Being nominated by an Australian employer to fill a vacant spot can be a turning point in your life as a skilled worker. With new and diverse opportunities laid out in front of you, starting afresh in a new country is exciting. But, it comes with a lot of work to do before and even after arrival. With great power comes great responsibility, and with great opportunities come great challenges. However, with the right approach, these challenges feel like new adventures you can sail through easily. Let’s start by discussing the very first step to take after you’ve been nominated by an Australian employer.

Before you lodge your 482 visa application, you need to get an Overseas Visitor Health Cover mandatorily. Naturally, you might think, why do you need to get the OVHC before getting a visa approval? Well, it is so because you need to extend a proof (usually the policy certificate) of having adequate health cover to get your visa approved. In short, OVHC is a part of the document checklist required to lodge your visa application.

Choosing The Right Plan
There are multiple players in the insurance space who provide affordable insurance policies. Filtering out the best option and finally picking the best of the best is a real challenge. Probably one of the initial challenges you’d have to deal with. Let’s work through it together!

Before you choose a provider/plan, consider factors like coverage, waiting periods, out-of-pocket costs, cost and premiums, claims, etc.

Assess the plan to check whether it provides the level of coverage needed by you.
Some plans have waiting periods for certain treatments. So, you might have to wait before making claims. Read through any such clauses in advance.

The policy you choose should comply with your visa requirements.

Some services aren’t covered, and you might have to pay out of pocket for the same.
Enquire about the network healthcare providers, like hospitals and doctors, associated with the policy. If your provider is associated with top healthcare service providers, it ensures you get easy access to the best care when needed.
Reviews from previous customers can help you get a clear idea of the insurer's service quality.
You should also consider potential out-of-pocket expenses and exclusions for premium plans.
The policy you choose should allow you to flexibly upgrade or switch covers, and even change providers if needed.
The claims process should be easy and swift.

Look for a policy that covers your pre-existing conditions, if any.
Check for coverage of doctor visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic services in your basic plan.
It'll be a cherry on top if the policy includes ambulance cover for emergency transport.
If you need services like dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc., an extras cover will be a better fit.

As much as you would want to be mindful of your budget and get the Cheapest health insurance in Australia, it is never wise to compromise with your cover. It is natural to resort to the cheapest option, thinking it is just to comply with the visa requirements. However, you need to look beyond this. The cover you’ll buy is not just another document; rather, it serves a purpose.

Given the fact that 482 visa holders are not eligible to access Australian Medicare services, healthcare in Australia can punch a hole in your pocket. OVHC Australia is designed to save you from such situations. Therefore, while you should have a budget set, it should not come in the way of the protection provided by the cover.

Walking Through The Pool of Providers
Now comes the final drill! There are so many providers, who do I trust? Well, there’s a simple, one-word answer to this - Compare! Yes, you read that right. Compare similar plans offered by different providers. Budget Policy makes this easy for you. Just fill in some details, and you’ll get quotes for plans that comply with your visa. You’ll be able to compare plans from top providers - AHM OVHC, Medibank OVHC, NIB OVHC, Bupa OVHC, AIA OVHC, Allianz Care, all under one roof. This will help you see minor differences that make a major impact. You’ll then be able to pick the one that fits your needs the best.
Since all of these providers are top-registered providers, they are reliable. However, since individual needs vary, Budget Policy’s comparison tool helps you find the OVHC plan that is the best fit for you.