NSW calls for tourist health insurance

All tourists visiting Australia should be compelled to take out private health insurance, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says.

Indian tourists

Approval time for tourist visas (subclass 600) has lengthened from 14 days in 2015 to nearly 49 days in 2018-ATEC Source: Getty Images

All tourists visiting Australia should be compelled to take out health insurance, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says.

Mr Hazzard wants his state and federal counterparts to support a proposal requiring tourists on temporary visas to get private insurance, extending conditions that already apply to foreign students and some working visa holders, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

"Every time an uninsured visitor does not pay for their treatment in one of our public hospitals, taxpayers foot the bill," the minister said on Thursday.


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By Saleem Al-Fahad
Source: AAP

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