Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory health insurance requirement for international students on a Subclass 500 student visa in Australia. It covers the cost of medical and hospital care you may need while studying, helping you access Australia's healthcare system without facing huge out-of-pocket expenses. OSHC must be arranged before your visa is granted, and you’ll need to maintain it for the entire duration of your stay. HeadStart Academy, Australia’s definitive resource hub for international students, explains everything you need to know about OSHC: who it applies to, how to get it, costs, and common pitfalls to avoid. As at April 2026, Australia has over 1,500 CRICOS-registered providers offering more than 26,000 courses, and every international student enrolled in a CRICOS course must hold OSHC. Let’s dive in.
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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance designed specifically for international students in Australia. It is a mandatory condition of the student visa (Subclass 500) and must be held for the entire period of your stay in Australia. OSHC covers medical and hospital services, including visits to the doctor (GP), ambulance services, and some pharmaceuticals. It does not cover dental, optical, or physiotherapy unless you purchase extras cover with your OSHC policy. The Australian Government requires all student visa holders to maintain OSHC to ensure they have access to necessary healthcare without straining the public system. You can purchase OSHC from approved providers such as Medibank, Bupa, nib, and Allianz Care. The policy must meet minimum standards set by the Department of Home Affairs.
OSHC is mandatory for all international students holding a Student visa (Subclass 500). It also applies to their accompanying family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) who are included in the visa application. The following categories are exempt from OSHC: (1) Students from Belgium, Norway, and Sweden – these countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia (you must provide proof of coverage). (2) Students enrolled in an Australian Government-funded scholarship that provides health cover (e.g., Australia Awards). (3) Students undertaking a course that is not CRICOS-registered – though such courses are exceptionally rare for international students. (4) Some students undertaking ELICOS (English language) courses may have alternative arrangements, but in practice OSHC is still required. If you hold a Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590), you are not required to hold OSHC, but you must have adequate health insurance. Always check with the Department of Home Affairs for updates.
Step 1: Choose an approved OSHC provider. As at April 2026, the approved providers are Medibank, Bupa, nib, and Allianz Care. Compare their products – some offer extras like dental or optical cover. Step 2: Decide your cover duration. You need OSHC for the entire length of your student visa, which is usually the course duration plus extra time (e.g., if your course is 2 years, your visa may be for 3 years). Many providers allow you to pay for the full period upfront or in instalments. Step 3: Purchase OSHC. You can buy it directly from a provider or through your education provider (some universities offer a preferred provider). Step 4: Provide evidence of OSHC when applying for your visa. This is usually done by including your OSHC policy number in the visa application, or the provider sends confirmation to Home Affairs. Step 5: Once in Australia, use your OSHC card to access medical services. Keep your policy active – if it lapses, you may breach your visa conditions.
OSHC costs vary by provider, cover type (single or family), and duration. As at April 2026, indicative annual costs are: Single: A$600–700 per year; Couple (student + spouse): A$1,200–1,400 per year; Family (student + spouse + children): A$1,800–2,200 per year. These figures are for basic hospital and medical cover. If you choose a policy with extras (dental, optical, etc.), the cost will be higher. Note: Students from Belgium, Norway, or Sweden may not need OSHC if they have reciprocal health cover, but they should still confirm with Home Affairs. Also, the visa application charge (A$710 for the main applicant as at April 2026) is separate from OSHC costs. Other indicative costs: health check (if required) – around A$300–500; biometrics – A$85. Always confirm prices with the provider, as they are subject to change.
Maintaining OSHC is a condition of your student visa (condition 8501). This means you must hold adequate health insurance for the entire period of your stay in Australia. If you change to a different OSHC provider, you must ensure there is no gap in coverage. You must also notify your provider if you change address or passport details. Failure to maintain OSHC may result in your visa being cancelled. Additionally, your course progress and attendance (condition 8202) and work rights (48 hours per fortnight during term) are independent conditions, but all must be met. Change-of-provider rules require you to complete 6 months of your principal course before switching institutions (with some exceptions). OSHC does not directly affect these, but having valid cover is essential for visa compliance.
1. Not purchasing OSHC before visa application: You must have OSHC in place at the time of lodgement. 2. Choosing a non-approved provider: Only policies from approved providers are accepted. 3. Underestimating cover duration: Your OSHC must cover the entire visa period, not just course duration. 4. Letting OSHC lapse: If your policy ends before your visa, you must renew it immediately. 5. Not including family members: Spouse and dependent children must also be covered by OSHC. 6. Assuming reciprocal agreements apply: If you are from Belgium, Norway, or Sweden, you must still provide proof of reciprocal cover – don't assume exemption. 7. Not keeping your OSHC card handy: You need it to access medical services.
The best source of information is the Department of Home Affairs (homeaffairs.gov.au) – check the student visa health insurance page. Your education provider's international student support office can also advise on OSHC options and may offer a preferred provider. For personalised advice, consult a registered MARA migration agent – they can guide you on visa conditions, including health cover. HeadStart Academy is not a registered migration agent and does not provide immigration advice. Our resource is free and based on data from the official CRICOS register as at April 2026. We recommend you always verify requirements directly with Home Affairs or a qualified professional.
Ready to apply for your student visa? Start by exploring CRICOS-registered courses and providers on HeadStart Academy, then arrange your OSHC cover. Remember, every university and college listed is CRICOS-registered and protected by ESOS Act safeguards.