Trusted cover for doctors and medical professionals practicing in Australia. Available only to individuals residing in Australia.
Switch to OVHC cover by the fund made for doctors and the medical community, designed to meet visa condition 8501 or to complement Medicare benefits for those eligible under Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.
Doctors’ Health Fund, part of Avant Mutual, is proud to offer Overseas Visitors Health Cover for workers. Enjoy peace of mind with cover that can help protect you from unexpected medical costs.
Choose from three Overseas Visitors Health Cover options that include repatriation, ambulance, and inpatient hospital care. Plus, our tailored Extras product to help you save on everyday healthcare essentials like dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Not sure which cover is right for you? Read on to learn more or speak to our expert team today to find the best option for your needs on 1800 226 126.
Affordable hospital cover for inpatient services in private or public hospitals (including medical fees and hospital expenses), ambulance cover and repatriation benefits.
Mid-level hospital cover for inpatient services (medical fees and hospital expenses), outpatient services (including GP visits, specialist consultations, pregnancy and birth), ambulance cover and repatriation benefits.
Comprehensive overseas workers cover which pays the medical benefit based on the AMA* list of medical services and fees.
Mid-level extras cover with a substantial list of benefits, including generous dental and optical cover. This product does not satisfy visa condition 8501.
*All our hospital products comply with visa condition 8501
Depending on the level of cover, medical benefits are paid according to the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) or the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) list of fees and services.
We offer 3 levels of cover, 2 with benefits for services like visits to your General Practitioner (GP) or a specialist practitioner.
Extras cover may be taken out in addition to hospital cover and is a simple way to help reduce costs on healthcare essentials like dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Whether you need cover designed to meet visa condition 8501 or extra peace of mind, we have options for you.
Start your online quote or call our expert team on 1800 226 126
Joining is easy and can take minutes.
You can join online, over the phone or via email – easy as 1, 2, 3.
You can choose to start your cover immediately or on a date you nominate.
We’ll issue your Certificate of Insurance, which you may need to provide the Australian Government as proof of your health cover.
As the only health fund made for doctors, the medical community and their families, we’re uniquely positioned to understand your needs as a medical professional – the way other funds simply can’t.
Here’s just a few reasons to join:
Doctors’ Health Fund is a restricted health fund, meaning membership is limited to certain groups. To join, you must meet both of the following:
To qualify, you must hold a qualifying visa and must also be:
Medical and Healthcare Community Criteria
2. An overseas trained and current AHPRA registered Health Practitioner in one of the following categories:
3. An employee of a Medical Practitioner or Health Practitioner (e.g. practice managers, receptionists).
4. An employee of a medical association (for example: Australian Medical Association (AMA)).
5. An employee in any role by an association whose members are Medical Practitioners or Health Practitioners (for example: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)).
6. An employee of Avant Mutual.
7. Family of an eligible member (parents, children, spouse/partner, siblings, nieces/nephews) provided they hold a qualifying visa.
Note: Students studying to become a practitioner are not eligible.
Partners and dependants under 21 can be added to a family policy. Adult family members can take out their own policy if they meet visa requirements.
You must hold an eligible working or skilled visa (OVHC is often a visa condition). Common eligible visas include:
All three of our OVHC hospital products meet the requirements for visa condition 8501. These products are; Overseas Workers Core Hospital Cover, Overseas Workers Complete Hospital Cover, Overseas Workers Premium Hospital Cover.
It’s recommended to refer to the Australian Government Visa Finder for the most accurate and up to date information.
Yes. Medicare access is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents. The easiest way to tell is by the colour of your Medicare Card (if one is issued to you).
No Medicare access: All three of our products are designed to meet the requirements of visa condition 8501. Depending on your health cover needs, you can choose from Overseas Workers Core Hospital Cover, Overseas Workers Complete Hospital Cover, or and Overseas Workers Premium Hospital Cover.
Yellow Medicare card: If you are a visa holder from a country that has access to a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA), the Overseas Workers Core Hospital Cover product is designed to give you private health cover without coverage for outpatient services. If you would like a higher level of cover including outpatient services, our Overseas Workers Complete Hospital Cover and Overseas Workers Premium Hospital Cover products are recommended.
Please check your RHCA for Medicare eligibility as each country may have a different entitlement.
Green or Blue Medicare card: Not eligible for OVHC. You may be eligible to join Doctors’ Health Fund on a domestic policy instead. Click here for more information: Switching Health Insurance Funds | Doctors' Health Fund
All OVHC Worker’s Cover policies have waiting periods.
Hospital cover refers to inpatient treatment or medical services in hospital and has the following waiting periods:
Extras cover is typically taken out to support healthcare essentials the Medicare does not cover like optical, dental, physiotherapy and other services or treatments provided in outpatient settings. Services covered on extras policies include the following waiting periods:
If you’re switching from a different OVHC provider from a higher or the same level of cover, you may not need to re-serve waiting periods.
To ensure you’re covered or to clarify your waiting periods for hospital or extras cover, it’s best to get in touch with the experts on 1800 226 126.
Yes, you can join Doctors’ Health Fund without being an Avant member.
As the largest medical indemnity insurer in Australia, with a distinguished 130 year history of protecting doctors, exploring Avant’s Medical Indemnity insurance is recommended. Plus, being an Avant member may mean you’re eligible for member-first exclusives or discounts.
Learn more by visiting Avant’s dedicated International Medical Graduates page.
Open, retail products only.
Annual member satisfaction survey, October 2025.
