Generally Covered
Eligible doctor services, hospital treatment, medically necessary emergency ambulance and some prescription medicines.
OVERSEAS STUDENT HEALTH COVER
What Does OSHC Cover?
OSHC helps international students with eligible medical and hospital costs while studying in Australia. Here is a simple guide to what base OSHC generally covers, what may involve out-of-pocket costs, and what usually needs extra cover.
Benefits, limits, waiting periods and provider arrangements vary. Always check the relevant policy documents before purchasing or claiming.
OSHC can help with
✓ Doctor visits✓ Hospital treatment✓ Emergency ambulance✓ Some medicines
AT A GLANCE
Understanding your OSHC benefits
Base OSHC is designed around essential medical and hospital care. It does not mean every healthcare bill will be paid in full.
May Have a Gap
Your provider may pay a set benefit based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), while the doctor or service may charge more.
Usually Needs Extras
Routine dental, optical and physiotherapy are generally not included in base OSHC. Additional cover may be available.
CORE COVER
What base OSHC generally helps pay for
Doctors & GP Visits
Benefits are generally available for eligible out-of-hospital medical services. A gap can apply if the provider charges above the benefit payable by your insurer.
Medical servicesHospital Treatment
OSHC provides benefits for eligible treatment as an admitted patient in hospital. The amount payable can depend on the hospital, treatment and insurer arrangements.
Hospital careEmergency Ambulance
Base OSHC includes benefits for approved ambulance transport when medically necessary for hospital admission or emergency treatment.
Emergency transportPrescription Medicines
OSHC includes limited benefits for eligible prescription medicines. Benefit caps apply, so students can still have significant out-of-pocket costs for expensive medicines.
Limited benefitBlood Tests & Pathology
Eligible pathology services can attract OSHC benefits when they are covered medical services. Gap fees may still apply.
Eligible testsX-rays & Medical Imaging
Benefits may be payable for eligible diagnostic imaging services such as x-rays where the service is covered under the applicable medical benefit rules.
Diagnostic services
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
OSHC does not always mean “no cost”
A gap fee is the amount left for you to pay after your OSHC insurer pays its benefit. A doctor, specialist, test provider or hospital may charge more than the benefit your policy pays.
Before non-emergency treatment, ask the provider what they charge and check with your OSHC insurer what benefit may be payable.
Simple example
Provider fee$80
OSHC benefitPolicy dependent
You may payThe remaining gap
This is an illustration only, not a quote or benefit guarantee.
COMMON EXTRAS
What is generally not included in base OSHC?
These services are commonly outside standard base OSHC. Some insurers offer additional or extras cover that can provide benefits towards them.
🦷DentalRoutine dental treatment
👓OpticalGlasses and contact lenses
🧘PhysiotherapyGeneral physiotherapy services
🧠Some allied healthAdditional cover may be required
Need extras? Compare the additional cover offered by each insurer rather than assuming it is included with the base OSHC policy.
01
Pre-existing conditions
Waiting periods can apply before benefits are payable for treatment relating to a pre-existing condition. The rules and how a condition is assessed should be checked with the insurer.
02
Pregnancy-related treatment
Pregnancy-related benefits and waiting-period arrangements require particular attention. Rules can depend on the policy and cover duration, so confirm the current terms before choosing cover.
WAITING PERIODS
When cover may not start immediately
A waiting period is a period of time you must hold your policy before you can claim certain benefits. Emergency-treatment rules can differ from ordinary waiting-period rules.
Read the OSHC FAQs →
BEFORE YOU BUY
5 things to check in an OSHC policy
- 1Doctor & specialist benefits
Check how benefits are calculated and when gap fees can arise.
- 2Hospital arrangements
Check hospital agreements, eligible treatment and possible out-of-pocket costs.
- 3Waiting periods
Understand when waiting periods apply, especially for relevant pre-existing or pregnancy-related treatment.
- 4Medicine limits
Check per-item and annual limits for eligible prescription medicines.
- 5Extras you actually need
If you want dental, optical or physiotherapy benefits, check additional cover options.
QUICK ANSWERS
OSHC coverage FAQs
Does OSHC cover GP visits?
Base OSHC generally pays benefits towards eligible out-of-hospital medical services, including eligible GP services. A gap may apply if the doctor charges more than the benefit payable.
Does OSHC cover specialists?
Benefits may be payable for eligible specialist medical services. Referral requirements, MBS eligibility and the provider's fee can affect your out-of-pocket cost.
Does OSHC cover hospital stays?
OSHC provides benefits for eligible admitted hospital treatment. What you pay can depend on the hospital, treatment, doctor fees and your insurer's arrangements.
Does OSHC cover ambulance?
Base OSHC includes benefits for approved ambulance transport when it is medically necessary for admission to hospital or emergency treatment.
Does OSHC cover prescription medicine?
OSHC includes limited benefits for eligible prescription medicines. Per-item and annual benefit limits apply, so out-of-pocket costs can remain.
Does OSHC cover blood tests and x-rays?
Benefits can apply to eligible pathology and diagnostic imaging services. Gap fees may apply depending on the service fee and benefit payable.
Does OSHC cover dental?
Routine dental treatment is generally not included in base OSHC. You may be able to purchase additional or extras cover.
Does OSHC cover optical?
General optical services such as glasses and contact lenses are generally not part of base OSHC. Additional cover may be available.
Does OSHC cover physiotherapy?
General physiotherapy is generally treated as an extras service rather than a base OSHC benefit. Check additional-cover options if you need it.
Can I still have out-of-pocket costs with OSHC?
Yes. Gap fees, policy limits, waiting periods and services outside your cover can result in out-of-pocket costs.
Does OSHC cover emergency treatment?
OSHC can provide benefits for eligible emergency medical and hospital treatment, subject to the policy terms, applicable benefits and any relevant exclusions.
Are pre-existing conditions covered by OSHC?
Eligible treatment may be covered, but waiting periods can apply to treatment relating to pre-existing conditions. Check the insurer's current rules and policy wording.
Does OSHC cover pregnancy-related treatment?
Eligible pregnancy-related medical and hospital treatment may receive benefits, but waiting periods and other policy conditions can apply. Check the specific insurer's current terms.
Does OSHC pay the full cost of every medical service?
No. The benefit payable can be less than the provider's fee, leaving you with a gap payment. Benefit limits and services outside the policy can also create out-of-pocket costs.
What should I check before receiving planned treatment?
Ask the healthcare provider about their fees and check with your OSHC insurer whether the service is covered, what benefit may be payable and whether a waiting period or other restriction applies.
READY TO COMPARE?
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General information only: This page is a general guide and does not describe every benefit, exclusion, waiting period or limit of every OSHC policy. Product terms and benefits can change. Check the insurer's current policy documents and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances before purchasing.