Studying in Australia requires careful planning not only for education and living costs but also for health coverage. Since international students are not covered under Medicare, the Australian Government requires students and visitors to hold appropriate health insurance during their stay.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is a mandatory health insurance requirement for international students in Australia. It helps cover essential medical and hospital expenses so students can access healthcare without facing high costs.
What OSHC covers
- Doctor (GP) consultations
- Hospital treatment and emergency care
- Ambulance services (in most cases)
- Some prescription medicines
Important points
- Must be valid for your entire course duration
- Required for visa approval and maintenance
- Can include dependents (partner/children)
- Does not usually cover dental, optical, or physiotherapy unless upgraded
For short courses (generally under 3 months), different visa and insurance options may apply depending on eligibility.
Best OSHC providers in Australia
OSHC must be purchased from an approved provider and can be arranged for individuals, couples, or families depending on your situation.
Expert Education and Visa Services helps students choose the right OSHC plan based on their course, visa, and budget. We work with trusted providers such as Bupa, Medibank, ahm, nib, and Allianz Care Australia.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
OVHC is designed for people who are not covered under OSHC but still need health insurance while staying in Australia. This includes visitor visa holders, working visa holders, bridging visa holders, and working holiday visa holders.
Students who complete their studies and apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) must switch from OSHC to OVHC to maintain continuous health coverage.
Key points about OVHC
- Required for many temporary and working visa holders
- Must be active without gaps when switching from OSHC
- Covers hospital treatment and part of doctor consultation fees
- May include extra services like dental, optical, and physiotherapy depending on the plan
- Some policies also include limited pharmaceutical coverage
- More flexible payment options, including monthly instalments in many cases
OSHC vs. OVHC: Quick Comparison
|
Feature |
OSHC (Student Cover) |
OVHC (Visitor/Worker Cover) |
|
Visa Type |
Student (Subclass 500) | Graduate (485), Work (482), Visitor (600) |
|
Payment |
Upfront: Paid in full for visa duration. | Flexible: Monthly or fortnightly installments. |
|
Requirement |
Mandatory for all students. | Mandatory if your visa has Condition 8501. |
|
Network |
Medicare-style (GP, Hospital, Rx). | Tiered (Basic Hospital to Comprehensive). |