ahm OSHC
~AUD 56/month
Owned by Medibank. Same hospital network. AUD 672/year single, AUD 6,686 couple, AUD 13,544 family (2026). Medicines up to AUD 50/item, AUD 500/year (single).
- Best for: Low-cost single cover
Australia
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
Plans
5
Requirements
5
Visa
5
Steps
01Requirements
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
02Plans
Available insurance options
Allianz Care OSHC
~AUD 55/month
OSHC Standard, 2026: AUD 665/year single, AUD 5,351 couple, AUD 9,515 family. 24/7 support hotline.
- Best for: Cheapest single, couple & family cover
Bupa OSHC
~AUD 59/month
AUD 712.80/year single; AUD 5,527.50 couple and AUD 13,691.04 family (NSW quote, 2026). 100% specialist cover (others 85%). Free online doctor (Blua).
- Best for: Best coverage: 100% specialist cover and an optional OSHC Extras add-on (dental, optical)
Medibank OSHC
~AUD 60/month
OSHC Essentials, 2026: AUD 719/year single, AUD 6,031 couple, AUD 14,121 family. AUD 70/item medicine limit (ahm AUD 50).
- Best for: Largest hospital network, highest per-item medicine limit
nib OSHC
~AUD 60/month
OSHC Core, 2026: AUD 725.81/year single, AUD 6,402 couple, AUD 15,979 family. OSHC plans with dental benefits. Fast claims processing. 2-month wait for pre-existing mental health conditions.
- Best for: Best app experience
Compare All 5 OSHC Providers
Side-by-side comparison of prices, coverage, pros & cons for ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, and nib. Compare OSHC Providers →
03Costs
Cost overview
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC (Single) | AUD 665–726/year | 12 months, 2026: Allianz Care OSHC Standard cheapest (AUD 665), nib OSHC Core most expensive (AUD 725.81). About AUD 55–60/month. |
| OSHC (Couple) | AUD 5,351–6,686/year | 12 months, 2026: Allianz Care AUD 5,351, Bupa AUD 5,527.50 (NSW), Medibank AUD 6,031, nib AUD 6,402, ahm AUD 6,686. All five quote couple cover online. |
| OSHC (Family) | AUD 9,515–15,979/year | 12 months, 2026: Allianz Care AUD 9,515, ahm AUD 13,544, Bupa AUD 13,691.04 (NSW), Medibank AUD 14,121, nib AUD 15,979. All five quote family cover online. |
| Extras Cover (Optional) | Bupa add-on; nib plans with dental benefits | Bupa sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on (dental, optical); nib's OSHC range includes plans with dental benefits. Check ahm, Allianz Care and Medibank's current plans with the insurer. |
04Visa
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
05Steps
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 665–726 for 12 months of single cover in Australia in 2026, or approximately AUD 55–60 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. Every Student Visa holder must keep valid OSHC for their entire stay in Australia.
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 — per-item and annual limits depend on the provider (ahm: AUD 50 per item, AUD 500/year for singles; Medibank: AUD 70 per item)
Not covered by standard OSHC: routine dental, optical, physiotherapy. Bupa sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on, and nib’s OSHC range includes plans with dental benefits.
Which Are the 5 Approved OSHC Providers?
The Australian government licenses 5 insurers to offer OSHC. Single cover for 12 months in 2026: Allianz Care OSHC Standard AUD 665 (~AUD 55/month), ahm AUD 672 (~AUD 56/month), Bupa AUD 712.80 (~AUD 59/month), Medibank OSHC Essentials AUD 719 (~AUD 60/month) and nib OSHC Core AUD 725.81 (~AUD 60/month). CBHS stopped selling new OSHC policies after 31 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 per-item medicine limit (AUD 70), and ahm and nib both apply a 2-month waiting period for pre-existing mental health conditions.
Tips for Saving Money on OSHC
- Check university partnerships — many universities negotiate discounted rates with preferred OSHC providers
- Get a quote for your full visa period — multi-year cover is not simply the annual price × years, so compare the total for your exact dates
- 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
06FAQ
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 stopped selling new OSHC policies after 31 October 2025. No other health insurance — including travel insurance or home-country policies — satisfies the Australian visa requirement. Single OSHC costs AUD 665–726 for 12 months in 2026 (about AUD 55–60/month), depending on the provider.
No. Standard OSHC does not cover dental or optical. Bupa sells an optional OSHC Extras add-on (dental, optical), and nib's OSHC range includes plans with dental benefits. For ahm, Allianz Care and Medibank, check the insurer's current plans.
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 Allianz Care, Medibank and Bupa; ahm and nib apply a 2-month waiting period for pre-existing mental health conditions.
Learn More
Guides & articles
OSHC Guide for International Students
Everything about Overseas Student Health Cover in Australia.
Read more →How to Choose Health Insurance
Tips for selecting the right insurance plan for your studies.
Read more →Extend OSHC From Inside Australia
How to extend or renew your OSHC after you have already arrived in Australia.
Read more →Helpful Resources
Tools & Guides for Australia
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Get Your Australian OSHC
Compare all 5 approved OSHC providers, then buy directly from the one you choose. Get covered before your visa application.
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