Overseas Health Cover (OSHC)

All students from overseas are mandatory to have OSHC for the entire duration of the study to maintain the condition of student visa. OSHC ensures that international students can meet the costs of hospital and medical while in Australia.

Direct/ Bulk billing- Direct billing providers include local doctors (GPs) and specialists who submit bills directly to student`s OSHC provider; which means you do not have to pay anything and only provide your membership card at the point of availing medical services. However, it is important that you only visit direct billing providers, if not you may incur gap fees (additional costs). Waiting period- All OSHC policy includes a waiting period for the treatment of pre-existing conditions (i.e. a condition that you had in the 6 months prior to arriving in Australia or grant of your student visa). It means that if you receive medical treatment for a pre-existing condition during the waiting period, you cannot claim for the costs and pay the entire amount from your own pocket. The waiting periods will differ depending on which OSHC policy you have purchased.

• 2 month waiting period for pre-existing psychiatric-related medical conditions
• 12 month waiting period for all pregnancy-related conditions
• 12 months waiting period for all other pre-existing medical conditions

• No waiting period for pregnancy-related or psychiatric medical services
• 12 month waiting period for all other pre-existing medical conditions

Your waiting period will start from either:

• The date you or your dependent (as the case may be) arrived in Australia; or
• The date your student visa was granted, whichever is the later date.

OVHC is a health insurance for international visitors wishing to travel or work in Australia. For example, those on Temporary Work Visa (485) are meant to have OVHC cover to fulfill the requirement of Temporary Graduate Visa. OVHC policy can have different covers depending on the range of services included.