OSHC for International Students — Everything You Need to Know About Health Insurance in Australia

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory health insurance product for international students studying in Australia on a student visa (subclass 500). It is not optional — maintaining OSHC for the entire duration of your visa is a visa condition, and failure to maintain it can result in your visa being cancelled.

Despite being a requirement, many international students arrive in Australia without fully understanding what OSHC covers, how it works, or how to make a claim. This guide explains everything you need to know about OSHC — from choosing a provider to filing your first claim — so you can focus on your studies with peace of mind.

OSHC is a specific health insurance product designed to cover the cost of medical and hospital care for international students in Australia. It is modelled on Medicare — Australia's public healthcare system — to which international students do not have access (with some exceptions for students from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements, such as Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom).

Why OSHC is required:

• The Australian Government mandates OSHC under the National Health Act 1953 to ensure international students are not left without health coverage.
• It is a condition of your student visa (condition 8501) — you must maintain adequate health insurance at all times while in Australia.
• Without OSHC, a medical emergency could cost you tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. A single night in an Australian public hospital can cost over AUD 2,500, and a trip to the emergency department typically starts at AUD 800+.

If you are from one of the reciprocal healthcare agreement countries listed above, you may be exempt from the OSHC requirement. Check with the Department of Home Affairs to confirm your eligibility.

All OSHC policies must provide a minimum level of coverage as set by the Australian Government. Standard OSHC covers:

• GP (general practitioner) visits: OSHC covers the full Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for GP consultations. However, many GPs charge above the MBS fee (this is called "gap" billing), meaning you may have a small out-of-pocket cost. Bulk-billing GPs (who charge only the MBS fee) are available and are free under OSHC.
• Specialist consultations: OSHC covers 85% of the MBS fee for specialist consultations when referred by a GP.
• Public hospital treatment: OSHC covers treatment in a public hospital as a public (shared ward) patient. This includes accommodation, surgery, intensive care, and other in-hospital services.
• Private hospital treatment: Coverage varies by provider and policy level. Basic OSHC policies may not cover private hospital admission. If you choose private hospital treatment, check your policy carefully for out-of-pocket costs.
• Ambulance: Most OSHC policies cover emergency ambulance transport (in some states, this is essential — a single ambulance call in Queensland can cost over AUD 1,000 without insurance).
• Prescription medications: OSHC covers a portion of the cost of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). You will typically pay a co-payment similar to what Medicare-eligible patients pay.
• Diagnostic tests: Blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures referred by a doctor are covered at the MBS rate.

Understanding what is not covered is just as important as knowing what is included. Standard OSHC does not cover:

• Dental: Routine dental check-ups, fillings, extractions, and orthodontics are not covered. Dental emergencies may receive limited coverage under some policies, but this varies by provider.
• Optical: Eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses are not covered.
• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, and allied health: These are generally not covered unless they are part of a hospital admission.
• Pre-existing conditions: Conditions that existed before you took out your OSHC policy may be subject to waiting periods (typically 12 months for pre-existing conditions).
• Pregnancy-related services: There is a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related services (including childbirth). If you become pregnant within the first 12 months of your policy, pregnancy care may not be covered.
• Cosmetic surgery: Not covered under any OSHC policy.
• Treatment outside Australia: OSHC only covers treatment received in Australia.
• Mental health: While GP mental health consultations and public hospital psychiatric admissions are covered, private psychology sessions and counselling are generally not covered or have limited coverage. Many universities offer free counselling services to students, which can fill this gap.

For services not covered by OSHC, you can purchase additional extras cover (similar to what Australians call "extras" or "ancillary" insurance) from your OSHC provider, which can cover dental, optical, and allied health. However, this adds to your premium.

There are five approved OSHC providers in Australia. All must meet the government's minimum coverage requirements, but they differ in price, customer service, extras options, and online tools:

1. Medibank

• One of Australia's largest health insurers.
• Extensive provider network and well-established claims system.
• Single student: approximately AUD 550 to AUD 660 per year.

2. Bupa Australia

• Strong international presence and popular with international students.
• Good online portal and app for managing your policy and claims.
• Single student: approximately AUD 530 to AUD 650 per year.

3. Allianz Care Australia (formerly Iman)

• Often the most affordable option.
• Competitive pricing, particularly for multi-year policies.
• Single student: approximately AUD 480 to AUD 600 per year.

4. ahm (Australian Health Management — a Medibank subsidiary)

• Budget-friendly option with a simple product structure.
• Single student: approximately AUD 490 to AUD 610 per year.

5. nib

• Growing in popularity with a modern digital experience.
• Single student: approximately AUD 500 to AUD 620 per year.

Couple and family rates: Expect to pay AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,600 per year for a couple, and AUD 1,800 to AUD 2,500 for a family. See our cost of living guide for how OSHC fits into your overall budget.

You must have OSHC before your student visa is granted. Here is how to arrange it:

Option 1: Through your university (most common).

• Many universities have a preferred OSHC provider and can arrange your cover as part of the enrolment process.
• The OSHC cost may be included in your initial payment to the university, or billed separately.
• This is the easiest option — your university handles the setup and your cover starts automatically when you arrive.

Option 2: Arrange it yourself.

• You can purchase OSHC directly from any of the five approved providers.
• Visit the provider's website, select "OSHC" or "Overseas Student Health Cover," enter your visa details and course dates, and pay online.
• You will receive a policy certificate or membership number, which you include in your visa application.

Key timing requirements:

• Your OSHC must cover you from the day you arrive in Australia (or from when your visa is granted, whichever is later) until the end of your visa period.
• If your visa is granted before you arrive, some providers offer a "waiting period" where your cover begins on your arrival date.
• If you extend your visa (e.g., because your course is extended), you must extend your OSHC to cover the new visa period.

If you are applying through Tilt SAMS, your advisor can guide you through the OSHC selection process and ensure your coverage dates align with your visa application.

Making a claim is straightforward once you understand the process:

Step 1: Visit a doctor or hospital.

• If you visit a bulk-billing GP (one who charges only the Medicare rate), the cost is usually settled directly between the GP and your OSHC provider — you pay nothing.
• If the GP charges above the MBS rate, you pay the full amount upfront and claim the MBS portion back from your OSHC provider.

Step 2: Get your receipt and documentation.

• Keep all receipts, invoices, and referral letters. You will need these to submit your claim.

Step 3: Submit your claim.

• Most providers allow you to submit claims through their app or online portal. Upload a photo of your receipt and the claim is typically processed within a few business days.
• You can also submit claims by email, mail, or in person at a provider's office (less common).

Step 4: Receive your reimbursement.

• The refund is deposited directly into your nominated Australian bank account.

Tips for smooth claims:

• Always check whether a doctor bulk-bills before your appointment — this eliminates out-of-pocket costs entirely.
• Download your OSHC provider's app and register your bank details when you first take out your policy.
• Keep your OSHC membership card (physical or digital) with you at all times.
• If you need hospital treatment, contact your OSHC provider before admission (if possible) so they can confirm your coverage and arrange direct billing with the hospital.

You are not locked into your initial OSHC provider. You can switch providers at any time, though there are a few things to consider:

• No-gap switching: When you switch, your new provider must recognise any waiting periods you have already served with your previous provider. This means you do not lose coverage or restart waiting periods.
• Refund from old provider: Your previous provider will refund the unused portion of your premium (calculated from the day you switch).
• Why switch: You might find a cheaper provider, prefer better customer service or online tools, or want to access a specific extras or hospital product not offered by your current provider.
• How to switch: Take out a policy with the new provider (starting from a specific date), then contact your old provider to cancel your existing policy from the same date and request a refund.

Switching is straightforward but ensure there is no gap in coverage — even one day without OSHC puts your visa at risk.

Your OSHC policy ends when your student visa expires. If you transition to another visa, you will need different health cover:

• Subclass 485 (post-study work visa): You are no longer required to hold OSHC, but you also do not have access to Medicare (unless you are from a reciprocal healthcare agreement country). You will need private health insurance or the specific Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) available for 485 visa holders.
• Bridging Visa A (while waiting for 485 processing): Maintain your OSHC until your 485 is granted, then switch to appropriate cover.
• Permanent residency: Once you become a permanent resident, you are eligible for Medicare and can choose whether to take out additional private health insurance.

Planning your health insurance transitions is important — gaps in coverage can be expensive if you need medical treatment during the changeover. Your Tilt SAMS advisor can help you plan the transition from OSHC to post-study health cover.

Health insurance might not be the most exciting topic, but it is one of the most important practical aspects of your Australian student experience. Take the time to understand your OSHC policy, and you will avoid unpleasant surprises when you need medical care. Create a free Tilt SAMS account to get personalised guidance on OSHC and every other aspect of your journey to studying in Australia.