Learn How to Buy OSHC in Minutes with Budget Policy

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2025-10-07

Got your acceptance letter from an Australian university? You might think that the next step is getting into the visa process, and you aren’t entirely wrong. However, there’s one thing — your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) that needs to be on the table before anything else. You’ve probably already heard about it as a visa condition. 

While OSHC is often perceived as another formality, without which your visa application will get stuck, it goes beyond just that. It saves you from hospital bills that can run into thousands of dollars.

The Stress Around Buying an OSHC Plan

A lot of students get stressed when buying a plan — which insurer to pick, how long the cover should run, whether family members are included, and how to get the certificate in time for the visa lodgement. Buying Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) doesn’t have to feel this complicated. With Budget Policy, it literally takes minutes — you can compare plans from various providers and buy completely compliant OSHC online. But before you rush in, let’s break it down properly.

What OSHC Actually Means for Students

At its core, OSHC is a health insurance, which is mandatory for international students in Australia. If we look beyond this visa condition, it keeps you from paying thousands of dollars for medical care anytime you need it while studying there.

Think you end up breaking a bone one weekend while having fun with your mates. The cost of a single emergency visit in a situation like this can go over $3,000. A hospital stay? That can easily hit five figures. With OSHC, most of these costs are absorbed by the insurer instead of draining your savings or forcing you to call your parents back home in panic.

Why OSHC is Non-Negotiable for Your Visa

To be granted a student visa in Australia, you must meet Condition 8501, which requires you to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay. No exceptions.

The Department of Home Affairs checks this before approving your visa. If your cover doesn’t line up with your visa dates, or if you buy the wrong type (say, single instead of couple or family in case dependents are accompanying you), your application can be delayed or even refused.

Clearly, OSHC isn’t a choice, but rather a requirement for all international students in Australia.

Where to Buy OSHC

To buy OSHC, head to Budget Policy – a one-stop platform where you can compare all major OSHC providers, check prices side by side, and see what’s included and what’s not. After you buy the most suitable plan, you receive your policy certificate for visa lodgement almost instantly.
We have exclusive offers that help you save money. You also save time as you do not have to jump across tabs to compare insurers; you can compare them in one clean window on Budget Policy.

Steps to Buy OSHC

Here’s how to buy OSHC online in minutes with Budget Policy:

Step 1: Collect your details

• Full passport names and dates of birth (for you and dependents)
• Course start and end dates
• Planned arrival date

Step 2: Choose your policy type 

• Single – only you
• Couple – you + partner
• Family – you + partner + children

Step 3: Set your dates carefully

• Your cover must start the day you arrive (or earlier) and end on or after your visa expiry date.

Step 4: Compare providers

• See Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, AHM, and NIB in one place. Look at premiums, networks, ambulance rules, and pharmacy caps before you decide.

Step 5: Pay and download instantly

• Once paid, you’ll get your OSHC certificate and payment receipt immediately. Keep it safe — your visa case officer will ask for it.

That’s it. No endless forms, no chasing universities. Just a quick and compliant process.

What to Check Before Paying

Before you hit “Confirm,” make sure of a few things:

• Your full name matches your passport exactly.
• The cover dates include your full visa period.
• You’ve added dependents if they’re travelling with you.
• You’ve double-checked inclusions like hospital stays and GP visits.
• The policy certificate is generated instantly — don’t settle for “we’ll email later.”

Double-checking everything is a smart move to avoid delays due to any gap or mismatch in the information.

Comparing Providers the Smart Way

Let’s talk about the top OSHC providers and what they offer:

• NIB OSHC – Competitive pricing, strong provider network.
• AHM OSHC – Simple plans with easy claims.
• Bupa OSHC – Well-known for hospital coverage.
• Allianz Care OSHC – Digital tools, quick claims, easy online experience.
• Medibank OSHC – Strong reputation and good coverage.

Which one’s the best? That depends. If you’re tight on budget, NIB or AHM may feel right. If you want extra hospital benefits, Bupa or Medibank might suit you better. The point is — there’s no universal ‘best’. You need to find a plan that serves your needs the best.

Why Students Choose Budget Policy

Buying OSHC through Budget Policy isn’t just about saving a few dollars. It’s about clarity and speed.

• You see multiple providers side by side — no need to cross-check ten tabs.
• Inclusions and prices are clearly stated, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
• Policy certificates are instant. No waiting around, no follow-up emails.
• If your study plans change, you can update or extend your cover without restarting the whole process.

This is what makes Budget Policy stand out.

Final Word

Getting your visa approved isn’t only about forms and documents. It’s also about being prepared for real life in Australia. OSHC is your safety net — it ensures that an accident, illness, or hospital visit won’t derail your study journey.

The right cover keeps your visa application smooth and your finances protected. And with Budget Policy, you don’t spend days figuring it out. You can get it done in minutes.

So if you’re planning your move, do yourself a favour: compare, choose, and buy your OSHC from Budget Policy today, and you will thank yourself later.