The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy is for those planning to pursue their studies at an Australian educational institute and have a subclass 500 study visa. The health insurance policy covers the costs of medicine or hospital care. It pays for a particular portion of pharmaceuticals and ambulance services.

An Overseas Student Health Cover health insurance policy comprises three covers — single (covers the student visa holder), couple (covers the 500 study visa holder and one adult spouse), and family (cover the 500 study visa holder, one spouse, and one or more dependent children under the age of 18).

If overseas students extend their stay in Australia, they will also need to extend or renew their OSHC policy before the due date. It will help them avoid breaching their visa condition.

Students from Belgium, Norway, or Sweden do not need an OSHC health insurance policy for their entire stay in Australia because their respective governments have adequate agreements.

Why do I Purchase OSHC Policy?

To get an Australian subclass 500 visa, a student must purchase an OSHC health insurance policy.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requires overseas students to maintain an OSHC health insurance policy during their stay in Australia.
Before purchasing an OSHC health insurance policy, the students must contact many OSHC policy providers to select the best policy according to their visa type. Academic institutions provide OSHC policies to international students. However, many academic institutions have tie-up with only one health insurance provider. On the contrary, Budget Policy, a third-party company, has tie-ups with many OSHC health insurance policy providers and allows students to compare OSHC and purchase the most suitable one. The students who cannot get a health insurance policy risk getting a visa cancellation.
Insurance Proof - Once the student completes the application, they will be asked to provide proof of payment and confirmation that the OSHC policy will begin after they arrive in Australia.

Top Health Insurance Providers

Budget Policy believes in providing high-quality services to its clients at the lowest possible prices by keeping the profit margin in the back seat. They are one of Australia’s top and most trusted health insurance policy intermediaries. In addition, they also offer health insurance policies for all kinds of visas to Australia. Here are some world-renowned health insurance providers they are associated with.

NIB
BUPA
Medibank
AHM

What Primary Services does OSHC Offer?

The primary services OSHC policy offers are — doctor fees, hospital treatment, prosthetic devices, limited pharmaceuticals, day surgeries, ambulance cover and access to private hospitals. Basic OSHC policy does not offer optical, dental and physiotherapy treatments.

Does OSHC Policy Cover All Medical and Hospital Expenses?

Yes! In most cases, OSHC policy will cover a good proportion of the costs. It would be best if a student spoke to the OSHC providers and compare OSHC before purchasing the policy to ensure they have the best cover, with the lowest price and highest benefits.

What if I Need Treatment while Staying in Australia?

Visit a doctor or visit the public hospital emergency department of the public hospital.
Many educational institutions have doctors on campus or nearby.
OSHC health insurance providers have direct billing relationships with medical clinics to ensure a student can access treatment with no or minimal expenses.
The doctor will refer a student if any treatment is required.
A student can choose a private or public hospital, but before selecting the hospital, ensure that the hospital is linked with the OSHC provider to cover all expenses.
Contact the OSHC provider before going to a public hospital and ensure a student is covered in a non-emergency.
In an emergency, a student should go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department.

How Long Does Student Need to be Covered?

One must get an OSHC policy for the proposed duration of the student visa and renew their OSHC policy if they extend the length of their visa.

Can a Student Transfer to a Different OSHC Policy Provider?

Yes, a student can transfer to a different OSHC policy provider anytime. However, in some cases, a minimal amount of processing fees may be charged.