services Australia, not the Department, and depends on the applicant's circumstances and documents. Applicants should check eligibility soon after lodgement. Our article on partner visa Medicare explains how enrolment works.

What about offshore Subclass 309 applicants visiting Australia?

An offshore Subclass 309 applicant who visits Australia during processing does so on a separate visa, usually a visitor visa, and any health insurance condition on that visa applies. Offshore applicants are generally not eligible for Medicare simply because a Subclass 309 application is pending, so travel insurance or visitor health cover is often sensible for the visit. Our article on the offshore partner visa explains the offshore pathway.

Is health insurance the same as the partner visa health requirement?

Health insurance is not the same as the partner visa health requirement. The health requirement is met through health examinations arranged through the Department, and it looks at whether the applicant has a condition that would result in significant cost or prejudice access to care. Holding insurance does not satisfy that test, and a health waiver may be available for some applicants who do not meet it. Our articles on partner visa health requirements and the partner visa medical examination explain the test.

How does My Migration Lawyers advise couples on health cover during processing?

My Migration Lawyers checks the conditions on the applicant's current visa before lodgement, so a couple knows whether insurance must be kept and until when, and explains when the bridging visa will take over. Where the applicant has a known medical condition, the firm also looks ahead to the health examinations and any waiver issue rather than treating insurance as the answer. Couples can read about the Subclass 820 visa or speak with our partner visa lawyers before changing their cover.