Health Insurance for British Expats in Australia
The top health insurance providers in Australia for British expats include Cigna Global, Allianz, Bupa, April International, and NOW Health International. These providers offer British expats in Australia a wide variety of flexible options that can be tailored to their unique needs and budget.
Discover the world's top
health insurers.
Compare quotes with
a click of the button.
Moving to Australia? Worried about public healthcare eligibility? Looking for health insurance to stay insured? In this article, we will go through Australia’s healthcare system, the importance of health insurance, top providers, and tips to help you find the right health insurance in Australia.
Healthcare System in Australia
Australia’s healthcare system is a mix of public and private care. The public system, Medicare, covers citizens and permanent residents with general practitioner visits, hospital treatments in public hospitals, and subsidized prescription medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Medicare is funded through general taxation and a dedicated Medicare levy, which is typically two percent of a person’s taxable income. It ensures that all Australians have access to essential healthcare services regardless of their financial situation.
PBS works alongside Medicare to make prescription medication more affordable. Under this scheme, patients pay only a capped co-payment for listed medication.
Are British Expats Eligible for Medicare in Australia?
British expats in Australia can access Medicare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA), but their coverage will be limited compared to that of permanent residents in Australia, who have full access to Medicare. To qualify, you must have been living in the UK before arriving in Australia.
RHCA coverage for British expats includes:
- Free or subsidized treatment in public hospitals for medically necessary care
- Subsidized visits to general practitioners and specialists
- Access to certain prescription drugs through the PBS
Whilst British expats can still access basic medical care under the RHCA, there are gaps in coverage. Coverage for ambulance services may not be covered, depending on the state you are moving to, and elective or planned procedures are not covered under the RHCA.
As such, many British expats supplement RHCA coverage with private health insurance to fill the potential coverage gaps. This not only provides more well-rounded coverage but also ensures access to private facilities, which typically have shorter wait times for non-urgent care.
Private Health Insurance Options for British Expats in Australia
Expats in Australia have a wide range of private health insurance options, including international insurers like Allianz, AXA, Bupa Global, and Cigna Global. In addition to major international providers, they can also consider local insurers.
Why British Expats Need Private Health Insurance in Australia
While Medicare offers basic coverage for British expats in Australia, extra benefits such as dental, vision, and physiotherapy are exempt from coverage. To cover these gaps and provide access to private healthcare facilities, it is highly recommended that expats secure a private plan.
Certain visas also require expats to show proof of adequate health insurance. Visas subjected to this include:
- Bridging Visa A/B/C/E
- Temporary Work International Relations (m)
- Investor Retirement (m)
- Training (m)
- Temporary Work Activity (d)
- Retirement (d)
- Woking Holiday (d)
- NZ Citizen Family Relationship (d)
- Work and Holiday (d)
- Temporary Skill Shortage (m)
- Temporary Graduate – (Graduate Work, Post Study Work, Replacement Stream) (m)
- Student (m)
- Student Guardian (m)
- Visitor (Tourist) (d)
- Transit (d)
- Sponsored Parent (m)
Cost of Health Insurance in Australia
According to the Pacific Prime Cost of Health Insurance 2024 report, the average cost of international health insurance in Australia is USD $5,067 for individuals and USD $14,193 for families. The ultimate cost of health insurance takes into consideration your age, health, and coverage type.
Recommended Health Insurance Providers for British Expats in Australia
The top health insurance providers for British Expats in Australia include Allianz Australia, Bupa Australia, Cigna, April International, and NOW Health International. These insurers offer customizable plans for British expats in Australia to cover their insurance gaps.
Cigna Global for British Expats in Australian
Cigna Global is one of the most popular choices among expats thanks to its modular design, which allows you to customize inpatient, outpatient, dental, and wellness benefits. Cigna’s vast hospital network and multilingual support make it ideal for expats in Australia.
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) | Key Benefits |
| Silver | £754,700 (A$1,430,800) | Core inpatient and day-patient, private room, and cancer care cover, with optional outpatient modules |
| Gold | £1,509,400 (A$2,861,600) | Higher limits; includes routine maternity (with add-on options) and wider outpatient and rehab benefits |
| Platinum | Unlimited | Most comprehensive: inpatient, outpatient, maternity, mental health, and full cancer care paid in full |
| Close Care | £377,350 (A$715,400) | Coverage only in Australia and the selected home country; a lower-cost option for expats |
Allianz for British Expats in Australia
Allianz offers flexible international health insurance that is ideal for long-term expats and families. Plans include 24/7 multilingual support, maternity coverage, and global mobility, making them perfect for expats who frequently travel.
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) | Key Benefits |
| Care | £1,886,750 (A$3,577,000) | Semi-private inpatient/day-patient, oncology, medical evacuation, and nursing at home cover. |
| Care Plus | £3,018,800 (A$5,723,200) | Private room cover, plus outpatient add-ons, emergency dental, stronger rehab, and home nursing. |
| Care Pro | £3,773,500 (A$7,154,000) | Top-tier limits, with preventive surgery and laser-eye options, broad family services, and fast digital claims. |
Bupa for British Expats in Australia
Bupa offers high-quality health insurance plans tailored for expats, families, and professionals. Known for its premium service and extensive global network, Bupa Global provides four main tiers of international health insurance: Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite.
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) | Key Benefits | Optional Add-ons |
| Major Medical | £2,380,650 (A$4,538,106) | Covers inpatient and day-care, worldwide evacuation, and 24/7 multilingual helplines | Outpatient visits, dental care, and repatriation |
| Select | £1,190,325 (A$2,270,702) | Expands on Major Medical benefits with outpatient treatment, dental, and repatriation | Maternity care, chronic condition support, and vision |
| Premier | £1,785,450 (A$3,404,858) | Builds on Select benefits with maternity coverage, long-term illness care, and eye health | Preventive checkups and wellness services |
| Elite | £3,570,975 (A$6,805,659) | Broadest plan offering the highest limits and extensive treatment options | Preventive checkups and wellness services |
All Bupa Global plans come with 24/7 multilingual support, a digital portal for claims management, and access to an extensive worldwide provider network. Members can also freely choose their doctor or hospital within their coverage region, ensuring peace of mind wherever they are in the world.
April International for British Expats in Australia
Health insurance plans from April International are tailored to expats, featuring hospitalization, outpatient, dental, and maternity coverage. April International also offers user-friendly mobile claims and support, a 24/7 telemedicine service, and a vast direct billing network.
April International’s main health insurance product for expats is called MyHealth International. Expats and expat families have five tiers of coverage to choose from. Coverage tiers range from emergency-only care to a premium plan with outpatient and preventative care coverage.
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) |
| Emergency | £212,500 (A$407,500) |
| Formule Basic | £425,000 (A$815,000) |
| Essential | £850,000 (A$1,630,000) |
| Comfort | Unlimited |
| Premium | Unlimited |
NOW Health International for British Expats in Australia
NOW Health International offers international health insurance plans designed for expats and expat families living abroad, with comprehensive coverage worldwide, including or excluding the US. The plans available include the SimpleCare plans and the WorldCare plans.
For expats seeking dental and maternity benefits, WorldCare plans are far more comprehensive. With annual limits up to £3,396,150 (A$6,438,600), they offer optional or tier-based dental coverage and maternity care at higher tiers—unlike SimpleCare, which excludes maternity entirely.
NOW Health International’s SimpleCare plan comes with three tiered options for coverage:
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) |
| SimpleCare Core | £754,700 (A$1,430,800) |
| SimpleCare 100 | £1,132,050 (A$2,146,200) |
| SimpleCare 250 | £1,132,050 (A$2,146,200) |
NOW Health International’s WorldCare plan comes with four different tiers of coverage:
| Plan | Coverage Limit (GBP/AUD) |
| Essential Tier | £2,264,100 (A$4,292,400) |
| Advance Tier | £2,641,450 (A$5,007,800) |
| Excel Tier | £3,018,800 (A$5,723,200) |
| Apex Tier | £3,396,150 (A$6,438,600) |
Special Health Insurance Considerations for British Expats
British expats choosing a plan should remember that Australia often requires private health insurance, such as Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC), for visa approval. While the public Medicare system is strong, access depends on residency or reciprocal agreements.
When choosing a plan, Expats should also consider their health history, budget, and lifestyle to ensure that their plans works best for them.
- Visa Requirements: Most expats need private health insurance, like OVHC, to meet visa rules. Without it, visa approval may be delayed or denied.
- Medicare Access: Australia’s Medicare covers essential care, but eligibility depends on residency or reciprocal agreements. UK citizens get limited access.
- Health History: Check if your desired health insurance plan covers pre-existing conditions. Some insurers impose waiting periods, exclusions, or higher premiums.
- Budget: Don’t just pick the cheapest plan. Review premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and annual limits to ensure coverage fits your needs.
- Lifestyle: Outdoor sports and frequent travel may require extra coverage. Medicare only applies in Australia, so international plans may be useful.
How to Lower Your Premium Costs
British expats in Australia can save on insurance premiums by choosing local providers, comparing plans carefully, customizing coverage, considering high-deductible options, and working with brokers who tailor policies to individual needs.
Compare Plans from Different Providers
Use online quote tools and compare multiple insurers. Check annual limits, exclusions, and geographical coverage to ensure the plan matches your medical needs and travel habits.
Customize Your Coverage
Avoid paying for extras you don’t need. For example, skip dental or vision coverage if unnecessary, or add them only as optional riders. Tailoring your plan keeps premiums lower.
Select a High-Deductible Plan
High-deductible policies reduce premiums by shifting more upfront risk to you. This suits healthy expats who rarely need care, but be prepared for higher out-of-pocket costs if treatment is required.
Consult an Insurance Broker
Brokers partner with multiple providers and can find bespoke plans that balance affordability and coverage. They save time, explain complex terms, and assist with claims and admin tasks after enrollment.
Why Use a Broker for Health Insurance in Australia
There are many benefits to employing an international health insurance broker, like Pacific Prime, to help you stay insured during your stay in Australia, from quoting and comparing plans from multiple providers to finding the plans that satisfy your medical needs and stay within your budget.
One of the key benefits of working with an international health insurance broker is that a broker represents the client, not the insurance companies. Through a broker, you can easily quote and compare different plans from multiple providers to find one that best suits your needs.
Insurance Brokers Handle Administrative Tasks
One of the benefits of working with an insurance broker is that there are fewer administrative tasks for you. Travelers and expats will have an easier time because the broker can correspond with insurers on their behalf, manage policy documentation, help process their claims, and more.
Insurance Brokers Offer Continuous Support
You remain a client of your selected insurance broker after you secure the policy. The broker will continue to assist you in renewing your plan, updating it, and filing claims. You’ll be able to reach out with questions and receive support from your insurance broker.
Insurance Brokers Offer Personalized Options and Market Insights
Insurance brokers are experts on policy options and market trends. You’ll be able to customize plans based on your budget and needs because an insurance broker will help you secure the best fit.
Insurance Brokers Advocate and Mediate on Behalf of Policyholders
Your relationship with your broker means that the broker will support you and work to keep your loyalty. They also understand the terminology of insurance and can help mediate with insurance companies. You’ll have much more security with an advocate in your corner.
Secure the Right Plan with Pacific Prime
Finding the right health insurance in Australia can be daunting. From coverage and premiums to claims and hospital networks, there’s much to weigh. Pacific Prime makes it easier by simplifying the process and matching expats with plans tailored to their needs.
Pacific Prime is a global insurance broker with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Our insurance experts can help you filter through different insurance plans from our extensive list of insurance partners to help you find a plan that suits you.
Contact us today for impartial advice or an obligation-free quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health insurance required for British expats in Australia?
Health insurance is required for many visas in Australia. While British expats may be covered by the Medicare system, it is highly recommended to have a private health insurance plan, even if they are not required to have one for their visa.
Do I need health insurance even if I qualify for Medicare?
Medicare for British expats provides basic healthcare coverage, but there are coverage gaps, and the coverage limits are not as comprehensive as they are for citizens and permanent residents. British expats should consider private health insurance to ensure there are no gaps in their coverage.
How do I choose the right plan?
To choose the right plan, you should consider your visa requirements, health history, budget, and lifestyle. If you plan to stay long term, balance Medicare access with private coverage for comprehensive coverage.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
- Health Insurance for British Expats in Australia - August 11, 2026
- Health Insurance for Canadian Expats in Japan - August 11, 2026
- Health Insurance for American Expats in Ecuador - August 11, 2026
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post
We'll notify you
when our team replies!