Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a specially designed health insurance plan for international students studying in Australia. It ensures students have access to essential medical services, hospital care, and emergency treatment while living in Australia.
OSHC is mandatory for all Subclass 500 visa holders and is required under Visa Condition 8501. Without it, students cannot maintain compliance with their visa, and their application or stay in Australia could be at risk.
OSHC protects students from high medical costs, supports their well-being, and provides peace of mind so they can focus on their studies.
You can compare and purchase OSHC from all major providers easily at www.500visainsurance.com.au
Student Visas Require Health Insurance
All international students in Australia on a Subclass 500 Student Visa must maintain adequate health insurance throughout their stay. Maintaining OSHC ensures:
-
Compliance with Visa Condition 8501
-
Access to medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergency care
-
Protection from unexpected medical costs
With 500 VISA HEALTH INSURANCE, students can compare policies from all major providers, select the best plan for their needs, and obtain their OSHC certificate instantly.
What’s Included in OSHC Cover
Doctor’s Treatment
OSHC covers general practitioner (GP) visits for:
-
Routine consultations and preventive care
-
Specialist referrals
-
Diagnostic tests such as blood work and X-rays
Coverage generally includes 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for GP visits and up to 85% for specialist services.
Hospital Treatment
OSHC covers accidents, emergencies, and hospital admissions. Coverage may include:
-
Emergency and in-patient treatment
-
Surgeries and procedures
-
Hospital accommodation fees
Coverage levels vary among providers and agreements with private hospitals.
Ambulance Cover
Most OSHC policies include emergency ambulance transport or urgent on-the-spot treatment.
Note: Non-emergency ambulance trips may not be covered, so it’s important to review each policy.
Compare & Receive Your OSHC Certificate Within Minutes
With www.500visainsurance.com.au, you can:
-
Compare policies from major OSHC providers
-
Understand policy inclusions and exclusions
-
Purchase a compliant policy online
-
Receive your OSHC certificate immediately
This process is fast, simple, and hassle-free, helping students submit accurate visa applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need OSHC?
Yes. OSHC is mandatory for all international students. Without it:
-
Your visa may be non-compliant
-
You may face high medical costs
-
You may risk visa cancellation
Students can compare all providers easily at www.500visainsurance.com.au.
Can I Switch My OSHC Provider?
Yes. Considerations include:
-
Maintaining continuous coverage
-
Reviewing policy benefits, waiting periods, and inclusions
-
Cancelling the previous policy and requesting a pro-rata refund
Switching is simple through www.500visainsurance.com.au.
What If I Graduate and Stay in Australia?
After graduation, OSHC is no longer valid. Students who wish to remain in Australia must switch to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
-
Students applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) need 485 visa-compliant insurance.
-
Suitable policies are available and compared at www.485visainsurance.com.au.
This ensures continuous health coverage while staying in Australia post-graduation.
Who Else Can Be Covered Under OSHC?
OSHC can also cover:
-
Spouse/partner
-
Children accompanying the student
Coverage and premiums vary among providers.
How Long Do I Need OSHC?
OSHC must cover:
-
The entire duration of your studies
-
Any additional time you remain in Australia after completing your course
Lapses in coverage may result in visa cancellation.
What Does OSHC Cover?
Typical OSHC benefits include:
-
GP visits – Routine and preventive care
-
Hospitalisation – Emergency admissions, surgeries, inpatient care
-
Surgery – Medically necessary procedures
-
Prescription medicines – Subject to policy limits
-
Emergency ambulance services
Some policies may include physiotherapy, chiropractic, and optical services.
When Will I Receive My Policy Certificate?
Certificates purchased via www.500visainsurance.com.au are emailed within minutes.
-
Policy extensions or date changes may take 24–48 business hours.
Can I Buy a Single Policy if I Am a Dependent on Someone Else’s Student Visa?
-
Separate student visas: each person buys their own policy
-
Dependent on another visa: couple policy required (usually more expensive due to higher claim risk)
I Am on a Bridging Visa – What Insurance Do I Need?
-
Continue OSHC if your most recent visa was a student visa
-
Purchase 12 months if uncertain about duration and refund unused months later
-
485 visa applicants must select compliant OVHC policies from www.485visainsurance.com.au
I Don’t Have My OSHC Card
Activate your membership on the insurer’s website using certificate details. Delivery usually takes 7–10 business days.
Can I Cancel My OSHC?
Cancellation and refunds allowed in cases such as:
-
Did not commence studies
-
Visa extension refused
-
Leaving Australia early
-
Granted permanent residency or another visa
-
Outside Australia for 3+ months
-
Overlapping OSHC coverage
-
Incorrect personal details
-
Student visa refused
To know more details, email info@policydirect.com.au or call +61479070270, You can also send whatsapp message on +61479070270.
How Can I Switch OSHC Providers?
-
Purchase a new OSHC policy via www.500visainsurance.com.au
-
Cancel your current policy
-
Receive a pro-rata refund for unused coverage
Switching is simple and ensures continuous coverage.
Insurance for Other Visa Holders
485 Temporary Graduate Visa
Students finishing their studies in Australia and applying for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa must obtain 485 visa-compliant health insurance.
-
Coverage ensures compliance with visa requirements
-
Can be compared and purchased easily at www.485visainsurance.com.au
600 Tourist Visa
Visitors coming to Australia on a Subclass 600 Tourist Visa may also require 8501-compliant visitor health insurance.
-
Provides coverage for medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergencies
-
Can be purchased online at www.600visainsurance.com.au
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a specially designed health insurance plan for international students studying in Australia. It ensures students have access to essential medical services, hospital care, and emergency treatment while living in Australia.
OSHC is mandatory for all Subclass 500 visa holders and is required under Visa Condition 8501. Without it, students cannot maintain compliance with their visa, and their application or stay in Australia could be at risk.
OSHC protects students from high medical costs, supports their well-being, and provides peace of mind so they can focus on their studies.
You can compare and purchase OSHC from all major providers easily at www.500visainsurance.com.au
Student Visas Require Health Insurance
All international students in Australia on a Subclass 500 Student Visa must maintain adequate health insurance throughout their stay. Maintaining OSHC ensures:
- Compliance with Visa Condition 8501
- Access to medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergency care
- Protection from unexpected medical costs
With 500 VISA HEALTH INSURANCE, students can compare policies from all major providers, select the best plan for their needs, and obtain their OSHC certificate instantly.
What’s Included in OSHC Cover
Doctor’s Treatment
OSHC covers general practitioner (GP) visits for:
- Routine consultations and preventive care
- Specialist referrals
- Diagnostic tests such as blood work and X-rays
Coverage generally includes 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for GP visits and up to 85% for specialist services.
Hospital Treatment
OSHC covers accidents, emergencies, and hospital admissions. Coverage may include:
- Emergency and in-patient treatment
- Surgeries and procedures
- Hospital accommodation fees
Coverage levels vary among providers and agreements with private hospitals.
Ambulance Cover
Most OSHC policies include emergency ambulance transport or urgent on-the-spot treatment.
Note: Non-emergency ambulance trips may not be covered, so it’s important to review each policy.
Compare & Receive Your OSHC Certificate Within Minutes
With www.500visainsurance.com.au, you can:
- Compare policies from major OSHC providers
- Understand policy inclusions and exclusions
- Purchase a compliant policy online
- Receive your OSHC certificate immediately
This process is fast, simple, and hassle-free, helping students submit accurate visa applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need OSHC?
Yes. OSHC is mandatory for all international students. Without it:
- Your visa may be non-compliant
- You may face high medical costs
- You may risk visa cancellation
Students can compare all providers easily at www.500visainsurance.com.au.
Can I Switch My OSHC Provider?
Yes. Considerations include:
- Maintaining continuous coverage
- Reviewing policy benefits, waiting periods, and inclusions
- Cancelling the previous policy and requesting a pro-rata refund
Switching is simple through www.500visainsurance.com.au.
What If I Graduate and Stay in Australia?
After graduation, OSHC is no longer valid. Students who wish to remain in Australia must switch to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
- Students applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) need 485 visa-compliant insurance.
- Suitable policies are available and compared at www.485visainsurance.com.au.
This ensures continuous health coverage while staying in Australia post-graduation.
Who Else Can Be Covered Under OSHC?
OSHC can also cover:
- Spouse/partner
- Children accompanying the student
Coverage and premiums vary among providers.
How Long Do I Need OSHC?
OSHC must cover:
- The entire duration of your studies
- Any additional time you remain in Australia after completing your course
Lapses in coverage may result in visa cancellation.
What Does OSHC Cover?
Typical OSHC benefits include:
- GP visits – Routine and preventive care
- Hospitalisation – Emergency admissions, surgeries, inpatient care
- Surgery – Medically necessary procedures
- Prescription medicines – Subject to policy limits
- Emergency ambulance services
Some policies may include physiotherapy, chiropractic, and optical services.
When Will I Receive My Policy Certificate?
Certificates purchased via www.500visainsurance.com.au are emailed within minutes.
- Policy extensions or date changes may take 24–48 business hours.
Can I Buy a Single Policy if I Am a Dependent on Someone Else’s Student Visa?
- Separate student visas: each person buys their own policy
- Dependent on another visa: couple policy required (usually more expensive due to higher claim risk)
I Am on a Bridging Visa – What Insurance Do I Need?
- Continue OSHC if your most recent visa was a student visa
- Purchase 12 months if uncertain about duration and refund unused months later
- 485 visa applicants must select compliant OVHC policies from www.485visainsurance.com.au
I Don’t Have My OSHC Card
Activate your membership on the insurer’s website using certificate details. Delivery usually takes 7–10 business days.
Can I Cancel My OSHC?
Cancellation and refunds allowed in cases such as:
- Did not commence studies
- Visa extension refused
- Leaving Australia early
- Granted permanent residency or another visa
- Outside Australia for 3+ months
- Overlapping OSHC coverage
- Incorrect personal details
- Student visa refused
To know more details, email info@policydirect.com.au or call +61479070270, You can also send whatsapp message on +61479070270.
How Can I Switch OSHC Providers?
- Purchase a new OSHC policy via www.500visainsurance.com.au
- Cancel your current policy
- Receive a pro-rata refund for unused coverage
Switching is simple and ensures continuous coverage.
Insurance for Other Visa Holders
485 Temporary Graduate Visa
Students finishing their studies in Australia and applying for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa must obtain 485 visa-compliant health insurance.
- Coverage ensures compliance with visa requirements
- Can be compared and purchased easily at www.485visainsurance.com.au
600 Tourist Visa
Visitors coming to Australia on a Subclass 600 Tourist Visa may also require 8501-compliant visitor health insurance.
- Provides coverage for medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergencies
- Can be purchased online at www.600visainsurance.com.au