500 Student Visa
Health Insurance (OSHC)

Student visa holders generally need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and accompanying dependants for the required period of their stay. Limited exemptions can apply in specific circumstances.

Home Affairs guidance says OSHC should generally start at least one week before your course begins and cover the duration of your stay. If you plan to arrive earlier, make sure your insurance is appropriate from the date you need cover.

Your OSHC should cover the period required for your Student visa circumstances. Keep the policy current while you are required to maintain OSHC and avoid gaps in cover.

OSHC assists with eligible medical and hospital treatment and includes ambulance cover and limited pharmaceutical benefits. Exact benefits, limits and out-of-pocket costs vary by policy.

Basic OSHC includes benefits toward eligible doctor services, including GP and specialist services. The amount paid can depend on the applicable MBS fee and the insurer's policy terms.

OSHC includes benefits toward eligible treatment in public or private hospitals, subject to the policy's benefits, agreements, exclusions and any applicable waiting periods.

Yes. OSHC includes ambulance benefits, although the circumstances and level of benefit are governed by the policy and OSHC requirements.

OSHC includes limited pharmaceutical benefits. Students can still face out-of-pocket costs, particularly for expensive medicines, so check the insurer's current limits before purchasing.

Standard OSHC does not generally include extras such as dental, optical or physiotherapy. Optional extras or general treatment cover may be available separately.

Waiting periods can apply to certain pre-existing conditions. Coverage and waiting periods should be checked in the insurer's current policy documents before you rely on a benefit.

OSHC can provide benefits for eligible pregnancy-related treatment, but waiting periods may apply. If pregnancy cover may be important to you, check the applicable waiting period and benefits before choosing a policy.

Yes. Students can choose their OSHC insurer and can change insurer during their studies. Make sure there is no break in cover and check how refunds, waiting periods and transferred membership are handled.

Yes. Couple, single-parent and family OSHC policies are available for eligible students with partners or dependants. Your policy type should match the people who need to be covered under your Student visa arrangements.

OSHC is specifically for eligible overseas students, while Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is used by many visitors, workers and other temporary visa holders. The appropriate cover depends on your visa status and requirements.

When you are no longer eligible to hold OSHC, you may need to move to another type of health cover, such as OVHC, depending on your next visa or residency status. Arrange the transition early to avoid an unintended gap in cover.