International students studying in Australia on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) generally need to maintain appropriate health insurance for the required period of their stay. For most international students, this is provided through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
OSHC is designed specifically for international students and can provide benefits towards eligible medical and hospital expenses while they are studying in Australia. However, policies can differ in price, benefits, limits, waiting periods and policy conditions.
Understanding your Student Visa health insurance requirements and comparing available OSHC options can help you choose cover that is suitable for your circumstances and budget.
At 500 Visa Insurance, students can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place.
For a detailed explanation of OSHC, read our Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) guide.
International students on a Subclass 500 Student Visa generally use Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to meet applicable health insurance requirements while studying in Australia.
OSHC should be arranged for the period required for your Student Visa circumstances. If eligible family members, such as a spouse, partner or dependent children, are included in your visa arrangements, appropriate health insurance may also be required for them.
When arranging Student Visa 500 health insurance, consider:
Students should make sure their health insurance arrangements remain appropriate if their course, visa or family circumstances change.
Visa Condition 8501 requires applicable visa holders to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia.
For Student Visa holders who are subject to this condition, maintaining appropriate health insurance is therefore an important part of complying with their visa conditions.
For a more detailed explanation, read our Visa Condition 8501 for International Students guide.
Overseas Student Health Cover is designed to help international students with eligible healthcare costs while studying in Australia.
Depending on the insurer, policy and circumstances, OSHC may provide benefits towards services such as:
The amount paid by your insurer can depend on the particular service, policy benefits and limits, healthcare provider charges and other policy conditions.
Not necessarily. Having OSHC does not mean that every healthcare service will be fully covered.
You may still have an out-of-pocket cost where, for example:
Routine dental treatment, glasses, contact lenses and some other ancillary services are also not generally included in standard OSHC.
For a detailed explanation, read our What Does OSHC Not Cover in Australia? guide.
The type of OSHC you need depends on who needs to be covered. When comparing Student Visa 500 health insurance, make sure you select the policy category appropriate for your circumstances.
Single OSHC is generally designed to cover one international student.
If you are studying in Australia without eligible family members who need to be included in your cover, single OSHC will generally be the relevant policy category.
Couple or dual OSHC is designed to cover an international student together with an eligible spouse or partner, subject to the insurer's policy terms and eligibility requirements.
Couple cover can cost considerably more than single OSHC, so it is important to compare available options based on your circumstances.
Family OSHC can provide cover for an international student and eligible family members, such as a spouse or partner and dependent children.
The definitions of eligible dependants and the structure of family policies can vary between insurers. Check the particular policy carefully before purchasing.
For more information about policies covering family members, read our Couple and Family Student Visa 500 Health Insurance guide.
OSHC policies can differ in price, benefits, limits, waiting periods and other policy conditions. Comparing available options can help you understand these differences before choosing your Student Visa health insurance.
At 500 Visa Insurance, students can compare available OSHC options from:
When comparing policies, consider:
There is no single policy that will necessarily be the cheapest or most suitable for every international student. Your available price and options can depend on your cover dates, policy type and circumstances.
For more guidance before choosing a policy, read our How to Choose OSHC for International Students guide.
The cost of OSHC for a Student Visa 500 is not the same for every student. Your premium can vary depending on the insurer, required period of cover and the type of policy you choose.
Factors that can affect the cost include:
Rather than relying on a single advertised price, students should obtain a quote using their actual required cover dates and policy type.
If keeping the cost down is important, compare available policies using the same cover dates and family circumstances.
However, price should not be the only consideration. Check the policy's benefits, waiting periods, limits and exclusions before choosing the lowest-priced option.
For more information, read our Cheapest Student Visa 500 Health Insurance in Australia guide.
Before purchasing Student Visa 500 health insurance, it is important to understand that some OSHC benefits may be subject to waiting periods, exclusions, limits and other policy conditions.
A waiting period is a period of time you may need to hold your policy before you can claim benefits for certain treatments or services.
Waiting periods can depend on the type of treatment and the terms applying to the particular policy. They may be relevant to areas such as pre-existing conditions and pregnancy-related services.
If you expect to require particular treatment, check the insurer's current policy documents before purchasing rather than assuming that benefits will be available immediately.
In addition to waiting periods, review:
Understanding these conditions can help you compare policies based on overall value and suitability, rather than price alone.
Your OSHC dates are important because your health insurance needs to cover the period required for your Student Visa circumstances.
When arranging your policy, consider:
Avoid choosing policy dates simply because they are the cheapest option. Your OSHC dates should be appropriate for your individual circumstances and applicable Student Visa health insurance requirements.
If your studies are extended or you apply for another Student Visa, you may need to extend your OSHC so that appropriate health insurance continues for the required period.
Check your existing policy's end date before arranging an extension to help avoid an unintended gap in cover.
If you complete your studies and move from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), your health insurance requirements change.
You should check the health insurance requirements applicable to your new visa and arrange suitable cover for the transition.
Students moving to a 485 visa can learn more at 485 Visa Insurance.
Arranging OSHC for a Student Visa 500 can be straightforward once you know your required cover details.
The process generally involves:
Before purchasing, make sure the information you provide is accurate, particularly your name, cover dates and policy type.
Evidence of appropriate health insurance may be relevant to your Student Visa application. After purchasing OSHC, your insurer will generally provide a certificate or confirmation of cover containing your policy details.
Check the document carefully and keep a copy for your records.
For a more detailed walkthrough, read our Step-by-Step Guide to Getting OSHC for the Subclass 500 Visa.
Choosing and maintaining OSHC requires more than simply purchasing the lowest-priced policy. Some common mistakes can result in unexpected costs or problems with your health insurance arrangements.
Try to avoid:
Taking time to check these details can help you maintain appropriate cover and avoid unexpected problems during your studies in Australia.
International students are generally required to maintain appropriate health insurance for the relevant period of their stay in Australia. For most Student Visa 500 holders, this is provided through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
International students generally use OSHC. The appropriate policy will depend on factors such as the required cover period and whether you need single, couple or family cover.
OSHC prices vary depending on factors such as the insurer, required cover dates and policy type. Students should compare quotes using their actual circumstances rather than relying on a single advertised price.
Eligible partners and dependent children may be covered under an appropriate couple or family OSHC policy. Eligibility definitions and policy structures can differ between insurers.
Students can generally change OSHC providers, but the transition should be managed carefully. Check your existing and new cover dates, waiting-period arrangements, refund conditions and other policy terms before switching.
No. OSHC may provide benefits towards eligible healthcare services, but exclusions, benefit limits, waiting periods and provider charges can result in out-of-pocket expenses.
For more detailed answers about cover, waiting periods, dependants, changing policies, Medicare and other common topics, visit our Student Visa 500 Health Insurance FAQs.
Choosing appropriate health insurance is an important part of preparing for and maintaining your Student Visa 500 arrangements in Australia.
Before purchasing OSHC, consider your required cover dates, whether you need single, couple or family cover, the benefits available under the policy, waiting periods, exclusions, benefit limits and potential out-of-pocket costs.
Rather than choosing a policy based on price alone, compare the available options based on both cost and suitability for your circumstances.
At 500 Visa Insurance, international students can compare available OSHC options from Allianz Care, Bupa and nib in one place.
For assistance with comparing Student Visa 500 health insurance:
Email: info@500visainsurance.com.au
Call: 0479 070 270
WhatsApp: +61 479 070 270