500 Visa Health Insurance

Compare OSHC for a 500 visa

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Finder Score	Visa Compliant	Private Hospital	GP visits	Pharmaceutical	Price
Promoted 8.8 Great Allianz Care Australia Overseas Standard Student Health Cover	8.8 Great				$500 ($1,000 for families)	From $54 per month	Get quoteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.1 Great Allianz Care Australia Overseas Essentials Student Health Cover	8.1 Great				$750 ($1500 for families)	From $77 per month	Get quoteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.6 Excellent ahm Overseas Student Health Cover	9.6 Excellent					From $56 per month	ContinueView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.9 Great Bupa Overseas Student Health Cover	8.9 Great					From $58.25 per month	ContinueView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.8 Great Medibank Essentials Overseas Student Health Cover	8.8 Great				$500	From $59.95 per month	ContinueView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.7 Great nib Overseas Student Health Cover	8.7 Great					From $60.48 per month	ContinueView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Not yet rated Medibank Comprehensive Overseas Student Health Cover	Not yet rated				$1,000		ContinueView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

Finder Score for overseas health insurance

To make comparing overseas health insurance even easier, we developed the Finder Score. Factors like price, hospital cover, extras cover, emergency travel, and more are weighted and scaled across 50+ policies from 15+ providers to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the policy.

Read the full methodology

Pricing is based on a single individual living in the State of New South Wales on a 500 visa who is not from a country that Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with and is not eligible for cover under Medicare. Prices are subject to change.

How does health insurance work in Australia?

Australia's public health system, Medicare, is for Australian citizens, permanent residents and a few other groups. Most international students can't use it, so the government requires student visa holders to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) instead.

OSHC is a special type of health insurance for international students. It helps pay for things like hospital stays, GP visits, ambulance trips and some prescription medicines while you study here. You'll need it for your whole time in Australia, and so will any family members who come with you on your visa. If you would like additional benefits, such as dental, optical or physiotherapy, you will need to purchase extras cover.

What's included in OSHC?

Hospital fees

OSHC can cover the same hospital and out-of-hospital treatments that are covered by Medicare, including accommodation, certain prosthetic devices and a shared ward in a private hospital.

Doctor fees

If you need surgery or treatment in hospital, OSHC can help pay towards the cost of doctor, surgeon and specialist fees.

Ambulance fees

It can pay for the costs of an ambulance in an emergency. Ambulance services aren't generally free in Australia.

Prescriptions and GP consultation fees

OSHC contributes towards the cost of most prescription medicines (for example, $50 per script with a limit of $300 per year) and GP consultations if you need to see a doctor.

What OSHC doesn't cover

OSHC covers the basics you need to meet your visa conditions, but it won't pay for everything. Knowing the gaps before you need care can save you a surprise bill.

• Extras: standard OSHC doesn't cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you want these, you'll need a policy with extras, or to pay yourself.
• Waiting periods: you'll usually wait 12 months before you're covered for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy. If you need treatment during that time, you'll pay the full cost.
• Gap fees: if a doctor or specialist charges more than the standard Medicare fee, you may pay the difference out of your own pocket. GP visits can also leave a gap if the clinic doesn't bulk bill.
• Private hospitals: OSHC may not cover the full cost of a private hospital stay, so you could be left with a bill. Ask your insurer before you book.

Do 500 visa holders need OSHC?

You may not need OSHC if you're a student from Sweden, Norway or Belgium covered by special arrangements under your own country's national scheme. Check with the Department of Home Affairs. This is separate from the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) Australia has with these countries.

RHCA are designed to help visitors cover emergency medical costs or access medical attention that can't wait until they've returned home. Most students however, won't be covered. This means you could find yourself substantially out of pocket. Hospital fees can be over $1000.

When to buy OSHC for the February intake

You'll usually need OSHC in place before you apply for your student visa, because you'll need to show proof of cover with your application. If you're starting in February, that means sorting it out in the months before, not when you land.

A few things to get right:

• Start date: your policy should start on or before the day you arrive in Australia.
• End date: it should cover your whole visa, which usually runs a few months past the end of your course.
• Who's covered: if your partner or children are coming with you, choose a couple or family policy.
• Your uni's preferred provider: some universities arrange OSHC for you. Check before you buy, so you don't end up paying twice.

FAQs about the 500 visa

• Is OSHC always mandatory for a 500 visa?

  OSHC is generally mandatory for all international students on a subclass 500 visa. You must maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. However, students from Sweden, Norway and Belgium may be exempt if they're covered by special arrangements under their own country's national scheme. Check with the Department of Home Affairs if this applies to you.

• How long does my OSHC need to last?

  Your OSHC needs to cover you from the day you arrive in Australia until your student visa ends. If your cover lapses, you'll be breaching your visa conditions, and the Department of Home Affairs may cancel your visa. If you change course or extend your visa, contact your insurer to extend your policy so it still covers the full new visa period.

• Can I include my family members on my OSHC policy?

  If your family members are accompanying you to Australia on a student dependent visa subclass 500 they must also be covered by OSHC. You can usually purchase a family policy that includes yourself, your partner and any dependent children. It is essential that all accompanying family members have OSHC from before their arrival and for the full duration of their stay.

• Does OSHC cover dental, optical or mental health services?

  Standard OSHC policies primarily cover hospital, medical and ambulance services similar to Medicare for Australian residents. While some basic policies may contribute to certain out-of-hospital services, for example GP consultations and prescriptions, comprehensive OSHC policies or additional extras cover can include benefits for dental, optical or mental health services. It is important to compare policies carefully to see what specific services each one covers beyond the basic requirements.

• What are waiting periods in OSHC policies?

  Waiting periods are specific timeframes during which you cannot claim benefits for certain treatments or services even if you have purchased OSHC. Common waiting periods apply to pre-existing conditions, for example typically 12 months for medical conditions and obstetric related services, 2 months for psychiatric care and 12 months for some allied health services like physiotherapy. It is important to understand these periods when selecting your OSHC policy.

• What happens if I change my course or extend my student visa?

  If you change your course of study or extend your student visa you must ensure your OSHC remains valid for the entire new duration of your visa. You will need to contact your OSHC provider to extend your policy or update your details. Failing to maintain continuous OSHC could result in your visa being cancelled or complicate future visa applications.

• Can I switch OSHC providers once I am in Australia?

  Yes you can generally switch OSHC providers while you are in Australia provided your new policy covers the remaining duration of your visa and meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements. You will need to contact your current provider to cancel your existing policy and then purchase a new policy from a different provider. Any accumulated waiting periods may restart with the new provider, depending on the terms.

• How do I make a claim with my OSHC provider?

  Making a claim with your OSHC provider typically involves paying for your medical service first then submitting a claim form along with receipts or invoices to your insurer. Many OSHC providers offer online claiming through their websites or dedicated apps. Some providers also have direct billing arrangements with certain doctors or hospitals where the bill is sent directly to the insurer reducing your upfront costs. Always keep records of all your medical appointments and payments.

Written by

Ceyda Erem

Senior writer

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Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University. See full bio

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