One-line direct answer
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory insurance covering GP visits, hospital care, and some medications at AUD 120–200 per year depending on the provider; dental, optical, and private therapy are not covered and require separate extras insurance.
What is OSHC and why is it mandatory?
OSHC is health insurance required by Australian immigration law for all international students on a Subclass 500 visa. Your university or education agent often bundles it into your fees, but you can buy it independently if you prefer a different provider.
OSHC covers:
- General practitioner (GP) visits: usually at 100% with no out-of-pocket cost at enrolled GPs; at other GPs, you may pay and claim a Medicare rebate later.
- Hospital stays: public hospitals are fully covered; private hospitals require the OSHC provider’s agreement.
- Prescription medications: 60% of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) cost; you pay 40%, capped at around AUD 15 per script.
- Emergency dental: only severe pain or trauma (not routine cleanings or fillings).
- Mental health: up to 10 psychology sessions per year via Medicare referral (OSHC covers 100% if referred by a GP).
OSHC does not cover:
- Dental: routine checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, orthodontics.
- Optical: glasses, contact lenses, eye tests.
- Physiotherapy, chiropractry, naturopathy: unless referred and bulk-billed.
- Cosmetic surgery.
- Overseas treatment: if you travel, most cover lapses.
Many students add Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) extras (around AUD 50–80 per year) for dental and optical, or buy private extras insurance.
OSHC providers and 2025 pricing
As of 2025, five major OSHC providers serve international students in Australia:
| Provider | Entry-level annual cost | GP co-pay (enrolled) | Pharmacy cap per script |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa | AUD 200 | nil (bulk-billed) | AUD 15 |
| Medibank | AUD 155 | nil (bulk-billed) | AUD 15 |
| nib | AUD 145 | nil (bulk-billed) | AUD 15 |
| OSHC Australia | AUD 120 | AUD 5–10 | AUD 15 |
| Allianz | AUD 135 | nil (selected GPs) | AUD 15 |
Prices vary by age, state, and plan tier. Most providers offer monthly payment options with no surcharge.
Bupa is the largest and most widely accepted; Medibank and nib offer competitive rates and good app support; OSHC Australia is the budget option but covers fewer GPs; Allianz is solid but less common.
Your university may pre-enrol you with one provider. If you want to switch, you can do so within 30 days of arrival with no penalty.
Additional cover: OVHC extras and private insurance
If you plan to see a dentist (e.g. braces, cleanings, whitening), budget for private dental insurance or out-of-pocket costs (AUD 100–300 per appointment).
OVHC extras plans (about AUD 50–80 per year from the same five providers) cover:
- Dental: up to AUD 300 per year (e.g. one cleaning + one filling).
- Optical: up to AUD 250 per year (one pair of glasses every 2 years).
- Physiotherapy: up to 10 sessions per year.
If you need glasses or braces, OVHC extras pay for themselves within a visit or two.
Choosing an OSHC provider
Compare using the official OSHC Comparison Tool at oshc.gov.au (though this is currently limited). Most students compare directly on provider websites.
Consider:
- Location: Some providers have more bulk-billing GPs in your city.
- App: nib and Medibank have excellent apps for claims and doctor searches.
- Speed: Bupa and nib process claims faster (3–5 working days vs 2 weeks).
- Cost: The difference between cheapest and most expensive is only AUD 80 per year.
If you’re in a regional town, check that the provider has GPs near your campus.
Do I need travel insurance in addition to OSHC?
No. OSHC covers treatment in Australia. If you travel overseas (holidays), OSHC lapses. Many students take out annual travel insurance (AUD 40–80) to cover gaps during semester breaks when they visit home.
Some OSHC providers offer “travel top-up” for an extra AUD 20 per year, which extends cover for trips up to 3 months.
Malaysian pathway
New arrivals from SPM/STPM background should not skip this step. OSHC is often included in your university’s fees, but check your financial summary or email from your education agent to confirm. If not included, purchase it within 2 weeks of arrival (there is a waiting period of 2 months for non-emergency cover if you enrol late).
UEC holders and those on pathway programs — your pathway provider (e.g. University of Melbourne, ANU College) almost always bundles OSHC into your program fees. Ask your agent to confirm the provider name.
Visa holders already in Australia on other visas (e.g. visitor, working holiday) do not require OSHC, but international students on Subclass 500 do. If you switch to a student visa, purchase OSHC immediately.
Common questions
What’s the waiting period for OSHC cover? Most providers cover emergency and hospital treatment from day 1. Non-emergency cover (GP visits, routine procedures) has a waiting period of 2 months unless you enrol within 14 days of your course start date. Enrol early to avoid this.
Can I cancel OSHC while I’m in Australia if I’m not using it? You cannot cancel it voluntarily if you’re on a Subclass 500 visa — it’s a visa condition. If you plan to leave Australia, you can request a pro-rata refund (roughly AUD 10 per week) from your provider. Once you’ve departed, OSHC lapses automatically.
If I have OSHC but see a private doctor who doesn’t bulk-bill, what happens? You pay the full fee upfront (often AUD 80–150), then claim a Medicare rebate (usually AUD 50–100) from Services Australia. OSHC then covers 80% of the gap (the difference between your cost and the rebate). It’s reimbursement, not direct cover.
Can I use OSHC to see a specialist without a GP referral? No. Specialists typically require a GP referral. OSHC covers the specialist visit only if referred.
What if I need to go home to Malaysia for emergency surgery? OSHC does not cover treatment outside Australia. If you need surgery urgently, it’s usually cheaper to stay in Australia and use public hospital care. If you must go home, contact your provider immediately to understand any exceptions.
Is mental health cover good under OSHC? Yes. A GP can refer you to a psychologist under the Medicare Mental Health Plan, and OSHC covers 100% of the out-of-pocket cost (usually nil) for up to 10 sessions per year. Psychology via your university counselling centre is also usually free.
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (OSHC requirements)
- OSHC Comparison Tool — oshc.gov.au
- Bupa Australia — oshc.bupa.com.au
- Medibank — medibank.com.au/international-students
- Services Australia — servicesaustralia.gov.au (Medicare and PBS information)