When moving to Australia on a temporary visa, many people assume that once they purchase OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover), their healthcare expenses are fully taken care of. After all, OVHC is mandatory for many visas and provides access to hospital and medical treatment.

However, healthcare costs in Australia go beyond just your OVHC premium. Even with valid cover, temporary residents often face out-of-pocket expenses that are not obvious at the time of purchase.

This guide explains the real-world healthcare costs you should budget for in Australia, using accurate and up-to-date information from OVHC fund rules and common claim scenarios.

Why OVHC Alone Is Not Your Full Healthcare Budget?

OVHC is designed to cover medically necessary treatment in Australia, primarily hospital and inpatient medical services. It is not designed to eliminate every cost you may face.

Healthcare expenses beyond your premium usually arise due to:

• Benefit limits
• Waiting periods
• Out-of-hospital treatment
• Provider gaps
• Excluded services

Understanding these costs early helps you avoid financial stress later.

Your OVHC Premium Covers Core Treatment, Not Everything

Most OVHC policies from providers like nib, Bupa, AIA, and Medibank focus on:

• Hospital admissions
• Inpatient doctor services
• Emergency ambulance
• Limited pharmaceuticals

But healthcare in Australia often involves out-of-hospital care, which is where hidden costs appear.

GP Visits and Specialist Consultations Can Still Cost You

Why GP Visits aren’t Always Fully Covered?

Many OVHC policies reimburse GP and specialist visits based on Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rates or capped benefits. If a doctor charges more than the benefit paid, the difference becomes your out-of-pocket cost.

This means:

• Bulk-billing clinics reduce costs
• Private clinics may charge gap fees
• Specialist appointments can be expensive without referral pathways

Even routine GP visits should be factored into your monthly budget.

Outpatient Diagnostic Tests Often Come with Gaps

Scans, Pathology, and Imaging Aren’t Always Fully Paid

OVHC generally covers diagnostic services only when they are part of inpatient hospital treatment. Many common tests are performed as outpatient services, which may result in partial or no reimbursement.

Examples include:

• Blood tests
• Ultrasounds
• CT or MRI scans
• Follow-up imaging

These costs can add up quickly if you require ongoing medical monitoring.

Prescription Medicines Have Annual Limits

Pharmacy Costs are One of the Most Overlooked Expenses

All OVHC policies include pharmaceutical benefit limits, usually capped annually and subject to co-payments. Once you reach that limit, you must pay the full cost of medicines.

This is especially important for:

• Chronic conditions
• Long-term medication
• Specialist prescriptions

Australia’s medicine prices can be high without subsidies, so pharmacy costs should be part of your healthcare budget.

Emergency Ambulance is Covered, But Not Everything Else

Emergency ambulance transport is covered under most OVHC policies. However, non-emergency ambulance services are generally excluded.

Situations that may not be covered include:

• Transfers between hospitals for convenience
• Transport for follow-up treatment
• Non-urgent medical transport

Unexpected ambulance bills can be costly if the situation is not classified as an emergency.

Hospital Treatment Can Still Involve Out-of-Pocket Costs

Private vs Public Hospital Differences Matter

While OVHC covers hospital admissions, costs can vary depending on:

• Whether the hospital is an agreement hospital
• Whether the doctor charges above benefit limits
• Whether you choose a private room or provider

Private hospital care often involves higher gap payments, especially for specialist fees.

Pregnancy and Maternity Costs Require Long-Term Planning

Pregnancy is one of the most expensive healthcare events in Australia. Under OVHC:

• Pregnancy is only covered on selected plans
• A 12-month waiting period applies
• Many antenatal services are not covered

Even with eligible cover, out-of-hospital check-ups, scans, and private obstetric care may not be reimbursed.