Health Insurance

Overview

What is OSHC and why do I have to purchase it?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory insurance to assist international students meet the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay limited benefits for pharmaceuticals and ambulance services, depending on the plan.

To get an Australian student visa, you must have purchased OSHC. You can purchase coverage via your university when you accept your offer, or directly from an OSHC provider.

Only primary student visa holders (you, the student) are eligible to purchase “Single” OSHC. If you plan to take a dependent with you (e.g., your spouse or de facto partner), then you must purchase “Dual/Couple” coverage. You’ll need “Family” coverage if more than one dependent (children younger than 18) will be coming with you to Australia (e.g., spouse and child(ren)).

The Department of Home Affairs requires international students to maintain OSHC for the duration of time they are in Australia. For further information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Who offers OSHC?

OSHC is only offered by the following approved providers:

I already have health coverage here in Canada. Can I use this coverage in Australia?

Unless the coverage is offered by one of the preferred providers listed above, it will not be approved by the Australian Government as meeting the necessary requirements for your time in Australia. As this is the case, you can maintain any coverage you have here if it will cover travel and any other requirements you need, but you will need to purchase a proper OSHC policy from one of the approved providers to meet the requirements of an Australian student visa.

What does OSHC cover?

OSHC provides a safety net for international students. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance, and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines).

OSHC insurers usually offer two types of policies – basic or additional coverage.

All OSHC insurers must include the following services in their basic policy:

  • Doctor (GP)*
  • Specialist doctors*
  • Hospital treatment in a public or private hospital
  • Surgery
  • Blood tests and x-rays*
  • Ambulance services for emergency treatment*
  • Some prescription medicines – up to $50 per item up to $500 (single) or $1000 (couple/family) per year.

*The benefit amount listed in Australia’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS, list of medical services).

You may choose to compare policies from different OSHC insurers before selecting your insurer. Before purchasing the policy, check the costs and benefits to ensure that it meets your needs. Please visit Flywire’s OSHC Insurance Australia for more information.

You can choose to buy additional cover. Additional cover is more expensive and includes all the basic services listed above, plus services such as dental, physiotherapy, optical services, private psychology, counselling, and repatriation. Each OSHC insurer offers different services under additional coverage, so it’s a good idea to check the services included in your OSHC package and compare with other OSHC insurers.

What does OSHC not cover?

Each policy does offer slightly different options, though the basics required for a person studying in Australia are typically the same. Standard/basic OSHC typically doesn’t not cover dental, optical, physiotherapy or other extras treatments. You can arrange additional (“extras” or “ancillary”) coverage with your OSHC provider at an additional cost.

Most OSHC policies will not cover

  • treatment arranged before coming to Australia;
  • treatment needed while travelling to or from Australia;
  • transportation of an overseas student or dependent into or out of Australia for any reason; or
  • treatment covered by provisions for compensation and damages.

Some policies have waiting periods on pre-existing conditions. This means you cannot claim for costs arising during the waiting period if such costs arise from a pre-existing condition.

#OzTREKKStudentTip: “If you need to see a specialist doctor while in Australia, call your insurer before your appointment to ensure everything will be covered and to get any required paperwork in advance.”

How much does OSHC cost?

The costs associated with OSHC will vary depending on individual insurers and their policies, the type of cover required, and the duration. 

Having OSHC is mandatory for all international students and is required when applying for your student visa. OSHC for the full duration of your studies will be outlined in your offer letter and must be paid in full when you accept your offer.

Annual costs you can expect to pay up front (estimated):

  • Single – AUD$750 x the number of years of your degree
  • With partner – AUD$2,750 x the number of years of your degree
  • Family – AUD$4,000 x the number of years of your degree

As an example, if you are taking a partner and completing a 4-year degree, you can expect to pay roughly AUD$2,750 x 4 years = AUD$11,000 to accept your offer.

How do I purchase OSHC?

Most international students arrange to pay for their OSHC through their educational institution when they accept their offer; however, you can purchase OSHC from a preferred provider on your own. You retain the right to choose your own OSHC provider even when your educational institution makes a specific recommendation because they have negotiated a preferred provider arrangement with a particular insurer.

If you choose to compare prices and purchase your own OSHC, you can get additional helpful information about how to do so on page.

 

What are the differences between OSHC my uni offers and purchasing coverage on my own?

You are welcome to compare prices of other insurance providers. Some of the main differences can be cost, coverage variations (like waiting periods for certain benefits), and the admin process (purchasing through the university vs. direct).

For single OSHC, you may save a few hundred dollars if you purchase your policy through an alternate provider from; however, if you plan to take a partner/or family, the plan through your university will be the best deal.

Should you choose to purchase OSHC on your own, your coverage must start the moment you land in Australia and last until the end of your student visa grant period. You must also provide confirmation of your OSHC coverage with the appropriate cover dates when accepting your offer.

OSHC and Changes to your visa

Changing the length of your visa will affect your OSHC. If you finish your studies early and your visa is no longer valid, you can get a refund for the remainder of your OSHC cover. If you extend your visa, you’ll need to purchase additional cover. You can organize this by contacting your insurance provider.

Provincial Health Coverage

You must alert your provincial government to let them know you’ll be leaving the country for an extended period. Check out the link for your province and be sure to let them know you’ll be studying outside Canada.