Overseas Student Health Cover is a unique type of health insurance available to foreign students in Australia (OSHC). OSHC is insurance created to assist international students in paying for any necessary hospital and medical care while studying in Australia. It is crucial that overseas students obtain their Australian international student health insurance before leaving their home country due to these regulations.

Which insurers offer OSHC?

Currently, there are 5 insurers that offer OSHC which can be purchased through your academic institution or directly on your own:

• Australian Health Management

• BUPA Australia

• Medibank Private

• Allianz Global Assistance (subcontracted by Lysaght Peoplecare)

• nib OSHC

What is covered by OSHC?

The OSHC plan is made to offer coverage for medical services at a hospital or doctor’s office as well as for a small number of prescription prescriptions to overseas students. In order to make sure you receive the coverage you require, it’s vital to get in touch with each OSHC provider as coverage will vary depending on the plan you choose.

You should enquire about the plan’s waiting periods, exclusions, and other restrictions. Any treatment scheduled prior to arriving in Australia, treatment provided in and outside of Australia, and travel into or out of Australia are not covered by the OSHC insurance plan. Dental, optical, or physiotherapy services are often not covered by OSHC either.