Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), explained
Every student visa (subclass 500) holder must keep adequate health insurance for their whole stay — that’s visa condition 8501, and OSHC is the product that satisfies it. Here’s how it works, factually and independently.
It's a visa condition
Condition 8501 requires adequate health-insurance arrangements for the entire stay. For student visa holders, OSHC is the cover the Department's policy recognises — starting on or before arrival and running until the visa ends.
It covers your family too
Cover comes in single, couple, and family tiers. Accompanying family members on the visa need cover for the same period as the student.
Some students are exempt
Norwegian students under their National Insurance Scheme, Belgian students under the reciprocal health-care agreement, and some Swedish students with CSN/Kammarkollegiet cover don't need OSHC.
The approved OSHC providers
OSHC can only be sold by insurers holding a Deed of Agreement with the Department of Health. Five providers currently sell new OSHC policies (CBHS International stopped taking new customers in November 2025). Single-cover prices below are indicative ranges as at July 2026 — always get a live quote from the insurer.
| Provider | Indicative single cover | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| ahm OSHC ↗ Medibank Private brand | ~$535–$625 / year | Frequently the lowest-priced of the five. |
| Allianz Care Australia ↗ | ~$805 / year | Large on-campus support network at many universities. |
| Bupa ↗ | ~$755 / year | Only provider offering optional extras cover alongside OSHC. |
| Medibank ↗ | ~$609–$770 / year | Highest per-item pharmacy benefit limit of the five. |
| nib ↗ | ~$525–$680 / year | Large international-student partner network. |
We list every insurer currently selling OSHC, in alphabetical order. We have no commercial relationship with any of them and receive nothing if you buy — if that ever changes, this page will say so. Official information: privatehealth.gov.au. Complaints about a health insurer go to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Buying tips (the boring, factual kind)
- Your cover must span your whole visa — from the day you arrive to the day the visa ends, not just the course dates. Your visa application needs the policy start date to line up.
- Education agents and platforms that sell OSHC earn a commission from the insurer (capped at 12% of the premium for policies from July 2026). Buying direct from the insurer costs the same or less — the price is set by the insurer either way.
- Compare waiting periods, the pharmacy benefit cap, and whether out-of-hospital specialist visits are covered at 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee — these differ more than the headline price does.
- Keep your policy certificate — you’ll need it for the visa application and when you extend your stay.
Not sure how OSHC fits your visa plans?
Which cover you need, and how condition 8501 applies to your situation, depends on your circumstances — that’s advice only a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner can give.
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Important notice: General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. For advice about your circumstances, book a verified practitioner.
Compiled July 2026 from privatehealth.gov.au, Department of Health OSHC materials, and insurer websites — practitioner verification pending. Prices are indicative only.
General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. For advice about your circumstances, book a verified practitioner.