For international students studying in Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is an important part of meeting Student Visa (Subclass 500) health insurance requirements. Students generally need to maintain appropriate OSHC for the required period of their stay in Australia.
Although OSHC providers offer cover designed to meet Australian Government requirements, premiums can vary considerably depending on the insurer, length of cover and whether you need a single, couple or family policy.
Finding the cheapest OSHC in Australia therefore doesn't simply mean choosing the first low-priced policy you see. Comparing available policies can help you balance price, benefits and your individual circumstances.
At 500 Visa Insurance, international students can compare OSHC from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib and check available options based on their circumstances.
There is no single OSHC price that applies to every international student.
The cost of your Overseas Student Health Cover can depend on several factors, including:
This is why two international students may receive different OSHC prices even when they are both applying for a Subclass 500 Student Visa.
Students looking specifically for affordable cover can also read our guide to Cheapest 500 Visa Health Insurance.
International students can obtain OSHC from Australian Government-approved OSHC insurers.
Some of the major providers include:
At 500 Visa Insurance, our current comparison tool allows students to compare policies available through Allianz Care, Bupa and nib.
It is important to make this distinction because not every comparison service compares every OSHC provider.
The price of OSHC can vary between providers, which is why comparing policies before purchasing can be worthwhile.
Allianz Care provides Overseas Student Health Cover for international students studying in Australia.
Students considering this provider can read our detailed Allianz OSHC guide before comparing available policies.
Bupa is another major provider of Overseas Student Health Cover in Australia.
Students can review our Bupa OSHC guide to learn more about Bupa student health insurance before comparing options.
nib provides OSHC policies for international students and eligible family members studying in Australia.
Read our nib OSHC guide for more information about nib Overseas Student Health Cover.
Rather than selecting a provider based only on its brand name, students should compare their available options.
Here are several things to consider.
OSHC premiums can vary between insurers.
Comparing available policies from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib can help you understand the differences in pricing and benefits before purchasing.
Use our OSHC comparison page to compare available policies
The duration of your OSHC is one of the factors that affects the total premium.
When obtaining a quote, make sure you enter the appropriate dates for your circumstances rather than simply estimating the period required.
Students should also ensure their OSHC arrangements meet the requirements applicable to their Student Visa.
The cheapest insurer for a single student may not necessarily provide the most competitive option for a couple or family.
OSHC premiums can differ substantially depending on whether the policy covers:
If you are travelling with family members, read our guide to Couple and Family OSHC before purchasing.
Not necessarily.
Price is obviously important, particularly for students facing tuition fees, visa costs and living expenses. However, the lowest premium should not be the only factor considered.
When comparing OSHC, students may also want to consider:
A policy that costs slightly less upfront may not necessarily provide the features that are most suitable for your circumstances.
The objective should therefore be to find affordable OSHC that provides suitable cover, rather than simply selecting a policy because it has the lowest displayed price.
Students bringing a spouse, partner or dependent children to Australia should pay particular attention when comparing OSHC.
Couple and family OSHC can cost considerably more than single cover, and the difference between insurers can be significant.
For this reason, families should compare policies across multiple providers rather than assuming the cheapest single-student insurer will also provide the most affordable family policy.
You can read our detailed guide to Discounted Couple and Family 500 Visa Health Insurance.
Price itself does not determine whether an OSHC policy is suitable for a Student Visa.
International students should purchase appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover from an approved OSHC insurer and maintain the required cover during their stay.
This relates to visa condition 8501, which concerns maintaining adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
Read our guide to Visa Condition 8501 for international students for more information.
Using an online comparison tool can make it easier to compare available policies without separately visiting multiple insurer websites.
At 500 Visa Insurance, students can compare available OSHC options from:
Allianz Care | Bupa | nib
Enter your circumstances and required cover details to see available options.
There isn't one provider that will necessarily be cheapest for every student. Prices can depend on the required period of cover, insurer and whether you need single, couple or family OSHC. Comparing policies based on your own circumstances is therefore important.
International students are generally able to select an approved OSHC provider rather than simply choosing a policy based on a particular university or education provider's arrangement.
Yes. 500 Visa Insurance allows students to compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib.
Generally, yes. Policies covering a partner and/or dependent children can cost considerably more than single-student cover. Comparing insurers becomes particularly important for couples and families.
No. Price is important, but students should also consider benefits, exclusions, provider networks, claims processes and possible out-of-pocket expenses.
Finding affordable OSHC is easier when you compare available policies instead of automatically purchasing the first option offered to you.
500 Visa Insurance allows international students to compare available OSHC policies from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place.
Compare the price and policy options available for your circumstances before making your decision.
For assistance:
Email: info@500visainsurance.com.au
Call: 0479 070 270
WhatsApp: +61 479 070 270
Your health insurance requirements may change when you finish your studies and move to another Australian visa.
If you complete your studies and apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), OSHC may no longer be the appropriate type of health insurance. You may instead need suitable Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) for your new visa and circumstances.
Students moving from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa can learn more and compare 485 visa health insurance options.
If your parents or other family members are planning to visit you in Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), they can separately compare 600 visitor visa health insurance options.
Your insurance needs can vary depending on the visa you hold, so it is important to choose health cover appropriate for your current visa and circumstances.
Finding the cheapest OSHC in Australia does not necessarily mean choosing the policy with the lowest price. The cost of Overseas Student Health Cover can vary depending on the insurer, required period of cover, and whether you need single, couple or family coverage.
Comparing available policies can help international students understand the differences in price, benefits and policy features before making a decision.
At 500 Visa Insurance, students can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place. This can make it easier to find affordable health insurance that is suitable for your circumstances and Student Visa requirements.
Before purchasing, consider both the cost of the policy and the benefits provided so you can choose OSHC that offers appropriate cover throughout your studies in Australia.