International students applying for or holding an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) generally need to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period of their stay in Australia.
The cost of OSHC can vary depending on the insurer, length of cover and whether you require a single, couple or family policy. This means the cheapest Student Visa health insurance option may be different for each student.
At 500 Visa Insurance, you can compare available OSHC policies from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place. Comparing available prices and policy features can help you find affordable health insurance suitable for your circumstances and Student Visa requirements.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance designed for international students studying in Australia. Student Visa holders generally need to maintain appropriate OSHC for the required period of their stay.
This requirement is connected with Visa Condition 8501, which requires visa holders subject to the condition to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia.
Depending on the policy and insurer, OSHC can provide benefits towards eligible healthcare services such as:
Benefits, limits, exclusions and waiting periods can vary between insurers and policies, so students should review the relevant policy information before purchasing cover.
For a more detailed explanation, read our Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) guide.
500 Visa Insurance currently allows international students to compare available OSHC policies from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib. Prices and policy features can vary between providers, so comparing available options can help you find suitable cover for your circumstances.
Allianz Care offers Overseas Student Health Cover for international students studying in Australia. Students can compare available Allianz Care options with other providers before choosing their cover.
Read more about Allianz Care OSHC for international students.
Bupa provides OSHC for international students and eligible family members. The cost of cover can vary depending on your required dates and policy type.
Read our Bupa OSHC guide for international students.
nib offers Overseas Student Health Cover for international students in Australia, with options available for different policy types and circumstances.
Learn more in our nib OSHC guide for international students.
There is no single OSHC provider that will always be the cheapest for every international student. The price of Student Visa 500 health insurance can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the cover you require.
Factors that can affect the cost of OSHC include:
For this reason, the provider offering the cheapest OSHC for one student may not necessarily be the cheapest for another.
The best way to determine the price for your circumstances is to enter your required cover details and compare the available policies.
Single OSHC is designed to cover one international student. For students travelling to Australia without a partner or dependent children on their policy, this will generally be the relevant OSHC category.
The cost of single OSHC can vary between insurers and according to the required period of cover. A provider offering the lowest price for one student's dates may not necessarily be the cheapest for another student with different cover dates.
When comparing single OSHC, students should consider both the premium and important policy features, including eligible medical and hospital benefits, ambulance cover, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods and potential out-of-pocket costs.
At 500 Visa Insurance, you can compare available single OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib based on your required cover details.
International students travelling to Australia with a partner or dependent children may need an OSHC policy that covers eligible family members.
Depending on your circumstances, OSHC policy categories may include:
Couple and family OSHC can cost considerably more than single cover, and premiums can vary between insurers. This makes comparing available policies particularly important for students looking for affordable family health insurance.
The cheapest provider for a single student may also not be the cheapest provider for a couple or family. Students should compare the available price and policy features based on their actual family circumstances rather than choosing an insurer based on single-cover pricing.
For more information, read our Discounted Couple and Family 500 Visa Health Insurance guide.
Not necessarily. Finding affordable OSHC is important, but the lowest price should not be the only factor you consider when choosing Student Visa health insurance.
When comparing OSHC policies, students should also consider:
A lower-priced policy may be suitable for one student but may not provide the features another student considers important.
The aim should therefore be to find affordable OSHC that meets the applicable Student Visa requirements and is suitable for your circumstances, rather than selecting a policy based solely on price.
Comparing OSHC can help you understand the differences in available prices and policy features before choosing your Student Visa health insurance.
When obtaining a quote, enter the correct information for your circumstances, including your required cover dates and whether you need single, couple or family OSHC.
At 500 Visa Insurance, you can compare available OSHC options from:
Review the available prices and policy information before selecting the option that is suitable for your circumstances.
For a side-by-side comparison, visit our OSHC comparison page.
There is no single OSHC provider that will necessarily be the cheapest for every international student. Prices can vary depending on the insurer, required period of cover and whether you need single, couple or family OSHC. Comparing available policies based on your own circumstances can help you find an affordable option.
Yes. Comparing available OSHC policies allows you to review prices and policy features before making a decision. At 500 Visa Insurance, you can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib.
The price of a policy alone does not determine whether it is appropriate for a Student Visa. International students should ensure they obtain appropriate OSHC for the required period and review the relevant policy terms, benefits, limits and exclusions before purchasing.
Couple and family OSHC can cost considerably more than single-student cover. Prices can also vary between insurers, so students requiring cover for eligible family members should compare available policies based on their particular circumstances.
Students can generally change OSHC providers, but you should arrange the replacement policy carefully to maintain the required continuous cover. Before switching, also check matters such as waiting periods, refunds and the commencement date of the new policy.
Not necessarily. OSHC policies are designed to meet applicable requirements, but benefits, limits, exclusions, provider arrangements and additional services can differ between policies and insurers. Price should therefore be considered alongside the policy features that are important to you.
You can use the 500 Visa Insurance comparison service to compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib based on your required cover details.
Your health insurance needs 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 for your circumstances. You can learn more about and compare 485 visa health insurance options separately.
If your parents or other eligible family members are visiting Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), they can separately compare 600 visitor visa health insurance options.
Finding the cheapest Student Visa 500 health insurance is not simply about choosing the policy with the lowest displayed premium. OSHC prices can vary depending on the insurer, required period of cover and whether you need single, couple or family insurance.
By comparing available OSHC policies from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib, international students can review pricing and policy features and choose cover that is suitable for their circumstances and Student Visa requirements.
Before purchasing, consider both the cost of the policy and the benefits, limits and conditions that apply to the cover.
At 500 Visa Insurance, you can compare available Student Visa 500 OSHC options in one place and select the policy that best suits your needs.