ahm OSHC
~AUD 52/month
Best for: Cheapest single cover
Owned by Medibank. Same hospital network, lowest single price. No extras available.
Learn more
Health Insurance for Students in Australia
Australia requires all international students on a Student Visa (subclass 500) to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
5 requirements5 plan options5 setup steps
Compare PlansLast updated: March 2026
Insurance Requirements
- OSHC is mandatory for all Student Visa (subclass 500) holders
- Must be maintained for the entire duration of your visa
- Only 5 government-approved OSHC providers
- Coverage must start from the day you arrive in Australia
- Required for visa application and renewal
Available Insurance Options
Allianz Care OSHC
~AUD 67/month
Best for: Cheapest couple & family cover
Full OSHC coverage. 24/7 support hotline. Cheapest for couples (AUD 4,597/yr) and families (AUD 8,917/yr). No extras available.
Learn moreBupa OSHC
~AUD 63/month
Best for: Only provider with extras (dental, optical)
100% specialist cover (others 85%). Free online doctor (Blua).
Learn moreMedibank OSHC
~AUD 64/month
Best for: Largest hospital network, highest medication limit
AUD 70/item medication limit (others AUD 50). 3.7M+ members. No extras.
Learn morenib OSHC
~AUD 57/month
Best for: Best app experience
Fast claims processing. 2-month mental health wait. Lowest medication cap (AUD 300/yr).
Learn moreCost Overview
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC (Single) | AUD 623–806/year | ahm cheapest (AUD 623), Allianz Care most expensive (AUD 806). Prices vary by provider. |
| OSHC (Couple) | AUD 4,597–5,400/year | Allianz Care cheapest for couples (AUD 4,597/yr). |
| OSHC (Family) | AUD 8,917–13,895/year | Allianz Care cheapest for families (AUD 8,917/yr). nib most expensive (AUD 13,895/yr). |
| Extras Cover (Optional) | Only from Bupa | Dental, optical, physiotherapy — only Bupa offers extras as add-on. Other providers do not. |
Item
OSHC (Single)
Cost
AUD 623–806/year
Details
ahm cheapest (AUD 623), Allianz Care most expensive (AUD 806). Prices vary by provider.
Item
OSHC (Couple)
Cost
AUD 4,597–5,400/year
Details
Allianz Care cheapest for couples (AUD 4,597/yr).
Item
OSHC (Family)
Cost
AUD 8,917–13,895/year
Details
Allianz Care cheapest for families (AUD 8,917/yr). nib most expensive (AUD 13,895/yr).
Item
Extras Cover (Optional)
Cost
Only from Bupa
Details
Dental, optical, physiotherapy — only Bupa offers extras as add-on. Other providers do not.
Visa & Insurance Requirements
- OSHC proof required for Student Visa (subclass 500) application
- Coverage must match the full visa duration
- Must be from a government-approved provider
- Can be arranged before or immediately upon arrival
- University may arrange OSHC as part of enrollment
How to Get Insured
Choose an OSHC Provider
Compare the 5 approved providers: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, and nib. Check if your university has a preferred partner.
Purchase Your Cover
Buy OSHC online for your entire visa duration. You'll receive a confirmation letter and membership number.
Apply for Your Visa
Include your OSHC confirmation in your Student Visa (subclass 500) application.
Activate Upon Arrival
Your cover starts from your arrival date. Register with a local GP and download your provider's app.
Claim When Needed
Visit a doctor, pay upfront or use direct billing, then claim through your provider's portal or app.
How Much Does OSHC Cost in Australia in 2026?
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) costs AUD 623-806 per year for a single student in Australia, or approximately AUD 52-67 per month depending on the provider. OSHC is mandatory for all international students on a Student Visa (subclass 500) — you cannot obtain or renew your visa without it. Australia welcomes over 700,000 international students each year, all of whom must maintain valid OSHC.
What Does OSHC Cover?
OSHC is a government-regulated health insurance designed specifically for international students. Standard OSHC covers:
- Hospital treatment — accommodation, theatre fees, intensive care, rehabilitation
- Medical services — GP visits (85% of Medicare schedule fee), specialist consultations (85% MBS, except Bupa at 100%)
- Ambulance services — emergency ambulance transport (fully covered)
- Prescription medicines — AUD 50 per item at most providers (Medibank AUD 70/item), annual cap of AUD 300-500
Not covered by standard OSHC: dental, optical, physiotherapy. Only Bupa offers optional extras cover as an add-on.
Which Are the 5 Approved OSHC Providers?
The Australian government licenses 5 insurers to offer OSHC: ahm (~AUD 52/month), nib (~AUD 57/month), Bupa (~AUD 63/month), Medibank (~AUD 64/month), and Allianz Care (~AUD 67/month). CBHS exited the OSHC market in October 2025. While all remaining providers meet minimum standards, there are important coverage differences — Bupa offers extras and 100% specialist cover, Medibank has the highest medication limit, and nib has a 2-month mental health waiting period.
Tips for Saving Money on OSHC
- Check university partnerships — many universities negotiate discounted rates with preferred OSHC providers
- Pay upfront for your full course — some providers offer multi-year discounts
- Use bulk-billing GPs — these doctors charge Medicare directly, so you pay nothing out-of-pocket
- Download your provider’s app — lodge claims immediately and track reimbursements
- Keep all receipts — you have 2 years to lodge most claims
Frequently Asked Questions
No. International students on a Student Visa (subclass 500) must purchase OSHC from one of only 5 government-approved providers: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, or nib. CBHS exited the OSHC market in October 2025. No other health insurance — including travel insurance or home-country policies — satisfies the Australian visa requirement. OSHC costs between AUD 52-67/month depending on the provider.
No. Standard OSHC does not cover dental or optical. Bupa is the only OSHC provider that offers optional extras cover (dental, optical, physiotherapy) as an add-on. The other 4 providers do not offer extras at all.
Your OSHC must start from your arrival date in Australia, not your course start date. When purchasing OSHC, set your cover start date to your planned arrival date. If you arrive earlier than expected, contact your provider immediately to extend coverage backwards. Any gap in cover can affect your visa status.
Yes, you can switch OSHC providers at any time during your stay in Australia. The new provider will issue a transfer certificate, and you will not lose any cover. There are no penalties for switching. The process typically takes 1-2 business days.
OSHC has no general waiting period for hospital and medical services — you are covered from day one. Pre-existing conditions have a 12-month waiting period. Pregnancy-related services also have a 12-month waiting period. Mental health services are covered immediately by all providers except nib, which has a 2-month waiting period.
Helpful Resources
Tools & Guides for Australia
Get Your Australian OSHC
Compare all 5 approved OSHC providers and apply online. Get covered before your visa application.
Compare OSHC Providers