870 Visa Health Insurance Guide
A practical guide to health insurance for parents applying for or holding Australia’s Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 870 — including Visa Condition 8501, cover start dates, waiting periods, excesses and how to compare policies.
Why health insurance matters for the 870 visa
The subclass 870 is a temporary visa for sponsored parents. Health insurance is important because visa holders may be required to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
Before purchasing a policy, check the conditions attached to the visa and make sure the selected cover is appropriate for the required period.
What does Condition 8501 mean?
Read our full Visa Condition 8501 guide →
Condition 8501 requires the visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia. For an 870 visa holder, the important practical step is to choose appropriate overseas visitor health cover and maintain the required cover for the relevant period.
Check your visa
Confirm the conditions attached to the visa grant or application requirements.
Choose suitable cover
Compare policies intended for overseas visitors and the applicable visa requirements.
Maintain the cover
Avoid unintended gaps in cover while the insurance requirement applies.
What should parents compare?
Monthly premium
Some 870 visitor premiums change significantly with age, so compare using the parent’s actual age.
Hospital excess
Check the amount you may need to contribute when an eligible hospital admission occurs.
Hospital benefits
Review included and excluded hospital services rather than assuming all policies are identical.
GP & outpatient cover
Hospital-only options may not include routine GP visits or diagnostic services outside hospital.
Waiting periods
Pre-existing conditions and other services can have waiting periods before benefits become payable.
Policy exclusions
Read the insurer’s current policy documents for exclusions, limits and benefit conditions.
Pre-existing conditions & waiting periods
Visitor health insurance can apply waiting periods before benefits are payable for certain treatments. A common example is treatment relating to a pre-existing condition.
A waiting period does not necessarily mean a condition can never be covered. It means benefits may not be payable until the applicable waiting period has been served, subject to the insurer’s definitions and policy terms.
When should 870 health insurance start?
The appropriate commencement date depends on the visa and the parent’s circumstances. The policy should not leave an unintended gap during a period when adequate health insurance must be maintained. Some insurer products can also have commencement rules or lead times.
Compare the three providers on this website
870 Visa Health Insurance FAQs
Do I need health insurance for a subclass 870 visa?+
Health insurance requirements depend on the visa conditions and circumstances. If Condition 8501 applies, the visa holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
What is Visa Condition 8501?+
Condition 8501 is a requirement to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
Which insurers are compared on this website?+
This website currently compares selected 870 visitor health cover options from Allianz Care, Medibank and Bupa.
Does the cheapest policy always provide the best value?+
No. Compare the premium together with hospital excess, waiting periods, exclusions, hospital benefits and any GP or out-of-hospital benefits you may need.
Does age affect the price of 870 health insurance?+
It can. The Medibank and Bupa pricing used by our comparison is age-based, while the Allianz single-parent price displayed by our tool is fixed across the eligible ages used in the comparison.
What is a hospital excess?+
A hospital excess is an amount you may need to contribute when you are admitted to hospital for eligible treatment, subject to the insurer’s policy rules.
Are pre-existing conditions covered immediately?+
Often not. Waiting periods can apply to treatment relating to pre-existing conditions. Check the insurer’s current definitions and policy terms.
Does every 870 policy include GP visits?+
No. Some visitor policies are primarily hospital cover, while other options include selected out-of-hospital medical benefits.
Can I buy insurance for two parents?+
Yes, depending on insurer eligibility and product structure. Our comparison tool allows you to enter a second parent and shows indicative pricing for the options compared.
Can I change insurers later?+
It may be possible, but check commencement dates, waiting-period rules, cancellation arrangements and the need to avoid a gap in required cover before changing policies.
When should the policy start?+
Choose a start date that meets the relevant visa insurance requirement and avoids an unintended gap in cover. Insurer commencement rules can also apply.
Are the prices on this website final?+
No. Prices displayed are indicative comparison information. The insurer confirms the final premium, eligibility and policy terms before purchase.
Ready to compare cover for your parent?
Enter the parent’s age and intended start date to see indicative prices from the three providers we compare.