When should I buy my OSHC?

You generally need to purchase OSHC before you apply for your student visa. The Australian Government requires you to have adequate health cover in place for the entire planned duration of your stay. You will need to provide proof of your OSHC when you submit your visa application.

Does OSHC cover pre-existing medical conditions?

OSHC generally provides limited cover for pre-existing medical conditions. Most OSHC policies have waiting periods before you can claim for pre-existing conditions. These waiting periods can vary but commonly range from 12 months for hospital treatment and 6 months for psychiatric care. It is best to check with your specific OSHC provider about their policy on pre-existing conditions.

Can my family members be included on my OSHC?

Yes, if your family members are coming to Australia with you on a dependent student visa they will also need OSHC. You can purchase a 'couple' or 'family' OSHC policy to cover your spouse and dependent children. The cost will be higher than a single student policy.

Are there waiting periods for OSHC benefits?

Yes, like most health insurance policies OSHC includes waiting periods for certain benefits. For example, there is typically a 12 month waiting period for pregnancy and childbirth related services and for some pre-existing conditions. A 2 month waiting period often applies to psychiatric services and rehabilitation. Basic medical services like doctor visits usually have no waiting period.

What if my student visa is extended or cancelled?

If your student visa is extended you must extend your OSHC to cover the new duration of your stay. Your OSHC must remain valid for the entire period you are in Australia on a student visa. If your visa is cancelled or you leave Australia permanently you may be eligible for a refund for the unused portion of your OSHC, subject to your provider's terms and conditions.

How do I make a claim on my OSHC or inbound travel insurance?

To make a claim you will generally need to contact your insurance provider directly. Most providers offer online claim submission through their website or a mobile app. You will usually need to provide details of the incident, relevant medical reports, police reports for lost items and receipts for expenses. Keep all original documents and submit your claim as soon as possible.

Can I get a refund for my OSHC if I finish my studies early and leave Australia?

Yes, if you finish your studies early and permanently leave Australia before your OSHC policy expires you can usually apply for a refund for the unused portion of your premium. You will need to provide proof of your departure, such as your flight itinerary and visa cancellation or expiry. Contact your OSHC provider for their specific refund process and requirements.

Travel insurance for overseas students in Australia

Overseas students visiting Australia will need either OSHC or inbound travel insurance.
OSHC and inbound travel insurance each cover different things, and you may need both.
It is key to understand which type of insurance covers what.

What insurance do overseas students need in Australia?

There are 2 kinds of insurance that overseas students might take out in Australia. overseas student health cover (oshc) and inbound travel insurance.

Overseas student health cover

All students studying in Australia are required to have adequate health cover for the duration of their stay. For most students, this means Overseas Student Health Cover. The only exception is if you are a citizen of a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia

Inbound travel insurance

Inbound travel insurance is a form of travel insurance sold to non-Australians visiting Australia. It covers some medical costs, but can also cover lost luggage, cancelled flights and other travel related costs associated with travel insurance.

If you've been living in Australia for more than 3 months, you'll likely be eligible for a normal travel insurance policy, which will probably offer better value. If that's you, you should compare regular travel insurance quotes here.

What is Overseas Student Health Cover?

Overseas student health hover is health insurance for people in Australia on a student visa. Australia’s public health care system (Medicare) is only available to Australian citizens and permanent residents, so visitors need to have health cover in case they are ill or injured and require medical treatment.

OSHC provides cover for hospital and general medical treatment, emergency ambulance assistance and prescription medicines covered under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The Australian Government requires all overseas students to have OSHC as a condition of their student visa. It must be maintained for the duration of their stay and extended if their stay is extended, otherwise their visa may be cancelled.

You can compare OSHC policies for free here.

What is Inbound travel insurance?

Inbound travel insurance, also known as visitor insurance, is designed for non-residents traveling to a specific country, such as Australia. It provides coverage for various unforeseen events, including medical and dental expenses, lost luggage, travel document loss, accidental death, and personal liability. In the context of overseas students coming to Australia, inbound travel insurance can offer protection from the moment they start planning and traveling to their safe return home, covering aspects not included in Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You can compare a couple of policies in the table below.

Brand	Policy Name	Maximum policy duration	Medical cover	Cancellation cover	Apply
	Inbound Travel Insurance	1 year	Unlimited	Benefit limit chosen	Get quote How to apply
	Inbound Plan	1 year	Unlimited	Benefit limit chosen	Get quote How to apply

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHC generally provides limited cover for pre-existing medical conditions. Most OSHC policies have waiting periods before you can claim for pre-existing conditions. These waiting periods can vary but commonly range from 12 months for hospital treatment and 6 months for psychiatric care. It is best to check with your specific OSHC provider about their policy on pre-existing conditions.
Yes, like most health insurance policies OSHC includes waiting periods for certain benefits. For example, there is typically a 12 month waiting period for pregnancy and childbirth related services and for some pre-existing conditions. A 2 month waiting period often applies to psychiatric services and rehabilitation. Basic medical services like doctor visits usually have no waiting period.
If your student visa is extended you must extend your OSHC to cover the new duration of your stay. Your OSHC must remain valid for the entire period you are in Australia on a student visa. If your visa is cancelled or you leave Australia permanently you may be eligible for a refund for the unused portion of your OSHC, subject to your provider's terms and conditions.
To make a claim you will generally need to contact your insurance provider directly. Most providers offer online claim submission through their website or a mobile app. You will usually need to provide details of the incident, relevant medical reports, police reports for lost items and receipts for expenses. Keep all original documents and submit your claim as soon as possible.
Yes, if you finish your studies early and permanently leave Australia before your OSHC policy expires you can usually apply for a refund for the unused portion of your premium. You will need to provide proof of your departure, such as your flight itinerary and visa cancellation or expiry. Contact your OSHC provider for their specific refund process and requirements.

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.

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Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

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A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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2 Responses

hollyNovember 24, 2024

Do I need both OSHC and inbound travel insurance or can I just get the OSHC as a student studying there for a year ?

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AngusNovember 26, 2024Finder

Hi Holly, The two cover different aspects. You’ll definitely want OSHC to cover you for any health incidents while studying in Australia. You might also want inbound travel insurance to cover the cost of your flights (if something happens to disrupt your plans) or lost luggage. Hope this helps.

Travel insurance for overseas students

Are you studying in Australia on a visa? Guide to travel insurance for overseas students.

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