The short answer
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance that most international students must hold for the whole time they are on a Student visa in Australia. You usually arrange it before you apply for the visa, and you keep it active until your visa ends.
What OSHC is for
OSHC helps you pay for medical care while you study. A typical policy covers visits to doctors, some hospital care and limited medicines, and often includes some emergency ambulance cover. It is designed for students and is not the same as a general travel insurance policy. Always read the policy document to see exactly what is included and what is excluded.
How to choose
Your university may recommend or arrange a preferred provider, and several approved providers offer OSHC. When you compare, look at:
- Cover period: it must cover the whole period of your visa.
- Type of policy: single, couple, family, or single parent policies. Pick the one that matches who is travelling.
- Waiting periods: some conditions or treatments may have waiting periods.
- Exclusions and limits: dental and optical are commonly extra, and some services have annual limits.
- How claims work: whether you pay first and claim back, or can use direct billing at certain providers.
- Support: is there help in a language you are comfortable with, and a phone line you can use easily?
How it fits into your visa journey
- Accept your offer and receive your CoE.
- Arrange OSHC for your full visa period.
- Keep the confirmation. You will use it for your visa application and to show your university.
- After you arrive, carry your OSHC card or have a digital copy, and learn how to book a doctor.
Checklist
- To do: Check the Home Affairs page for the current OSHC requirement for your situation
- To do: Compare approved OSHC policies and note the exclusions
- To do: Choose the right policy type for who is travelling
- To do: Make sure the policy covers your whole visa period
- To do: Save the confirmation and policy number in your document vault
- To do: After you land, locate your nearest clinic and learn how to claim
Common mistakes
- Choosing the cheapest option without reading the exclusions.
- Buying cover for a shorter period than your visa.
- Forgetting to extend cover if you extend your studies or visa.
- Assuming OSHC covers every cost, including dental, optical or some specialist care.
- Losing your policy details when you need them in a hurry.
Verify before you act
OSHC rules, approved providers and policy options are updated from time to time. Check the official pages: Study Australia and Home Affairs.