Visa at risk
Breaching 8501 can lead to the visa being cancelled.
CONDITION 8501
Visa condition 8501
8501 is a common condition on Australian temporary visas: hold adequate health insurance for your whole stay. Student visas need OSHC; other visas with 8501 usually need a compliant OVHC.
Date rules for student visas
A student visa usually runs 1 to 2 months past the course, sometimes to 15 March the following year. OSHC must last until the visa ends.
| Your course | Your visa usually ends, so cover until |
|---|---|
| 10 months or shorter | 1 month after the course ends |
| Longer than 10 months | 2 months after the course ends |
| Longer than 10 months and ending in November or December | 15 March the following year |
These are the Department's general rules; your visa grant has the final word.
Use the calculatorWhat a gap costs
Later visas
It can affect later visa extensions or other applications.
Paying in full
Medical costs during a gap are entirely yours, and Australian healthcare is expensive.
When gaps happen
Gaps happen most often when changing visa or insurer, so arrange the handover early.
Dependants
A partner and children on your visa also need cover for the whole visa period, on the same policy as you.
Changing visa or insurer
The new policy starts the day after the old one ends, or overlaps; never a gap. Moving from a student visa to a 485 means switching from OSHC to OVHC. Ask us before you switch if you're unsure.
Not sure your dates are right?
Send us your CoE or visa letter and we'll check your policy dates for free.