Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Everything you need to know about OSHC — what it is, who needs it, how it works, and where to compare plans from Australia's five approved providers.
What is OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance specifically designed for international students studying in Australia. It provides cover for medical and hospital services similar to those available to Australian residents through Medicare.
OSHC is a mandatory visa condition for all Student Visa (Subclass 500) holders. You must maintain OSHC for the entire duration of your student visa — from the day you arrive in Australia until the day your visa expires.
There are five government-approved OSHC providers in Australia. You can purchase OSHC directly from a provider or through one of the comparison sites listed below.
Key things to know
OSHC is visa condition 8501. All Student Visa (500) holders must maintain it for the entire duration of their visa. No exceptions.
Your OSHC must cover you from arrival to visa expiry — including any gap between your course end date and visa end date. If you extend your visa, extend your OSHC.
If your OSHC lapses, you may be in breach of your visa conditions. This can lead to visa cancellation. If you discover a gap, arrange new cover immediately.
The Australian Government approves only five providers to offer OSHC: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, and nib. No other insurer can provide OSHC.
What does OSHC generally cover?
The exact coverage depends on your provider and plan level, but OSHC generally includes:
Coverage details vary between providers and plan levels. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of the specific plan you are considering.
The 5 approved OSHC providers
Only these five providers are approved by the Australian Government to offer OSHC. You can visit their websites directly to get quotes and purchase cover.
Where to compare OSHC plans
These independent comparison sites let you compare pricing and features across the five approved OSHC providers. We list them as a convenience — we have no commercial relationship with any of these sites.
We are immigration lawyers — not insurance brokers.
We cannot advise on which OSHC policy to choose. But if you have questions about your student visa, your visa conditions, or what happens if your insurance lapses — that is exactly what we do.
Nilesh Nandan has 27 years of experience across every visa category. 4.8 stars from 500+ Google reviews.
Frequently asked questions about OSHC
OSHC is just one part of your student visa journey. If you have questions about your visa, compliance, or next steps — talk to an immigration lawyer.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia. It is not financial advice or insurance advice. We do not sell, recommend, or receive commissions from any insurance product. The provider and comparison site links are provided as a free resource. Always confirm current pricing, coverage, and eligibility directly with the provider before purchasing. MyVisa Insurance is operated by MyVisa Lawyers. For immigration advice, book a consultation at myvisa.com.au.