Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory health insurance for every international student in Australia on a Student Visa (subclass 500). It costs AUD 52–67 per month (AUD 623–806 per year) for a single student in 2026, and you must buy it from one of just 5 government-approved providers — ahm, nib, Bupa, Medibank, or Allianz Care — before your visa is granted, with cover dates spanning your entire stay.
This guide explains what OSHC is, how the 5 providers compare, how to buy it correctly for your visa, what is and is not covered, how to see a doctor and claim, and what to do when your cover runs out.
What is OSHC and why do you need it?
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is a government-regulated type of health insurance designed specifically for international students. It is the only health cover Australia accepts for the subclass 500 student visa — the standard visa for full-time study. Travel insurance, a home-country policy, or general private health insurance will not satisfy the requirement.
OSHC is not optional. Without proof of OSHC, your visa application is rejected, and you must keep it active for the entire duration of your visa, not just the start of your course. It exists because international students cannot use Medicare (Australia’s taxpayer-funded public health scheme): you do not pay the Medicare levy and cannot claim Medicare benefits, so OSHC is your substitute. Planning your move? Start with our complete requirements for international students in Australia, which covers visa rules alongside the mandatory OSHC coverage.
Who are the 5 approved OSHC providers in Australia?
Only 5 insurers are licensed by the Australian government to offer OSHC in 2026:
- ahm — cheapest single cover (~AUD 52/month), owned by Medibank
- nib — best app experience, fast claims (~AUD 57/month)
- Bupa — only provider with extras (dental, optical) and 100% specialist cover (~AUD 63/month)
- Medibank — largest hospital network, highest medication limit (~AUD 64/month)
- Allianz Care — cheapest couple and family cover (~AUD 67/month)
Important: CBHS exited the OSHC market in October 2025. It is no longer an option for new students — existing CBHS members were transferred to other providers. Anyone telling you to compare CBHS OSHC is working from outdated information.
All five meet the government’s minimum coverage standards, so there is no “wrong” choice for your visa. The differences are in price, specialist reimbursement, medication caps, mental health waiting periods, and whether extras cover (optional add-on insurance for dental, optical, and physiotherapy) is available.
Honest note: “5 independent providers” is slightly misleading at the corporate level — ahm is wholly owned by Medibank, so two brands share the same parent and hospital agreements. That still leaves four distinct corporate groups (Medibank/ahm, Bupa, nib, Allianz Care with Peoplecare) — genuine competition, but worth knowing before you assume ahm and Medibank are fully independent alternatives.
How much does OSHC cost in 2026?
For a single student, OSHC costs AUD 623–806 per year in 2026 — roughly AUD 52–67 per month depending on the provider. ahm is the cheapest and Allianz Care the most expensive for single cover. If you bring family, the rates change significantly, and the cheapest single provider is not the cheapest for couples or families.
| Cover type | Annual range (2026) | Cheapest provider |
|---|---|---|
| Single | AUD 623–806 | ahm (AUD 623) |
| Couple | AUD 4,597–5,400 | Allianz Care (AUD 4,597) |
| Family | AUD 8,917–13,895 | Allianz Care (AUD 8,917) |
Pro tip: Many universities — especially the Group of Eight (UNSW, Melbourne, Sydney) — negotiate bulk OSHC deals with a preferred provider that can beat market rates by 5–15%. Check with your international student office, then compare that quote against a direct-from-provider quote, since buying direct is sometimes cheaper than going through a comparison portal.
How do the 5 OSHC providers compare?
All five approved providers meet the government’s minimum standards. Here is how they differ on the things students ask about most. (For a full side-by-side breakdown including couple and family pricing, see our OSHC provider comparison for 2026.)
| Provider | Single cover (approx./year) | Monthly (approx.) | Specialist cover | Extras available | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ahm | ~AUD 623 | ~AUD 52 | 85% MBS | No | Budget single students |
| nib | ~AUD 686 | ~AUD 57 | 85% MBS | No | Best app + fast claims |
| Bupa | ~AUD 756 | ~AUD 63 | 100% MBS | Yes (dental, optical) | Best overall coverage |
| Medibank | ~AUD 768 | ~AUD 64 | 85% MBS | No | Largest hospital network |
| Allianz Care | ~AUD 806 | ~AUD 67 | 85% MBS | No | Couple & family value |
Prices are approximate annual rates for single student cover in 2026 and may vary by state and term length. MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule) is the government’s official fee list — “85% of MBS” means the provider reimburses 85% of that set fee, not 85% of what your doctor charges. Bupa is the only provider reimbursing specialists at 100% of MBS, which means a smaller out-of-pocket gap on specialist visits.
What does OSHC cover (and what is excluded)?
Standard OSHC covers the essentials that keep your visa valid and protect you in a medical emergency:
- ✅ Hospital treatment — accommodation, theatre fees, intensive care, rehabilitation
- ✅ Doctor (GP) and specialist visits — GP visits at 85% of the MBS fee, specialists at 85% (Bupa 100%)
- ✅ Pathology and diagnostic imaging — blood tests, X-rays, scans
- ✅ Ambulance services — emergency ambulance transport (fully covered)
- ✅ Prescription medicines — PBS-listed medicines, capped at AUD 300–500/year depending on provider
What standard OSHC does not cover:
- ❌ Dental care — requires extras cover (only Bupa offers it)
- ❌ Optical/glasses — requires extras cover
- ❌ Physiotherapy — requires extras cover
- ❌ Pre-existing conditions — 12-month waiting period (a government rule, not a provider choice)
- ❌ Pregnancy and birth — 12-month waiting period before maternity services are covered
What are waiting periods?
A waiting period is the time you must hold the policy before you can claim for certain services. GP visits, specialists, and emergency hospital care have no waiting period — you are covered from day one. But pre-existing conditions and pregnancy each carry a 12-month wait, and mental health is immediate with every provider except ahm and nib, which apply a 2-month wait. If you are already managing a health condition or planning a family, factor these waits into your choice of provider.
How do I buy OSHC for my visa, step by step?
The most common mistake is buying OSHC with the wrong dates. Your cover must start on your planned arrival date in Australia (not your course start date) and run to the end of your visa. Here is the correct sequence:
- Compare providers — check prices, coverage, and whether your university has a preferred partner
- Set the right dates — purchase cover for your entire visa duration, starting from your arrival date
- Buy online — you’ll receive a membership number and an OSHC confirmation letter (the document your visa application needs)
- Apply for your visa — attach the OSHC confirmation to your subclass 500 application
- Arrive and activate — register with a local GP and download your provider’s app
Dates matter for your visa. The Department of Home Affairs checks that your OSHC start and end dates cover your whole stay. A 2-year Master’s needs roughly 2 years of cover plus a buffer, not just the first semester. If your policy ends before your visa, extend or renew before it lapses — any gap can affect your visa status.
How do I see a doctor and make a claim?
In Australia you usually see a GP (general practitioner) first; they refer you to a specialist or hospital if needed. How much you pay depends on whether the clinic bulk-bills.
- Bulk-billing means the doctor charges your insurer (or Medicare’s equivalent rate) directly and accepts that as full payment — so you pay nothing out of pocket. Many university health clinics and urban GPs bulk-bill students.
- If a clinic does not bulk-bill, you pay upfront, then claim back through your provider’s app. The portion you are not reimbursed is the gap fee — the difference between what the doctor charges and what OSHC pays.
To claim, pay at the clinic, photograph the receipt, and submit it in your provider’s app — reimbursement usually takes 2–5 business days (nib and Bupa are generally fastest). For a genuine emergency, go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department: no pre-approval is needed, and public-hospital emergency treatment is typically covered with no out-of-pocket cost.
How can I keep OSHC costs down?
- Use bulk-billing GPs — the single most effective way to avoid out-of-pocket costs
- Download your provider’s app to lodge claims instantly
- Add extras cover only if you genuinely need regular dental or optical care (Bupa only)
- Check for university discounts before buying direct, and keep all receipts (you generally have up to 2 years to claim)
What happens when my OSHC runs out or I finish studying?
Your OSHC is tied to your student visa. When the visa ends, so does your obligation to hold OSHC — but your situation determines what you need next:
- Still studying / renewing your visa? Extend or renew your OSHC before it expires so there is no gap. A lapse can jeopardise your visa.
- Moving to a post-study work visa (subclass 485)? OSHC no longer applies. You need Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) instead — a different product for non-students on a temporary visa. Our guide on health insurance after OSHC for the 485 visa walks through the full transition.
- Leaving Australia for good? You may be able to cancel any remaining months for a partial refund — contact your provider before you fly out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I arrive in Australia without OSHC?
No. You must have OSHC arranged before your subclass 500 visa is granted, and your cover must start from your arrival date. Arriving without active OSHC creates a gap that can affect your visa status.
Can I choose any OSHC provider, or must I use my university’s?
You can choose any of the 5 approved providers — ahm, nib, Bupa, Medibank, or Allianz Care. Universities often have a preferred partner with a discounted rate (sometimes 5–15% cheaper), but you are not obligated to use it. Compare the university quote against a direct quote.
Can I switch OSHC providers during my studies?
Yes, at any time. Your new provider arranges a transfer certificate, your waiting periods carry over, and there are no penalties. Just make sure there is no gap between policies — the switch usually takes 1–2 business days.
Does OSHC cover dental and optical?
No, not as standard. Bupa is the only OSHC provider offering optional extras cover (dental, optical, physiotherapy) as a paid add-on. The other four do not offer extras at all — for regular dental or eye care, consider Bupa or a separate extras policy.
What about Medicare and the Medicare levy?
International students cannot access Medicare and do not pay the Medicare levy. OSHC is your alternative. (Citizens of a handful of countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement may get limited public cover, but it does not replace the OSHC visa requirement.)
What is the waiting period for OSHC?
There is no waiting period for GP visits, specialists, or emergency hospital care — you are covered from day one. Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy each have a 12-month wait. Mental health is immediate with Bupa, Medibank, and Allianz Care, but ahm and nib apply a 2-month wait.
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