Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a key requirement for all international students who plan to study in Queensland.
OSHC means you will always have access to essential medical care and services during your stay, helping you manage healthcare costs.
What is OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover is a mandatory health insurance policy for international students on a student visa (subclass 500) in Australia. OSHC covers a range of healthcare costs, including hospital treatment, medical services, and prescription medications, while studying in Queensland.
Having OSHC is necessary as it’s the only way you can access essential healthcare services and medical treatment without facing huge out-of-pocket expenses. It’s a requirement by the Australian government that international students have OSHC for the entire duration of their stay in Australia.
Why do I need OSHC?
- Access to the Australian healthcare system: Overseas health cover means you can access medical services, including doctor visits and hospital treatments, which can be expensive without insurance.
- Compliance with visa requirements: To maintain your subclass 500 student visa, you must have OSHC for your entire stay in Australia. This is a condition set by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Financial protection: Healthcare costs and ongoing health support in Australia can be high. OSHC gives overseas students financial protection by covering a large portion of medical expenses and reducing the financial burden.
For further information about OSHC, visit the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman website.
What if I'm on a bridging visa?
If you’re on a bridging visa while transitioning between different visa types, you’ll still need to maintain health insurance cover. Although OSHC is not mandatory for bridging visas, it’s highly recommended so you always have adequate health cover to avoid high medical costs.
What does OSHC cover?
The compulsory minimum (basic) OSHC plan covers:
- Visits to the doctor (GP), specialists and other medical professionals in the Australian health system.
- Both in-patient and out-patient hospital services.
- Emergency ambulance transportation.
- Limited cover for prescription medications.
The exact coverage details can vary between providers and plans, so do your research and review the specifics of each policy. Some insurers may have more comprehensive health insurance plans available.
Can OSHC cover my partner or family members?
Yes, while OSHC is mainly designed to cover the international student, many OSHC providers have family policies where you can add family members who come to Australia as dependents. These policies allow the primary visa holder (the student) to include their partner (spouse or de facto partner) and dependent children in the same policy. It is important to review the Product Disclosure Statement of any policy you are considering to ensure it suits your needs.
Where can I purchase OSHC?
Overseas students can compare and take out OSHC from approved providers (e.g. Medibank, ahm, Allianz Care, nib and more). Make sure your policy meets your needs and budget – it’s a good idea to compare plans and prices online through comparison websites, or directly with the provider.
You might also be able to purchase overseas student health cover through your educational institution, a migration agent, or an education agent acting as an intermediary. Always verify that the provider is approved by the Australian government to offer OSHC.
Can I switch my OHSC provider?
Yes, you can switch your overseas student health cover provider if you find a better plan or if your circumstances change. However, make sure you don’t have any gaps in your cover.
Before switching, compare policies and check for any waiting periods or exclusions that might apply. Inform both your current and new providers about your decision in advance.
Keeping your OSHC up to date
Having adequate health insurance is a very important part of being an international student in Australia. Make sure to renew your overseas student health cover before it expires to avoid any gaps in coverage.
Be aware that continuous coverage is not only a visa requirement, but also essential for you to retain access to medical services when needed. Keep track of your OSHC expiry date and set reminders for renewal. If you decide to switch providers, ensure that your new policy starts before your current one ends.