Overseas Student Health Cover (2024)

In Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory requirement of your student visa unless an exception applies. You must have OSHC for the entire time you are studying in Australia. OSHC helps you easily access medical services while you are in Australia – so you can focus on your studies and enjoying your time in Australia.

To meet the student visa requirements and eligibility for OSHC the Australian Government requires that you have continuous OSHC for the entire length of your stay in Australia, unless an exception applies. When you purchase OSHC, you’ll need to pay your policy premium upfront to cover you for the length of your student visa.

Single– covering only the overseas student who is the primary Student Visa holder/applicant*

Dual family– covering the overseas student and their partner, or the overseas student and their dependant children

Multi-family– covering the overseas student, a partner, and their dependant children

*Important note: if you hold a secondary Student Visa, you must be insured under the same policy as the primary Student Visa holder. You are not eligible to hold an OSHC policy in your own right if you are a secondary Student Visa holder or a dependant. A spouse or de facto partner of a primary Student Visa holder or applicant is considered a secondary Student Visa holder.

As an international student, you are requiredto maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia unless an exception applies.Overseas students who don’t maintain adequate health insurance are at risk of having their visa cancelled.

Allianz Care Australia may provide the Department of Home Affairs with the name and contact details of any member who has cancelled his or her Policy or whose premium is refunded.

Read the Policy Wording to learn more about eligibility and requirement

If you hold a secondary Student Visa, you must be insured under the same policy as the primary Student Visa holder. You are not eligible to hold an OSHC policy in your own right if you are a secondary Student Visa holder or a dependant. A Partner of a primary Student Visa holder or applicant is considered a secondary Student Visa holder.

If we become aware that you and any dependants have not purchased the correct OSHC policy type, we may notify you that you must transfer your policy to the correct OSHC policy type. We will give you and your dependants a reasonable period to undertake corrective action on your OSHC policy. If you and your dependants fail to respond and undertake the corrective action, we may transfer your OSHC policy or policies to the appropriate OSHC policy type and issue a revised invoice to you. If you and your dependants fail to pay the revised invoice by the date specified, we may withhold benefits payable for services under your policy.

Upon payment of a revised invoice, we will re-issue policydocumentation and credit any waiting periods already served underyour previous OSHC policy.

The Australian Government requires you have continuous OSHC for the entire length of your stay in Australia. You can purchase OSHC for the proposed length of your Student Visa.

Start Date
Your OSHC policy start date should match your arrival date in Australia or your student visa grant date, whichever is later, to ensure that you are covered for the entire length of your stay.

End Date
Your OSHC policy end date should match your departure date from Australia or your student visa end date, to ensure that you are covered for the entire length of your stay.

READ THE POLICY WORDING TO LEARN MORE

To learn how to calculate your cover start and end date visit theDepartment of Home Affairs.

Allianz Care Australia has two different ways you can make an OSHC claim.

  • Claim online via theMyHealth online members portal.
  • Download ourMyHealth appto manage all your claims on your smart phone.

Find out more about making an OSHC claim here.

Allianz Care Australia's standard Overseas Student Health Cover does not cover dental, optical, physiotherapy or other extras treatments. You can arrange additional coverage for such service with OSHC Extras coverage. To find out more about what OSHC does cover, compare OSHC here.

If the country you are from has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you may be able to access some subsidised health services with Medicare while you are here.Even if your country has an agreement with Australia, your access to cover may be limited and you may still require OSHC.

The cost of your overseas student health cover will depend on how long you plan to study in Australia, your visa and the number of people on your policy.

Overseas Student Health Cover (2024)

FAQs

How does health insurance work for international students? ›

The University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) meets all J visa health insurance requirements, including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. You are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP when your registration fees are assessed and appear on your campus billing or “ZOT” account.

How much is health insurance for international students in USA? ›

Factors like the duration of time you are planning on studying and the kind of coverage you need can impact the price you pay for an annual insurance plan. On average, such a plan may cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per year.

Can I get a refund from OSHC? ›

When to request a Refund. Where a request to close or refund part of your OSHC is accepted by us, we will refund the unused portion of your premiums where: You paid for ahm OSHC but did not come to Australia to take up studies. You have paid your premiums for an extended stay, but your student visa was not extended.

How to get health insurance for F1 visa? ›

Schools require students to either register for a predetermined insurance plan, or provide their own comparable medical coverage via waiver form. Students planning to waive a school's mandatory insurance plan have the opportunity to seek other coverage options that align closer to their budget expectations.

Can F-1 students get Obamacare? ›

Obamacare introduced minimum essential coverage standards, and plans that meet these standards are considered ACA-compliant. However Obamacare is not applicable for international students on the F1 visa.

Does health insurance cover a person if they travel internationally? ›

Generally, most domestic health insurance policies are not accepted abroad, so there is a benefit to purchasing travel medical insurance as a supplement to your health insurance coverage. The travel medical coverage is only valid while you're traveling.

Does health insurance give refunds? ›

Many companies will issue a refund for the period of time left on your policy. You should also check your bank statements after your new health insurance coverage starts to ensure the canceled plan isn't still in effect. You'll also want to ensure your new policy is active under the latest monthly payment amounts.

Can I change my OSHC? ›

If you have your OSHC cover with Allianz Care Australia, you can apply to renew or change your OSHC online through the Allianz Care Australia website. Otherwise, contact your government-approved OSHC provider for options available to renew or change your cover.

Is it possible to refund tuition? ›

Tuition refund policies vary from college to college. They are usually offered on a sliding scale and most colleges won't refund any money after the fourth week of classes.

Which insurance is best for international students in the USA? ›

What Are the Best Health Insurance Plans for International Students in the USA?
  • ExchangeGuard.
  • Patriot Exchange Program.
  • Student Secure.
  • Student Health Advantage.
  • Study USA.
  • Navigator Student.

How can a non US citizen get health insurance? ›

New immigrants – including those who gain citizenship or lawful permanent residency – can obtain health insurance from a variety of sources, including employer-sponsored plans, the individual/family market, and health plans that are marketed specifically for immigrants.

Is health insurance mandatory for F-1 opt? ›

For OPT visa holders, there are no government-related health insurance requirements. Sometimes, your educational institution will determine a required medical insurance coverage level but may offer minimal direction.

Is healthcare free in USA for international students? ›

Yes, international students in the U.S. typically need to pay for health care. They are not automatically covered by a government health plan like some U.S. citizens and usually need to purchase private health insurance or obtain insurance through their educational institution.

How does international health insurance work? ›

International medical insurance plans cover your healthcare costs wherever you are. Coverage usually includes in-patient, out-patient, wellness, evacuation, dental, and vision treatment, along with other premium benefits. Global policies are often renewable annually for life or until your specified termination date.

How do international students pay for medical school? ›

Institutional loans and scholarships may be available to you through your medical school. Most international students access funding through their school or private loans. Check your target school's websites for news about their international student scholarships and funding opportunities.

Are international students required to have insurance? ›

International students attending CCSF are required to purchase the medical insurance policy authorized by CCSF, unless the student has health insurance through their spouse, domestic partner, or parent's employer here in the US or through a governmental scholarship.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 6271

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.