OSHC health insurance is one of those requirements that many students leave to the last minute, but without it you cannot submit your visa application. The good news is that it is simple to understand and to take out once you know how it works. Here is the complete guide, updated for 2026.
What OSHC is and why it's mandatory
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is the health insurance designed specifically for international students in Australia. Its purpose is to give you access to healthcare during your stay, just as the public Medicare system covers local residents.
It is a mandatory requirement of the subclass 500 student visa: the Government requires you to be covered for the entire duration of your visa. That is why, along with the CoE and the financial evidence, the OSHC certificate is one of the essential documents of the application. The decision to grant the visa rests exclusively with the Department of Home Affairs.
What it covers and what it doesn't
The specific cover depends on each insurer and the policy you take out, but as a guide basic OSHC usually includes:
- Medical consultations with a general practitioner (GP).
- Hospital care in public hospitals and, depending on the policy, private ones.
- Ambulance in an emergency.
- Some prescription medicines, with a per-prescription and annual limit.
What normally does not fall under basic cover:
- Dental and optical treatments (glasses, lenses), unless you take out extras cover.
- Physiotherapy and other complementary therapies, depending on the policy.
- Treatments for pre-existing conditions during an initial waiting period.
How much OSHC costs
The price depends on the insurer, the type of cover and the duration of the plan. As an indicative reference for 2026:
| Type of policy | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Individual (one person) | ~ AUD $52 / month |
| Couple | Higher than individual |
| Family (with dependents) | The highest, depending on number of people |
Indicative figures: the final price varies depending on the insurer, the duration taken out and the level of cover. Always confirm it when taking it out.
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OSHC is taken out before applying for the visa, because its certificate is one of the application documents. It must be in force from your arrival in Australia until your visa ends, that is, normally for the entire duration of the course plus the extra period that the visa covers.
- You choose the insurer and the type of plan (individual, couple or family).
- You take out the policy for the full period of the visa.
- The insurer issues an OSHC certificate.
- That certificate is attached to the student visa application.
Many schools can arrange OSHC together with enrolment, but you are not obliged to use the one they offer: you can freely choose the insurer.
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If you travel with your partner or family and include them as dependents on your visa, they must all have OSHC cover during the stay. There are specific policies:
- Couple OSHC: covers the student and their partner.
- Family OSHC: covers the student, the partner and dependent children.
The price is higher than an individual policy and must cover all members for the entire period. If you plan to come accompanied, we explain it in detail in our guide on studying in Australia with family.
Main insurers (as examples)
Several insurers in Australia are authorised to offer OSHC. Among the best known are Medibank, Bupa, Allianz Care and nib, among others. We do not recommend any in particular: what matters is comparing cover, price and conditions for your case.
We help you understand the differences and choose wisely, with no sales pressure.
Practical tips
- Take out OSHC for the entire duration of the visa, not just for the course, so you are never left without cover.
- Keep the certificate and your policy details: you will need them for the application and on arrival.
- Compare the actual cover, not just the price: the cheapest plan is not always the one you need.
- If you need dental or optical, consider a plan with extras from the start.
- Start in good time: the certificate is one of the documents attached to the visa.
How we help you (and why with us)
- 🏢 Our own office in Melbourne and our own staff who support you from start to finish.
- 🛡️ Migration assistance provided by a registered migration agent (MARN 2318321).
- 🎯 We help you compare and take out the right OSHC and leave your documentation ready for the visa.
- 🤝 We support you on arrival: accommodation, bank account and job search.
- 💬 Close support by video call and WhatsApp. +800 students over the last 8 years.
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🎥 Book your free video callFrequently asked questions
It is the health insurance for international students in Australia. It is a mandatory requirement of the subclass 500 student visa: you must have it in force from your arrival until your visa ends. Without OSHC the application cannot be submitted.
For a single person it is around AUD $52 per month, although it varies depending on the insurer, the duration and the type of cover. Couple or family policies cost more. It is an indicative value.
As a guide it covers medical consultations, hospital, ambulance and some medicines. It normally does not cover dental or optical, unless you take out extra cover. It depends on each insurer and policy.
For the entire duration of your visa, from your arrival in Australia until the visa ends. The insurer issues a certificate that is attached to the application.
Yes, the process is 100% online from any country. We advise you by video call and WhatsApp to choose and take out your OSHC.