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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Protect Your Health in Australia

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Protect Your Health in Australia

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all international students on Australian student visas. Ensure continuous coverage for medical care, hospital treatment, and peace of mind during your studies.

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What OSHC Covers

Essential health services included in your student health insurance.

Basic OSHC Covers Essential Medical Services

  • General practitioner (GP) visits: 100% of MBS fee covered
  • Hospital treatments: Public & private hospital care
  • Emergency ambulance services: Full coverage
  • Limited pharmaceuticals: Up to $300/year (single), $600/year (family)

Optional Extras Available Additional Services

  • Dental treatment: Cleanings, fillings, extractions (extras cover)
  • Optical services: Eye tests, glasses, contact lenses (extras cover)
  • Physiotherapy & chiropractic: Allied health services (extras cover)
  • Mental health support: 24/7 counseling services with Sonder (included)

OSHC does not cover dental, optical, or physiotherapy treatments under basic coverage. Upgrade to Extras OSHC for these services, or purchase supplementary private health insurance alongside OSHC.

Overseas Student Health Cover Essentials

Understanding OSHC requirements is critical for your visa compliance and health protection.

  • OSHC is mandatory for the entire duration of your student visa (Subclass 500)
  • Coverage date must start on or before your arrival date in Australia (no gaps permitted)
  • Coverage must extend to your visa expiry date or departure date, whichever is later
  • Only Australian Government-approved OSHC providers are valid for visa requirements
  • You must pay OSHC premiums upfront before lodging your student visa application
  • All dependants (partners and children under 18) must have OSHC unless exempt by reciprocal agreement
  • You can choose any approved provider; universities cannot force you to use a specific provider

OSHC Selection & Purchase Process

Follow three steps to select appropriate OSHC coverage for your Australian study.

1. Verify Your Eligibility & Coverage Needs

Confirm your student visa duration from your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE). Determine your coverage type: Singles, Couples, Single Parent, or Family (based on dependants). Calculate total coverage period: arrival date to visa expiry date.

2. Compare Approved OSHC Providers

Contact our team to compare all government-approved providers. Review basic OSHC coverage and Extras options. Check provider support features (24/7 helplines, telehealth GPs, mobile apps, campus representatives). Compare premiums and value-added benefits (retail discounts, mental health support, direct billing clinics).

3. Purchase & Secure Your Certificate

Complete online application with approved provider. Pay premium upfront (accept all policies will require full payment). Receive confirmation email and OSHC certificate (usually within 24 hours). Activate your policy upon arrival (register online or via provider's mobile app).

OSHC Premium Costs & Budget Planning

OSHC costs vary by provider and coverage type, ranging from AUD $478–$4,200 annually.

Basic OSHC Premiums (Annual Costs 2026)

  • Singles basic OSHC: AUD $478–$700 per year (lowest cost option)
  • Couples basic OSHC: AUD $4,600–$6,200 per year
  • Single Parent basic OSHC: $4,600–$6,200 per year
  • Family basic OSHC: AUD $9,000–$11,000 per year (covers student + 2 dependants)
  • Note: Costs vary significantly between providers; compare before purchasing

Multi-Year Discounts

  • 2-year policies: Often 5–10% discount compared to annual purchase
  • 3-year policies: Typically 10–15% discount compared to annual purchase
  • Family policies: Often cheaper per person than individual singles policies
  • Note: Check if your visa duration allows multi-year policies before committing
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHC is a mandatory health insurance requirement for international students studying in Australia on a student visa (Subclass 500).

Yes, OSHC is compulsory for all international students and must be maintained for the entire duration of the student visa.

OSHC typically covers GP visits, hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, and limited pharmaceutical costs.

No, basic OSHC does not cover dental, optical, or physiotherapy services unless you purchase additional Extras cover.

OSHC must start on or before your arrival date in Australia and continue until your visa expiry or departure date.

Approved OSHC providers include Bupa, NIB, Allianz Care Australia, Medibank, and AHM.

OSHC costs vary depending on provider and coverage type, typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.

Yes, students can choose any government-approved OSHC provider; universities cannot force a specific insurer.

Yes, partners and children included in the visa application must also be covered under OSHC unless exempt.

You can compare providers, choose a suitable plan, pay the premium, and receive your OSHC certificate before applying for your student visa.

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