The cheapest OSHC for international students in Australia in 2026 is Allianz Care OSHC Standard at AUD 665/year for single cover, closely followed by ahm at AUD 672/year. Bupa offers the best coverage — 100% specialist reimbursement, optional dental/optical extras, a free online doctor service, and no mental health waiting period. All 5 providers are government-approved for the Student Visa (subclass 500). Single cover costs AUD 665–726 for 12 months in 2026 (about AUD 55–60/month).
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for every international student studying in Australia on a Visa 500. Without it, your visa application is rejected. Only 5 insurers are licensed by the Australian government to offer OSHC: ahm, nib, Bupa, Medibank, and Allianz Care. CBHS stopped selling new OSHC policies after 31 October 2025, leaving these 5 as your only options.
This guide compares all 5 providers with real 2026 prices, coverage details, and honest recommendations for every student scenario.
Quick Comparison: All 5 OSHC Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Annual (single) | Monthly (approx.) | Specialist cover | Mental health wait | Extras available | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Care (OSHC Standard) | AUD 665 | ~AUD 55 | 85% MBS | None | Check with insurer | Lowest price: single, couple and family |
| ahm | AUD 672 | ~AUD 56 | 85% MBS | 2 months (pre-existing conditions) | Check with insurer | Budget students |
| Bupa | AUD 712.80 | ~AUD 59 | 100% MBS | Waived | Yes (OSHC Extras add-on) | Best coverage overall |
| Medibank (OSHC Essentials) | AUD 719 | ~AUD 60 | 85% MBS | None | Check with insurer | Largest network |
| nib (OSHC Core) | AUD 725.81 | ~AUD 60 | 85% MBS | 2 months (pre-existing conditions) | Plans with dental benefits | Best app experience |
Note: All prices are for 12 months of single student cover in 2026, taken from each insurer’s own online quote. Couple and family rates vary significantly — see individual provider sections below. Cover for a longer visa is not simply the annual price × years, so get a quote for your exact visa dates. All 5 providers meet the minimum government standards for Visa 500.
ahm — Low-Cost Single Cover with the Medibank Network
Provider: ahm (wholly owned by Medibank) Annual price (single): AUD 672 Couple: AUD 6,686/year Family: AUD 13,544/year
ahm costs AUD 672/year for single cover — only AUD 7 more than Allianz Care OSHC Standard, the cheapest in 2026, and about AUD 54 less than nib. As a Medibank subsidiary, ahm uses the same hospital network but offers lower premiums through a simplified, online-first model.
What Is Covered
- Hospital: All public and private hospitals — no network restrictions
- Specialist: 85% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee
- GP visits: Bulk-billed GP visits cost nothing out of pocket. Non-bulk-billed visits are reimbursed at 100% of MBS
- Medication: Prescription medicines on the PBS list — up to AUD 50 per item, capped at AUD 500/year for single cover
- Ambulance: Emergency ambulance covered
- Mental health: Pre-existing mental health conditions covered after a 2-month waiting period
- Pregnancy: Covered after 12-month waiting period
Who Should Choose ahm?
ahm is right for you if: You are a single student who wants a low price together with the Medibank hospital network, you are generally healthy, and you do not need extras like dental or optical cover.
Not right for you if: You need dental or optical cover (check ahm’s current plans first — Bupa sells an OSHC Extras add-on and nib has plans with dental benefits), you want the absolute lowest price (Allianz Care OSHC Standard is AUD 7/year cheaper for single cover), or you want online doctor access.
Honest note: ahm is owned by Medibank. The two brands share the same parent company, hospital agreements, and claims infrastructure. The main difference is pricing and the availability of extras. ahm is the budget brand; Medibank is the full-service option.
nib — Best App Experience and Fast Claims
Provider: nib (ASX-listed health insurer) Annual price (single): AUD 725.81 (OSHC Core) Couple: AUD 6,402/year Family: AUD 15,979/year
nib is known for its excellent digital experience. The nib app consistently ranks highest among OSHC providers for ease of use, fast claims processing, and clear policy management. At AUD 725.81/year for single cover (OSHC Core), nib is the most expensive of the five for singles in 2026 — about AUD 61 more than Allianz Care.
What Is Covered
- Hospital: Public hospitals and nib agreement hospitals
- Specialist: 85% of MBS fee
- GP visits: 100% of MBS for bulk-billed visits; gap payments for non-bulk-billed
- Medication: PBS-listed medicines, capped at AUD 500/year
- Ambulance: Emergency ambulance covered
- Mental health: Pre-existing mental health conditions covered after a 2-month waiting period
- Pregnancy: Covered after 12-month waiting period
Who Should Choose nib?
nib is right for you if: You value a smooth digital experience, want fast claims processing through the app, and don’t mind paying a little more. nib quotes couple (AUD 6,402/year) and family (AUD 15,979/year) cover online — its family price is the highest of the five.
Not right for you if: You want optical extras (nib’s OSHC plans with dental benefits don’t make it a full extras policy — compare Bupa’s OSHC Extras add-on), you need immediate cover for a pre-existing mental health condition (2-month wait), or you are budget-focused (Allianz Care saves you about AUD 61/year on single cover).
Example: A 22-year-old IT student from Vietnam studying a 2-year Master’s at UNSW buys nib OSHC for her full visa period — nib quotes the exact price for her cover dates, because multi-year cover is not simply the annual price × 2. She uses the app to submit a GP claim and gets reimbursed within 48 hours — faster than any paper-based process.
Bupa — Best Overall Coverage
Provider: Bupa (global health insurer) Annual price (single): AUD 712.80 Couple: AUD 5,527.50/year (NSW quote) Family: AUD 13,691.04/year (NSW quote)
Bupa offers the most comprehensive OSHC in Australia. It is the only provider that reimburses specialists at 100% of MBS (all others pay 85%), it sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on for dental and optical, and it is the only one with a free online doctor service (Blua). The mental health waiting period is waived — you get coverage from day 1.
What Is Covered
- Hospital: Public hospitals and Bupa agreement hospitals
- Specialist: 100% of MBS fee — the highest reimbursement of any OSHC provider
- GP visits: 100% of MBS; gap payments may apply for non-bulk-billed visits
- Medication: PBS-listed medicines, capped at AUD 500/year
- Ambulance: Emergency ambulance covered
- Mental health: Covered from day 1 — no waiting period (waived)
- Pregnancy: Covered after 12-month waiting period
- Online doctor: Blua telehealth service included free — 24/7 access to a doctor via video call
- Optional extras: Dental and optical add-on available (additional cost)
Who Should Choose Bupa?
Bupa is right for you if: You want the best coverage available, you value specialist reimbursement at 100% MBS, you want mental health cover from day 1, or you need dental and optical extras. Its couple rate (AUD 5,527.50/year for an NSW quote) is the second-cheapest of the five.
Not right for you if: You want the absolute cheapest option (Allianz Care saves about AUD 48/year for single cover) and you are healthy with no need for specialist visits or extras.
Why 100% MBS matters: When you see a specialist, they typically charge above the MBS fee. With 85% MBS cover, you pay the gap between what the insurer reimburses and what the specialist charges. With Bupa’s 100% MBS cover, your out-of-pocket gap is smaller. On a AUD 300 specialist visit where MBS is AUD 200, you save AUD 30 compared to 85% MBS providers.
Medibank — Largest Hospital Network, No Mental Health Wait
Provider: Medibank (Australia’s largest health insurer) Annual price (single): AUD 719 (OSHC Essentials) Couple: AUD 6,031/year Family: AUD 14,121/year
Medibank is Australia’s largest health insurer and the parent company of ahm. It has agreements with every public and private hospital in Australia — the broadest network of any OSHC provider. Mental health coverage starts from day 1 with no waiting period, and prescription medicines cost up to AUD 70 per item. The AUD 821 figure quoted on some sites is Medibank’s higher OSHC Comprehensive cover, which is only sold through selected universities.
What Is Covered
- Hospital: All public and private hospitals — the broadest network of any OSHC provider
- Specialist: 85% of MBS fee
- GP visits: 100% of MBS for bulk-billed visits
- Medication: PBS-listed medicines, up to AUD 70 per item
- Ambulance: Emergency ambulance covered
- Mental health: Covered from day 1 — no waiting period
- Pregnancy: Covered after 12-month waiting period
Who Should Choose Medibank?
Medibank is right for you if: You want the broadest hospital network (important if you study in a regional area) or you need mental health coverage immediately. For couples and families it is mid-range: AUD 6,031/year for a couple and AUD 14,121/year for a family.
Not right for you if: You are a single student on a budget (ahm offers the same hospital network for AUD 47 less per year), or you want extras like dental and optical (Bupa sells an OSHC Extras add-on; nib has plans with dental benefits).
Medibank vs ahm: Both share the same parent company and hospital agreements. Medibank costs AUD 47 more per year for single cover. What you get for the extra cost: no mental health waiting period (vs 2 months for pre-existing conditions at ahm) and phone-based customer service with dedicated OSHC support. If you are healthy and comfortable managing everything online, ahm is the smarter choice.
Allianz Care — Cheapest for Singles, Couples and Families
Provider: Allianz Care Australia (partnered with Peoplecare) Annual price (single): AUD 665 (OSHC Standard) Couple: AUD 5,351/year Family: AUD 9,515/year
Allianz Care’s OSHC Standard is the cheapest OSHC in 2026 for all three cover types: AUD 665/year single, AUD 5,351/year couple and AUD 9,515/year family. The AUD 838 figure you may see elsewhere is Allianz Care’s higher “OSHC Essentials” tier, not its entry product. All five providers quote couple and family cover online, so you can compare them directly.
What Is Covered
- Hospital: Public hospitals and Allianz agreement hospitals
- Specialist: 85% of MBS fee
- GP visits: 100% of MBS for bulk-billed visits
- Medication: PBS-listed medicines, capped at AUD 500/year
- Ambulance: Emergency ambulance covered
- Mental health: Covered from day 1 — no waiting period
- Pregnancy: Covered after 12-month waiting period
- 24/7 support: Phone and online assistance available around the clock
Who Should Choose Allianz Care?
Allianz Care is right for you if: You want the lowest premium — single, couple or family — plus 24/7 phone support and day-1 mental health cover. Its family rate (AUD 9,515/year) is about AUD 4,000 below the next-cheapest provider (ahm, AUD 13,544/year).
Not right for you if: You want 100% MBS specialist reimbursement (only Bupa) or dental/optical extras (Bupa’s OSHC Extras add-on, or nib’s plans with dental benefits), or the broadest hospital network (Medibank and ahm).
Example: A 28-year-old PhD student from Brazil brings his wife and two children to Melbourne. For 12 months of family cover, Allianz Care OSHC Standard costs AUD 9,515 and Medibank OSHC Essentials AUD 14,121 — a difference of AUD 4,606 for the year. For the full 4-year PhD he asks each insurer for a quote for his exact visa dates, because multi-year prices are not simply the annual price × 4.
Head-to-Head Comparison: All 5 Providers
| Feature | ahm | nib | Bupa | Medibank | Allianz Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual price (single) | AUD 672 | AUD 725.81 | AUD 712.80 | AUD 719 | AUD 665 |
| Annual price (couple) | AUD 6,686 | AUD 6,402 | AUD 5,527.50 (NSW) | AUD 6,031 | AUD 5,351 |
| Annual price (family) | AUD 13,544 | AUD 15,979 | AUD 13,691.04 (NSW) | AUD 14,121 | AUD 9,515 |
| Specialist cover | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 100% MBS | 85% MBS | 85% MBS |
| Hospital access | All hospitals | Public/agreement | Public/agreement | All hospitals | Public/agreement |
| Medication cap | AUD 50/item, AUD 500/yr (single) | AUD 500/yr | AUD 500/yr | AUD 70/item | AUD 500/yr |
| Mental health wait | 2 months (pre-existing) | 2 months (pre-existing) | Waived (day 1) | None (day 1) | None (day 1) |
| Online doctor | No | No | Blua (free) | No | No |
| Extras (dental/optical) | Check with insurer | Plans with dental benefits | Optional OSHC Extras add-on | Check with insurer | Check with insurer |
| App quality | Good | Best | Good | Good | Average |
| Parent company | Medibank | nib Holdings | Bupa Group | Medibank | Allianz + Peoplecare |
Which OSHC Is Right for You? 5 Scenarios
Scenario 1: Budget Single Student
Best choice: Allianz Care OSHC Standard (AUD 665/year) or ahm (AUD 672/year)
You are a single student who wants the cheapest OSHC. You are generally healthy and do not need dental or optical coverage. Allianz Care OSHC Standard is the lowest single price in 2026 and ahm is only AUD 7/year more; both save you about AUD 41–61/year compared with Bupa, Medibank and nib.
Trade-off: No extras; at ahm, a 2-month wait for pre-existing mental health conditions.
Scenario 2: Student Who Wants the Best Coverage
Best choice: Bupa (AUD 712.80/year)
You want the most comprehensive protection. Bupa is the only OSHC with 100% specialist reimbursement and a free online doctor (Blua); it also sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on for dental and optical and waives the mental health waiting period. The premium is AUD 47.80 more than Allianz Care — about AUD 4 extra per month.
Scenario 3: Couple Studying in Australia
Best choice: Allianz Care (AUD 5,351/year)
All five providers quote couple cover online. Allianz Care OSHC Standard is the cheapest at AUD 5,351/year, followed by Bupa (AUD 5,527.50, NSW quote), Medibank (AUD 6,031), nib (AUD 6,402) and ahm (AUD 6,686). If the broadest hospital network matters more to you than price, Medibank costs AUD 680/year more.
Scenario 4: Family with Children
Best choice: Allianz Care (AUD 9,515/year)
Allianz Care OSHC Standard is also the cheapest family cover at AUD 9,515/year — about AUD 4,000 less than the next-cheapest options, ahm (AUD 13,544) and Bupa (AUD 13,691.04, NSW quote). Medibank costs AUD 14,121 and nib AUD 15,979. For a multi-year degree, get a quote for your exact visa dates — multi-year prices are not simply the annual price × years.
Scenario 5: Student Needing Mental Health Support
Best choice: Bupa, Medibank, or Allianz Care
All three offer mental health coverage from day 1 with no waiting period. ahm and nib apply a 2-month wait for pre-existing mental health conditions. If you already have a mental health condition, avoid ahm and nib.
Among the three, Bupa adds the free Blua online doctor service — useful for an initial consultation without visiting a clinic.
How OSHC Works in Australia
What Is the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)?
The MBS is the Australian government’s schedule of fees for medical services. When an OSHC provider says they cover “85% of MBS” for specialist visits, they reimburse 85% of the government-set fee — not 85% of what the specialist actually charges. Specialists often charge above MBS, so you may still have an out-of-pocket “gap” payment.
Example: A dermatologist charges AUD 250 for a consultation. The MBS fee for that service is AUD 150. With 85% MBS cover, your insurer pays AUD 127.50 (85% of AUD 150). You pay AUD 122.50 out of pocket. With Bupa’s 100% MBS cover, the insurer pays AUD 150. You pay AUD 100 out of pocket — saving AUD 22.50 per visit.
Waiting Periods Explained
All OSHC providers impose waiting periods for certain services:
| Service | Typical waiting period |
|---|---|
| GP visits | None — covered immediately |
| Hospital | None (except pre-existing conditions) |
| Specialist | None — covered immediately |
| Pre-existing mental health conditions | 0–2 months (2 months at ahm and nib) |
| Pregnancy/birth | 12 months |
| Pre-existing conditions | 12 months |
Pre-existing conditions: All OSHC providers impose a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions. This is an Australian government rule, not a provider choice. If you have a known condition before arriving, you will not be covered for treatment of that condition for the first 12 months.
Bulk Billing — How to Pay Nothing at the GP
A bulk-billing GP charges the insurer directly and accepts the MBS rebate as full payment. You pay nothing out of pocket. Not all GPs bulk-bill international students, but many do — especially in university health clinics and urban areas.
Tip: Use your provider’s app or website to find bulk-billing GPs near your university. This is the single most effective way to minimize your healthcare costs in Australia.
CBHS — Why It Is No Longer on This List
CBHS (Combined Health Benefits Society) stopped selling new OSHC policies after 31 October 2025. New students cannot purchase OSHC from CBHS; if you already hold a CBHS OSHC policy, check with CBHS what happens at renewal. This leaves 5 government-approved OSHC providers for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OSHC mandatory for all international students?
Yes. Every international student on a Student Visa (subclass 500) must hold OSHC for the entire duration of their visa. Without OSHC, your visa application will be rejected. You must purchase OSHC before applying for your visa and maintain it throughout your stay.
Can I choose any OSHC provider, or must I use my university’s preferred provider?
You can choose any of the 5 approved providers. Many universities have preferred provider arrangements with discounted rates — sometimes 5–15% cheaper than market prices. Check with your international student office first, but you are not obligated to use the university’s preferred provider.
Can I switch OSHC providers during my studies?
Yes. You can switch providers at any time. Contact your new provider, who will arrange the transfer. Waiting periods you have already served are generally recognised: your new provider asks your old fund for a clearance certificate. Make sure there is no gap in coverage.
Does OSHC cover dental and optical?
Standard OSHC does not cover routine dental or optical care. Bupa sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on for dental and optical (at additional cost), and nib’s OSHC range includes plans with dental benefits. Check ahm, Allianz Care and Medibank’s current plans with the insurer, or buy a separate extras policy.
What happens if I need to go to the emergency room?
All OSHC providers cover emergency hospital treatment. Go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. You do not need pre-approval for genuine emergencies. The hospital will bill your OSHC provider. At public hospitals, you will typically have no out-of-pocket costs for emergency treatment.
How do I make a claim?
Most providers offer app-based claiming. Visit your GP or specialist, pay upfront (unless they bulk-bill), then submit the receipt through your provider’s app. Reimbursement typically takes 2–5 business days. nib and Bupa generally process claims fastest.
Does OSHC cover me if I travel outside Australia?
OSHC covers you in Australia only. If you travel overseas during semester breaks, you need separate travel insurance. Some providers offer limited coverage for short overseas trips as part of their policy — check your specific plan terms.
What happens to my OSHC after I graduate?
OSHC ends when your student visa expires. If you transition to a post-study work visa (subclass 485), you need Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) instead. Read our guide on health insurance after OSHC for the full transition process.
Related Articles
- How to Get Student Health Insurance in Australia (OSHC Guide)
- Australia After OSHC: Post-Study Health Insurance for the 485 Visa
- Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students 2026
- How to Choose the Right Health Insurance as an International Student
- What Happens If You Have No Health Insurance as a Student?
Ready to Compare OSHC Plans?
Use our OSHC comparison tool to see all 5 providers side by side with real-time pricing for your specific visa duration. Or read our complete OSHC guide for Australia if you want to understand the basics first.
For personalized advice, try the Insurance Finder — it recommends the best plan based on your study destination, visa type, and budget.
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