Things to Consider When Purchasing OSHC
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance designed to help international students access essential medical and emergency services during their stay in Australia.
Before buying OSHC, it’s important to understand what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how to choose the right policy for your needs.
Understanding Your Healthcare Needs
While studying abroad, you’ll still need to take care of your health—routine check-ups, vaccinations, and management of ongoing conditions.
-
If you have a condition like asthma or diabetes, you’ll need regular access to prescriptions. OSHC falls under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which helps reduce the cost of many medicines. Without OSHC, you’ll pay full price out of pocket.
-
Some services, such as dental care, mental health support, or specialist treatments, are not usually covered by standard OSHC plans. You may need to budget separately for these.
Budget and Cost Considerations
The cost of OSHC depends on:
-
How long you’ll be in Australia.
-
The type and level of coverage.
-
The provider you choose.
Tip: Don’t just go for the cheapest plan. Lower premiums may mean fewer benefits, and you could end up paying more later if your health needs aren’t covered.
-
Compare multiple providers.
-
Consider your medical history and needs.
-
If you have a pre-existing condition, check waiting periods and coverage rules carefully.
Duration of Coverage
A common mistake is buying OSHC that doesn’t cover your entire stay.
Your OSHC must:
-
Cover the full length of your student visa.
-
Start before you arrive in Australia.
-
Continue until you leave, or until your visa expires.
Exclusions and Limitations
Every OSHC policy meets the minimum requirements of visa condition 8501, but policies vary in what they cover beyond that.
-
Exclusions – Services not included at all (e.g., dental, optical, elective surgery).
-
Limitations – Services that are only partly covered or capped at a set limit.
Always read the fine print to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.
Customer Support and Assistance
Good customer service is essential, especially if you’re in a new country and English isn’t your first language.
-
Many providers offer multilingual support and 24/7 assistance.
-
Check customer reviews to see how responsive providers are in emergencies.
Renewal and Policy Extensions
Renewing your OSHC is straightforward:
-
You can stay with the same provider or switch to another if you find a better option.
-
Renewal is usually available directly on the provider’s website.
-
Know your expiry date and renew early. Some insurers offer a 30-day grace period, but it’s always safer to renew on time.
If you’re looking at other visa options:
-
Working visa health insurance for visa subclass 485, 482, 417, 462, 408 and more can be compared at www.485visainsurance.com.au
-
Visitor visa health insurance for visa subclass 600 can be compared at www.600visainsurance.com.au
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance designed to help international students access essential medical and emergency services during their stay in Australia.
Before buying OSHC, it’s important to understand what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how to choose the right policy for your needs.
Understanding Your Healthcare Needs
While studying abroad, you’ll still need to take care of your health—routine check-ups, vaccinations, and management of ongoing conditions.
- If you have a condition like asthma or diabetes, you’ll need regular access to prescriptions. OSHC falls under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which helps reduce the cost of many medicines. Without OSHC, you’ll pay full price out of pocket.
- Some services, such as dental care, mental health support, or specialist treatments, are not usually covered by standard OSHC plans. You may need to budget separately for these.
Budget and Cost Considerations
The cost of OSHC depends on:
- How long you’ll be in Australia.
- The type and level of coverage.
- The provider you choose.
Tip: Don’t just go for the cheapest plan. Lower premiums may mean fewer benefits, and you could end up paying more later if your health needs aren’t covered.
- Compare multiple providers.
- Consider your medical history and needs.
- If you have a pre-existing condition, check waiting periods and coverage rules carefully.
Duration of Coverage
A common mistake is buying OSHC that doesn’t cover your entire stay.
Your OSHC must:
- Cover the full length of your student visa.
- Start before you arrive in Australia.
- Continue until you leave, or until your visa expires.
Exclusions and Limitations
Every OSHC policy meets the minimum requirements of visa condition 8501, but policies vary in what they cover beyond that.
- Exclusions – Services not included at all (e.g., dental, optical, elective surgery).
- Limitations – Services that are only partly covered or capped at a set limit.
Always read the fine print to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.
Customer Support and Assistance
Good customer service is essential, especially if you’re in a new country and English isn’t your first language.
- Many providers offer multilingual support and 24/7 assistance.
- Check customer reviews to see how responsive providers are in emergencies.
Renewal and Policy Extensions
Renewing your OSHC is straightforward:
- You can stay with the same provider or switch to another if you find a better option.
- Renewal is usually available directly on the provider’s website.
- Know your expiry date and renew early. Some insurers offer a 30-day grace period, but it’s always safer to renew on time.
If you’re looking at other visa options:
- Working visa health insurance for visa subclass 485, 482, 417, 462, 408 and more can be compared at www.485visainsurance.com.au
- Visitor visa health insurance for visa subclass 600 can be compared at www.600visainsurance.com.au