Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is an important part of studying in Australia on a Student Visa (Subclass 500). Students commonly have questions about when cover should start, what OSHC covers, how long it is required, whether family members can be included and what happens if their circumstances change.
This FAQ guide answers common questions about Student Visa 500 health insurance and helps international students better understand their OSHC options.
For a detailed explanation of OSHC, visit our Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) guide.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance designed for international students studying in Australia. It helps pay benefits towards eligible medical and hospital expenses while the student is covered.
OSHC can include benefits towards eligible services such as medical treatment, hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services and certain prescription medicines, subject to the particular policy's terms, limits and conditions.
Student Visa applicants are generally required to have appropriate health insurance for the relevant period of their stay in Australia. For most international students, this is provided through OSHC.
Health insurance requirements can depend on individual circumstances, so students should check the conditions applying to their visa and current Australian Government requirements.
Visa Condition 8501 requires a visa holder to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia.
OSHC is the health insurance generally used by international students to meet applicable Student Visa health insurance requirements.
For a detailed explanation, read our Visa Condition 8501 for Student Visa holders guide.
The required period of OSHC depends on your Student Visa circumstances and the period for which appropriate health insurance must be maintained.
When arranging cover, make sure the dates are appropriate for your circumstances rather than automatically adding an arbitrary number of months to your course dates.
If your study or visa arrangements change, check whether your OSHC also needs to be extended.
OSHC generally provides benefits towards a range of eligible healthcare services while you are covered in Australia.
Depending on the insurer, policy and circumstances, benefits may be available for:
The amount payable can depend on the service, provider charges, policy conditions and applicable benefit limits.
No. Having OSHC does not mean that every healthcare expense will be fully covered.
You may still have an out-of-pocket cost if, for example, a healthcare provider charges more than the benefit payable by your insurer, a benefit limit applies, a waiting period has not been completed or the particular service is excluded.
For more information, read our What Does OSHC Not Cover in Australia? guide.
Routine dental treatment, glasses and contact lenses are not generally included in standard OSHC.
Depending on the insurer and product, students may be able to purchase separate or additional Extras cover that provides benefits towards eligible dental, optical and other ancillary services.
OSHC may provide benefits towards certain eligible prescription medicines. However, benefit limits and other conditions can apply, and the policy may not cover the full cost of a medicine.
Students who regularly take prescription medication should check the insurer's current pharmaceutical benefits and limits before choosing a policy.
OSHC generally includes benefits for eligible emergency ambulance services, subject to the terms and conditions of the particular policy.
Students should check their insurer's current policy information to understand when ambulance benefits apply and whether any exclusions or limitations are relevant.
A waiting period is a period of time you may need to hold your OSHC before you can claim benefits for certain treatments or services.
Waiting periods do not necessarily apply to every service. The applicable periods can depend on the treatment, your circumstances and the terms of the particular OSHC policy.
Before purchasing cover, check the insurer's current policy documents so you understand which waiting periods may apply.
OSHC may provide benefits towards eligible treatment related to pre-existing conditions, but waiting periods and other policy conditions can apply.
If you have a pre-existing condition, check with the insurer before relying on the policy for treatment. You should understand when benefits become available and whether any limitations or exclusions apply.
OSHC may provide benefits towards eligible pregnancy and birth-related medical and hospital services. However, waiting periods and policy conditions can apply.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, check the policy carefully before purchasing cover. Consider the applicable waiting period, hospital arrangements, eligible benefits and potential out-of-pocket costs.
If treatment is required while an applicable waiting period is still being served, the insurer may not pay benefits for that treatment under the policy.
This could leave you responsible for some or all of the healthcare costs, depending on the circumstances.
For this reason, students should understand applicable waiting periods before purchasing OSHC, particularly if they expect to require specific medical treatment.
Depending on your circumstances and the insurer's policy structure, OSHC can provide cover for an international student together with an eligible spouse or partner.
If you are including your partner, make sure you select the appropriate policy type and check the insurer's eligibility requirements, benefits and conditions.
Eligible dependent children may be included under an appropriate family OSHC policy.
Definitions of eligible dependants and available family policy structures can differ between insurers, so check the particular policy before purchasing.
Single OSHC generally covers one international student.
Couple or dual OSHC generally provides cover for the student and an eligible spouse or partner, subject to the insurer's policy structure.
Family OSHC can provide cover for the student and eligible family members, subject to the policy's eligibility requirements.
The terminology used by insurers can differ, so compare the actual policy structure rather than relying only on the name of the cover.
Couple and family OSHC can cost considerably more than single cover. The actual premium will depend on factors such as the insurer, required cover dates and policy category.
Students requiring cover for eligible family members should compare available policies based on their actual circumstances.
For more information, read our Couple and Family OSHC guide.
Where eligible family members are included as secondary applicants or visa holders and are subject to applicable health insurance requirements, appropriate cover should be maintained for them as required.
Students travelling with family should therefore check the visa and OSHC arrangements applying to all family members, rather than arranging cover only for the primary student.
OSHC should be arranged through an appropriate OSHC insurer or authorised distribution channel. Before purchasing, compare the available price, policy type, benefits, waiting periods and other policy conditions.
At 500 Visa Insurance, students can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place.
When comparing OSHC, consider more than the premium. Important factors can include:
For more detailed guidance, read our How to Choose OSHC for International Students guide.
There is no single provider that will necessarily be the cheapest for every student. Prices can vary depending on your required cover dates, policy type and the options available at the time you obtain a quote.
If price is your main consideration, read our Cheapest Student Visa 500 Health Insurance guide.
After purchasing OSHC, the insurer will generally provide an OSHC certificate or confirmation of cover containing important policy information.
Check the certificate carefully to make sure details such as your name, policy number and cover dates are correct, and keep a copy with your important visa and insurance documents.
The process generally involves determining your required cover period, comparing available policies, selecting the appropriate policy type, purchasing the policy and obtaining your OSHC certificate or confirmation of cover.
For the complete process, read our How to Get OSHC for Student Visa 500 – Step-by-Step Guide.
Yes, students can generally change OSHC providers. However, the change should be arranged carefully so that you continue to maintain appropriate health insurance for your circumstances.
Before switching, compare the new policy's benefits, waiting periods, cover dates and other conditions.
Before changing providers, check:
Avoid cancelling your existing policy until you understand how the transition to the new cover will operate.
Check your policy end date before it expires. If you are still required to maintain appropriate health insurance, arrange any necessary extension or replacement cover in time to avoid an unintended gap.
If your studies or Student Visa circumstances have changed, check how long you need the new cover before extending the policy.
If your studies are extended or you apply for another Student Visa, you may need additional OSHC to cover the required period.
Check your existing policy end date and arrange any necessary additional cover based on your new circumstances.
Cancellation and refund eligibility depend on the insurer's terms and your circumstances. Refunds may be available in certain situations, but the applicable rules, documentation requirements and calculation methods can differ between insurers.
Before cancelling, contact the insurer and check:
The appropriate health insurance while holding a Bridging Visa depends on your individual circumstances, including your current visa status, the visa you have applied for and any conditions that apply to you.
If you previously held a Student Visa and are moving onto a Bridging Visa, do not automatically cancel your OSHC. Check your visa conditions and health insurance requirements, and confirm with your insurer whether your existing cover remains appropriate.
Your health insurance needs may change when you complete your studies, particularly if you apply for a different Australian visa.
Do not assume that your existing OSHC will be the appropriate cover for your next visa. Check the health insurance requirements that apply to your new visa and arrange suitable cover where required.
If you are moving from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), you should check the health insurance requirements applicable to the 485 visa and arrange suitable cover for your circumstances.
You can learn more about and compare 485 Visa health insurance options on our dedicated 485 Visa Insurance website.
Whether OSHC remains appropriate will depend on your new visa and circumstances. Different visa subclasses can have different health insurance arrangements.
When changing visas, check the requirements for the new visa and speak with your insurer about whether your current policy can continue or whether you need a different type of health insurance.
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with certain countries. Depending on the agreement and a person's eligibility, an RHCA may provide access to some Medicare benefits while they are in Australia.
The services available and eligibility requirements vary, so students should check the current Medicare rules that apply to their country and circumstances.
Some international students may be eligible for Medicare because of their nationality and Australia's Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with their home country.
However, Medicare eligibility and Student Visa health insurance requirements are separate matters. Students should not assume that access to Medicare automatically removes an OSHC requirement.
Being eligible for Medicare under an RHCA does not necessarily mean that you can stop maintaining OSHC.
Your health insurance obligations depend on the requirements and conditions applicable to your Student Visa and your individual circumstances.
Before changing or cancelling OSHC, check your visa requirements and the current Australian Government rules that apply to you.
No. Medicare and OSHC are different healthcare arrangements and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The healthcare services and benefits available through Medicare depend on eligibility and applicable rules, while OSHC benefits depend on the particular insurance policy.
Students eligible for both should understand what each arrangement provides rather than assuming that one completely replaces the other.
If you believe you are eligible for Medicare under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, check the current enrolment requirements with Services Australia.
Eligibility, documents and enrolment procedures can depend on your circumstances and the applicable agreement.
Understanding your OSHC requirements, benefits, exclusions and policy conditions can help you make a more informed decision about your Student Visa health insurance.
Before purchasing cover, consider your required policy dates, whether you need single, couple or family cover, applicable waiting periods and the benefits and limits available under each policy.
At 500 Visa Insurance, international students can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place.
For assistance with comparing available OSHC options:
Email: info@500visainsurance.com.au
Call: 0479 070 270
WhatsApp: +61 479 070 270