As you prepare for your international study experience in Victoria, you’ll have a long to-do list before you can embark on this exciting adventure. One of the most important things to organise is your health cover.
Getting Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) isn’t just essential for your peace of mind, but it’s also a requirement for your visa.
OSHC: What it is and why you need it
OSHC is health insurance specifically designed for overseas students in Australia.
During your time here, if you fall sick or get injured, you will be able to access the Australian public health system without having to pay large sums out of pocket fees. However, any claim you make must be processed through your OSHC.
It is a requirement of your Student (subclass 500) visa that you purchase and maintain your OSHC for the entire length of your stay. Your cover must start on or before the day you arrive and must not expire before your visa expires. If you bring someone with you, like a guardian or spouse, they must also be covered by your OSHC for the duration of their stay.
If you decide to extend your stay and get another visa, you’ll have to purchase additional insurance to make sure you have continuous coverage. Depending on the type of visa you get, this may mean purchasing a different type of insurance. For instance, if you become a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holder, you’ll need to switch to Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).
Remember, you cannot use health insurance from an overseas provider; you must purchase a plan from an Australian insurer to meet your visa conditions.
Certain OSHC exemptions apply. For instance, if you are from a country that has a government-to-government agreement with Australia that covers your insurance requirements, you may not need OSHC. These countries include Belgium, Norway and Sweden. For further information, please visit the Private Health website.
What does OSHC cover?
OSHC makes it easy to access a wide range of medical services while living and studying in Australia.
For example, your OSHC will cover visits to a doctor, which are also commonly known as general practitioners (GP) in Australia. Your OSHC can also help you pay for emergency care, such as ambulance rides and hospital treatments. Your insurer may require you to use doctors and health professionals in its network, so check with them to be sure.
What you’re able to access will depend on the level of cover you have. Some OSHC plans will just include the basics, while more expensive options will allow you to access extras, such as physiotherapy, dental appointments or optical services.
Read your policy in full before you buy it to ensure you’re familiar with what’s covered, how to access services when you need them and how to make insurance claims.
OSHC providers
There are several insurers that offer OSHC to international students, making it easy to find a plan that meets your needs, including:
When choosing your OSHC provider, start by checking in with your educational institution, as it may have a preferred provider.
If not, we recommend comparing providers and policies and checking the details of each plan to find the one that’s right for you. You can even visit OSHC Australia to make this comparative process even easier.
Don’t forget to look out for additional services that can help you make the most of your coverage. For example, certain insurance companies offer helpful incentives for overseas students, such as 24-hour support lines and retail discounts.
How to get OSHC
When it’s time to purchase your cover, you can easily do this online via your chosen provider’s website. Once you’ve made your payment, the provider will send you an email to confirm your cover.
Make sure you keep your confirmation email somewhere safe - such as a designated “Study Abroad” folder in your inbox - as you’ll need to include this as a part of your visa application.
If you’re unable to complete your studies in Australia for any reason, you can typically request a full OSHC refund by getting in touch with your provider directly.
Learn more about OSHC
You can find further information about OSHC and other relevant visa requirements via the Department of Home Affairs.
Private health insurance
Along with your OSHC you might want to consider purchasing additional private health insurance to cover items that your OSHC does not cover.
You can take out private health insurance to cover just you or your family as well. Benefits, membership costs and eligibility can vary greatly between funds and insurance policies, so when buying health insurance take care to ensure the cover you select is suitable for your needs.
You can find more information at: PrivateHealth.gov.au.
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