Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is an Australian government-mandated health insurance program for international students studying in Australia. It is a type of insurance that provides overseas students with coverage based on the Australian Medicare system.
Students can make agreements with their educational institution to pay for their OSHC. Because they have signed a preferred provider agreement with a certain insurer, students can choose their own OSHC provider even if their educational institution makes a specific recommendation.
If you want to visit Victoria on a student visa, temporary graduate visa, or visitor's visa, you must secure travel or private medical insurance for yourself and any dependents traveling with you.
What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of insurance that covers the costs of medical and hospital care and is necessary for student visa holders studying in Australia. Many prescription medicines (as mentioned on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) and ambulance transport in emergency medical conditions are also covered by OSHC.
While in Australia, all student visa holders are expected to have proper health insurance. This means that the insurance must begin when the student arrives in Australia on a student visa and continue until the student leaves the country or changes to a non-student visa category. Even if their course has not yet begun, a student visa holder in Australia who does not have health insurance is in violation of visa condition 8501. When applying for a student visa, students must provide proof of this.
When to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover
Before you arrive in Australia, make arrangements and pay for Overseas Student Health Cover.
This health insurance must be in effect for the term of your student visa. This is a condition for obtaining a visa.
OSHC will cover you and your family for medical appointments, some hospital care, ambulance coverage, and limited pharmaceutical drugs throughout your stay.
How to choose an OSHC insurer
OSHC health insurance is available through your educational institution or through an OSHC insurer's website.
On the OSHC Australia website, oshcaustralia.com.au, you may compare providers and learn more about Overseas Student Health Cover.
Check your policy for what's covered
Check your policy's blueprint to see what types of expenses are covered. You may be required to pay a 'gap' payment on occasion. When the cost of medical care is only partially covered by health insurance, this occurs. The gap is the portion of the cost that is not covered by insurance and is the amount you must pay.