Frequently Asked Questions (About OSHC & OVHC)

OSHC: Yes, if you are an international student on a student visa (subclass 500), it is a mandatory visa condition (Condition 8501) for you and any accompanying family members to maintain OSHC throughout your entire stay in Australia. There are limited exceptions for students from Norway, Sweden, and Belgium due to special government arrangements.

OVHC: Having adequate health insurance is highly recommended and often a visa requirement for those on other temporary visas in Australia, such as skilled work, working holiday, graduate, or visitor visas, to ensure financial protection against unexpected medical expenses.

Basic OSHC generally covers essential medical services, including doctor’s visits (often 100% of the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) fee for GPs and up to 85% for specialists), some hospital treatment (minimum 100% for accidents and emergencies), limited prescription medications, and emergency ambulance services.

It’s important to note that OSHC and OVHC cover a proportion of costs, not all medical and hospital expenses. Services like dental, optical, and physiotherapy are usually not included in basic cover but can be obtained through ‘extra’ cover options or more comprehensive policies.

Be aware of waiting periods for certain services: typically 12 months for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy-related conditions, and 2 months for pre-existing psychiatric conditions. These waiting periods do not apply for emergency treatment.

OSHC: You must have OSHC for the entire duration of your student visa, including any additional time you plan to spend in Australia once your studies have finished. If your OSHC lapses, your visa may be cancelled.

OVHC: The required coverage period depends on your specific visa type and length of stay, which can range from 3 to 48 months for certain visas.

Yes, international students can generally switch OSHC providers at any time. However, it is essential to ensure continuous coverage and avoid any lapse in your policy. To switch, you should first purchase a new policy with your chosen provider and then cancel your existing policy. Any waiting periods you’ve served with your previous insurer will typically count towards your new policy. Some providers may charge a refund processing fee.

Once you graduate, you are no longer considered a student and become ineligible for OSHC. You will need to transition to an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) policy. Insurancebooking.com.au can help you find suitable OVHC options for various post-study visas, such as the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa.

At Insurancebooking.com.au, we partner with leading OSHC and OVHC providers in Australia, including NIB, BUPA, Medibank, Allianz Care, and AHM. The Australian Government Department of Health has approved these health funds to offer OSHC.

When you receive a bill, you generally have two choices: You can pay the bill and then claim a refund from your OSHC/OVHC provider, or you can sometimes have the bill sent directly to your provider for payment. For pharmaceutical claims, you usually pay first and then claim reimbursement. It is recommended to contact your insurer before agreeing to treatment to understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

You can apply for and receive your OSHC/OVHC certificate quickly. It will be sent by email as soon as your payment is received.

You can activate your membership directly on your insurer’s website once you have arrived in Australia, using the details from your policy certificate. After registration, allow 7-10 business days for the physical membership card to be delivered to your given address. Should you require further assistance, you should contact us or your insurer directly.

You can only cancel your OSHC and get a refund under certain circumstances. These include not taking up studies in Australia, being granted permanent residence or another non-student Australian visa, being obliged to cease studies and leave Australia for reasons beyond your control, or providing proof of OSHC from another insurer covering the same period.

If your student visa has been refused, you are eligible for a full refund of the premium paid. In this case, you should send an email with your visa refusal letter or a visa withdrawal letter to facilitate the cancellation with the insurance company.