Top Tips for Choosing the Right OSHC Plan for Your Australian Studies

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2025-05-15

If you are planning to move to Australia on a student visa, by now you are already familiar with Overseas Student Health Cover- OSHC. OSHC is a mandatory health insurance plan you need to get before applying for a student visa in Australia. If you view it from a bird's-eye view, this might seem to be a mere requirement for visa compliance. However, if you introspect, you’ll realise how beneficial getting an OSHC is, even if the visa compliance is kept off the table.

Your Protection Ensured with OSHC
Health is Wealth, quite literally! Imagine being miles away from home, with no one by your side, to take care of you when you fall sick. Your OSHC policy is a sigh of relief in situations like these. You wouldn’t have to worry about:

Doctor and Specialist Visits
In-Hospital Treatment
Selected Prescription Medications
Emergency Ambulance
24/7 Health Advice Line

This is what a basic OSHC plan covers. However, there is a pool of government-approved OSHC providers who provide extra benefits or additional private health insurance cover. This helps you get a cover for all the extras not included in the OSHC plan.

Choosing the Right Plan
The right plan is the one that best fits your requirements and budget. Here’s a stepwise breakdown to make sure you choose the right plan-

KNOWING YOUR NEEDS
Analyse whether you need regular dental/eye checkups, specific treatments like physiotherapy, or any therapies like chiropractic or acupuncture. Based on the results of this analysis, review your OSHC plan and product disclosure statement. You can choose a comprehensive cover instead of a basic one to cover these extras.

COMPARING PLANS
As already mentioned, the basic OSHC plan has certain limitations. One of them is that extras are not covered in the plan. However, various providers provide additional cover for these extras. You’ll need to compare these plans to see which services they cover and choose the one you need. Budget policy eases this step for you. Our OSHC comparison tool lets you compare plans from various top providers. 

ASSESSING BUDGET AND PREFERENCES
You would want to see whether an additional extras cover is sufficient to meet all your preferences, or you will need to get a separate plan to cover extras. As you analyse this, keep your budget in mind as well. Before you get an OSHC policy and move to Australia, consider seeking treatments for any pre-existing conditions.

Getting Assistance from an Agent
Started exploring yet? You might have realised that making the right choice for your overseas student health cover feels unachievable. You choose an option, only to find another option that seems to be more promising. With no aid, you stay stuck in this loop. 

An experienced professional can help clear the fog for you. He/she will take time to understand your preferences and budget. You’ll then receive advice tailored to your needs. The agent will also present the cheapest OSHC in Australia, without overlooking your preferences. After all, who doesn’t like to save a few bucks? Budget policy brings to you the chance to avail offers and maximise your savings. We have registered MARA agents on board who will guide you through the process and make it feel smooth like butter. 

There are numerous things on the to-do list to take care of before you move to a new country for your education. With guidance from our best professionals, OSHC will be checked off the list by us.