Moving to Perth for Study? Here's Everything You Must Know About OSHC

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2025-08-18

Perth offers a balance of a fun lifestyle and quality education. Top universities here welcome students from various cultures. Hence, giving you a chance to connect with them. This is why it is one of the most student-friendly cities in Australia. But before you get to experience all of this, there’s one important requirement every international student must meet. That is getting an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
OSHC isn’t just a formality. Rather, it’s your safety net while living away from home. Here’s a detailed guide on OSHC in Perth — what it is, why it matters, how to compare plans, and tips to find the cheapest OSHC without compromising on quality.

What is OSHC and Why Do You Need It?
Mandated by the Department of Home Affairs, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a health insurance for student visa holders in Australia. It is compulsory to maintain an active OSHC for the entire duration of your stay. This insurance serves as a support in a foreign land, helping cover medical expenses such as GP visits, hospital stays, ambulance, and some pharmaceuticals.

The healthcare system in Australia is on par. Citizens have access to Medicare facilities; however, for a temporary visitor, it can be expensive without insurance. This is because temporary visitors aren’t eligible for Medicare. Considering how a single hospital visit can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. OSHC ensures you’re protected financially and have access to necessary health services.

OSHC in Perth: What Students Typically Face
Top providers like NIB, Bupa, Allianz Care, Medibank, and AHM offer a variety of OSHC plans. So many options can make it harder to know what’s best. Therefore, students moving to Perth often find OSHC overwhelming at first. 
Universities often include OSHC in the offer letter, but you have the freedom to compare and choose your own OSHC policy.
Sarthak is from India and is now pursuing his studies at Curtin University. He says, "I bought OSHC from my university’s recommended provider, but later found out I could’ve saved over $150 if I had compared plans. I didn’t know I could choose my own provider. Sites like Budget Policy make that process easy.

How to Compare OSHC Plans: Key Factors to Consider
If you are looking to compare OSHC plans in Australia, keep a check on the following:

Coverage and Extra Benefits- Some providers offer services like 24/7 telephonic support, mental health support, online consultations and more. If you think you’d require access to these besides the basic services included in your plan, choose a provider who offers the same.

Price- Protecting your health is necessary; so is being mindful of your budget. This is where Budget Policy becomes useful. On this platform, you can compare policies side-by-side and find the cheapest OSHC in Australia 
Waiting Periods- Make sure that you are well-informed about the services mentioned in your plan that require you to serve a waiting period before accessing benefits. 

Partnered Hospitals- Check if your OSHC provider has agreements with hospitals in Perth. It can make claims easier and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Which OSHC Provider is Best in Australia?
Only registered providers in Australia can offer an OSHC. However, owing to the distinct needs of each individual, you need to choose a provider that offers a plan that fits your health as well as your budget requirements. Here’s a brief of the top providers we’ve partnered with:

NIB OSHC: Great online portal, fast claim processing
Bupa OSHC: Excellent hospital network, wide coverage
Allianz Care: Trusted name, flexible plans
Medibank OSHC: Strong brand, good student support
AHM OSHC: Affordable options, digital-first

You can compare OSHC policies across all these providers on Budget Policy.
Linh from Vietnam says, "I was nervous about falling sick abroad. I used Budget Policy to compare OSHC and chose Medibank. They covered my GP visit in Perth last month without any paperwork issues. It gave me real peace of mind."

Why Choose Budget Policy?
Moving to Perth is an exciting new chapter, and health worries should not weigh down your excitement. Budget Policy is a dedicated OSHC and OVHC platform focused on helping students and visitors get the best plan in their budget. Our platform is simple, transparent, and designed specifically for international students. To ensure you get the best, we’ve partnered with Australia’s top providers — NIB, Bupa, Allianz Care, Medibank, and AHM. 
Head to Budget Policy today, compare OSHC plans, and secure your policy in minutes. It’s fast, easy, and could save you hundreds of dollars.