Published June 2, 2026
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Insurance is a form of student visa health insurance needed for foreign students visiting Australia for studies purposes. This type of insurance will cover a portion or full payment in case of having to attend a hospital or see a physician, as well as an ambulance ride or pharmacy medicine fees.
Is OSHC Required for International Students in Australia?
In case you want to study in Australia and are an international student, then it is likely that you will need student visa health insurance, which is also known as overseas student health cover (OSHC). In order to enter the country, you should have appropriate student visa health insurance because it is mandatory, but there are certain exceptions, such as being from a country that has reciprocal health care arrangement with Australia. It is important to note that OSHC should be obtained prior to coming to Australia.
What is covered under OSHC insurance?
Under OSHC insurance, you will be helped to receive some necessary treatment in Australia, which includes seeing a doctor, hospital admission, pathology test, pharmacy medications, as well as ambulance ride to the hospital.
Under OSHC laws, all insurance policies must provide coverage for:
- medical care outside of hospitals:
- 100 percent Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fees for medical care inside hospitals (for example, surgery or treatment by a specialist),
- public hospital services (for instance, shared room accommodations, after-care services, emergency department expenses),
- private hospital services (it depends on whether any contractual agreements have been made before in regard to your insurance policy),
- a number of surgically inserted prosthetic implants (including joint replacement)
- prescription medication worth no more than $50 per item, but with a minimum annual limit of total benefits provided by the company equal to $500 for one individual.
- Ambulance services.
However, as each insurance policy has its price, it is possible that different companies will cover various levels of particular treatments or medical care. Moreover, some insurance companies also include additional benefits such as repatriation.
What are the exemptions when having OSHC is not required?
There are some cases in which an international student does not require OSHC; however, such exemptions exist for only those who come from certain countries with which Australia has reciprocal healthcare arrangements enabling the treatment of eligible students under the Australian Medicare system.
According to the advice of the Department of Home Affairs, the exemptions apply in cases where a student is:
- A Norwegian student who has coverage under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
- A Swedish student whose healthcare scheme under Kammarkollegiet covers him/her.
- A Belgian student under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and Belgium.
However, these exemptions are applicable only to these countries; students coming from other places would still require OSHC.
How do you get OSHC insurance?
OSHCA insurance may be purchased through institutions where you are enrolled or through the assistance of migration agents and educational agents representing such institutions. Alternatively, you can purchase it online at an insurance company’s website. Even if your institution recommends a particular OSHC provider, you can select your own OSHC provider.
What is the need for Overseas Student Health Cover in Australia?
Foreign students cannot avail of the Australian public health service, and therefore, will have no choice but to rely on private health insurance in order to meet their health care expenses. That is the reason why Australia has required OSHC for foreign students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Do all international students need OSHC in Australia?
Pretty much, yes. If you are applying for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500), having Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your entire stay is a mandatory visa condition. There are only a tiny handful of exceptions based on reciprocal government agreements—specifically for Belgian, Norwegian, and some Swedish students—but for the vast majority of international students, OSHC is non-negotiable.
When should I buy OSHC?
You need to sort this out before you lodge your visa application, as you will need to provide proof of cover to the Department of Home Affairs. Your cover must start from the day you land in Australia, not just the day your classes start. While your university or college will almost certainly push their preferred partner on you during enrollment, you are under no obligation to use them.
Can I choose my own OSHC provider?
Absolutely. Universities often bundle a specific provider into your offer letter out of convenience, but you are completely free to shop around. There are only a few government-approved providers in Australia (like Medibank, Bupa, Allianz Care, NIB, and AHM). It pays to compare them directly, as prices and campus support networks vary significantly.
Does OSHC cover visits to a doctor?
Yes, but here is how it actually works on the ground in Australia. OSHC covers the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for a General Practitioner (GP). If you go to a clinic that "bulk bills" and has an agreement with your provider, they bill your insurer directly, and you pay nothing. If the doctor charges above the government standard rate, you have to pay the difference out of your own pocket—this is known locally as the "gap fee."
Does OSHC cover ambulance services?
Yes, standard OSHC policies cover 100% of emergency ambulance transport. This is incredibly important in Australia, as a single emergency ambulance ride without insurance can easily cost you upwards of $1,000 depending on which state you are studying in. Note that it only covers actual emergencies where you need immediate hospital transport, not casual rides.
Are dental and optical services included in OSHC?
No. Standard OSHC only covers essential medical and hospital treatments—think of it as a safety net for your general health. Routine dental check-ups, major dental work, glasses, and contact lenses are completely excluded. If you want these covered, you will need to purchase separate "Extras" cover, which can be added to your policy for an extra fee.
Can my spouse or children be covered under my OSHC policy?
Yes, you can upgrade your policy from a Single premium to a Couples or Family policy. Just be aware that the price jump between a single policy and a family policy is often quite steep, so factor this into your moving budget early on. Anyone listed on your student visa as a dependent must be covered.
What happens if my OSHC expires while I am studying?
If your cover lapses, you are breaking Visa Condition 8501. The Department of Home Affairs can cancel your visa for this. Beyond the legal risk, you are financially exposed. If you end up in an Australian hospital without active cover, the daily fees can be financially devastating. Always renew your policy before the expiry date.
Can I change my OSHC provider after arriving in Australia?
Yes, you aren't locked in forever. If you find a better deal or prefer a provider with a support desk on your campus, you can switch. You will just need to buy the new policy first to ensure zero gap in coverage and then apply for a pro-rata refund from your old provider for the remaining months.
Is OSHC the same as Medicare?
No. Medicare is Australia’s public universal healthcare system funded by taxpayers, reserved for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and a few specific visa types. OSHC is a privatized equivalent designed to give international students a similar level of medical access and protection without placing a burden on the domestic tax system.
How much does OSHC cost in Australia?
It depends entirely on your situation, your provider, and how long you are studying. For a single student, a standard policy typically costs between $500 and $700 per year. However, if you need a Couples or Family policy, the price jumps drastically—often costing anywhere from $3,000 to over $6,000 per year. Because prices vary significantly between the government-approved providers, it heavily pays to compare premiums for your exact course duration before locking anything in.
Can I get a refund on my OSHC policy?
Yes, you can get a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your policy under specific circumstances. The most common reasons include having your student visa refused, leaving Australia permanently before your visa expires, or switching to a different approved OSHC provider. Just keep in mind that providers usually require official documentation (like a visa refusal letter or proof of departure) to process the payout, and some may charge a small administration fee.
What does OSHC not cover?
Standard OSHC is strictly designed for essential medical and hospital care, meaning it leaves out a lot of day-to-day healthcare. It generally does not cover routine dental care, glasses or contact lenses, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatments, or cosmetic surgery. It also excludes non-emergency ambulance rides and medicines not listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). If you want coverage for these services, you will need to pay for a separate "Extras" policy.
