With drastic changes set to occur to the existing 457-work visa, an insurance start-up commits to providing cover to non-residents traveling to Australia, as it holds that “travel insurance is for all Australians, temporary or permanent”.
The Federal government announced in April that it would officially replace the 457 program with a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa effective March 2018 and strip the list of jobs available to visa applicants.
Along with the new employment rules, 457 visa holders may also face stricter criteria when applying for some financial services once the reforms take effect.
Zoom Travel Insurance said that despite the reforms, it will continue to provide cover to non-residents wishing to travel to Australia, including 457 visa holders, non-residents on 417 working holiday visa, as well as those on partner/defacto or student visas.
Non-residents without access to Medicare is a demographic often excluded cover by a majority of Australian travel insurers.
Kate Smith, marketing manager of Zoomtravelinsurance.com.au, said: “The status of 457 visa holders is about to change significantly. In addition to employment restrictions, visa holders will be tasked with stringent requirements when accessing provisions like loans and credit cards. However, we’re happy to say that Zoom travel insurance will continue to cater to non-residents despite the new reforms.”
She continued: “Until now, options were really very limited for non-residents trying to find protection for their overseas trip. Many providers claim they will cover non-residents wanting to travel outside of Australia but only in so far as they are eligible for Medicare benefits.”
“At Zoom, we believe that temporary residents have just as much a right to travel safely and securely, regardless of their country of origin. So long as your visa is valid, you’re currently residing in Australia, intending on travelling temporarily overseas, and have private health insurance (a requirement of your visa to be in Australia in the first place), Zoom will cover your overseas travels.”
