Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Overseas student health cover

All international students coming to Australia on student visas are required to have private health insurance for the duration of their visa. Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Depending on the institution attended, students are required to join one of the following three registered health funds:

• Medibank Private
• Queensland Teachers’ Union Health Fund Limited
• National Mutual Health Insurance

 
Premiums vary, depending on the length of stay in Australia, but generally are  appr. A$360 A$/year. Application forms for OSHC are available from registered providers and most educational institutions.

People who visit Australia on non-student visas and undertake short-term study programs of less than three months duration are not eligible for OSHC.