Health Insurance in Australia
(OSHC & OVHC)
Find the right OSHC or OVHC plan in Australia to stay protected and comply with visa health insurance requirements.
Health Insurance in Australia
(OSHC & OVHC)
Find the right OSHC or OVHC plan in Australia to stay protected and comply with visa health insurance requirements.
Our Insurance Partners
Our Insurance Partners
Health insurance in Australia is an essential requirement for most temporary visa holders, including international students and visitors, to ensure access to medical care without facing high out-of-pocket expenses. Â
The Australian Government mandates specific health cover depending on visa type, such as OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) for students and OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) for temporary non-student residents. These policies provide financial protection for hospital treatment, doctor visits, emergency services, and prescription medicines, helping visa holders stay compliant while safeguarding their health during their stay in Australia.
Why is Health Insurance Mandatory for Australian Visas?
Australian visa requires health insurance to guarantee that temporary visa holders can receive medical attention without having to use the public healthcare system of Australia and secure them against the expensive medical care. The Australian Government asks the visa applicants to have sufficient health insurance, including OSHC among international students and OVHC among other temporary visa holders, in order to ensure that they address visa requirements established by the Department of Home Affairs.Â
The mandatory health insurance will assist in covering the hospital and medical costs as well as emergency treatment and ambulance services, which lessen the financial responsibility of the visa-holders and the Australian healthcare system. The inability to keep a valid health insurance may result in visa refusal, cancellation, or non-observance of visa conditions, hence the necessity to have insurance throughout the term of the visa.Â
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What is OSHC Health Insurance?
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is a compulsory insurance policy required by the Australian Government for most international students studying in Australia. It assists in covering medical and hospital treatment expenses during the stay of a student so that they are not subject to the conditions of a visa and would be immune to excessive healthcare costs.Â
OSHC normally finances doctor (GP) appointments, hospital care, ambulance services in case of an emergency, and prescription drugs (under a predefined amount). Usually, it excludes dental, optical and physiotherapy services except when an extras cover is purchased. International students are required to have a valid OSHC throughout the course of their stay in the country, as failure to do so may result in their visa being refused or cancelled. Â
What does OSHC Cover?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides essential medical protection for international students in Australia and helps meet student visa health insurance requirements. 
The standard OSHC policy generally includes:Â
Covers visits to general practitioners and medical centres.
Includes accommodation and medical services for in-hospital care
Cover medically necessary ambulance transport in emergencies
Partial cover for medicines
Limited benefits for consultations with specialists when referred
What is Not Covered by OSHC?
While OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) provides essential medical protection for international students in Australia, it have also some limitations. 
The standard OSHC policy does not cover:Â
Routine check-ups, fillings, extractions, and orthodontics
Eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses
 Only covered if optional extras are purchased
Surgeries or treatments not deemed medically necessary
Treatments like acupuncture or naturopathy are generally excluded
Looking for OSHC or overseas visitor health cover?
Cost of OHSC in Australia
The cost of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia varies depending on factors such as the type of cover (single, couple, or family), the duration of your student visa, and the insurance provider you choose. The cost of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia varies depending on factors such as the type of cover (single, couple, or family), the duration of your student visa, and the insurance provider you choose.Â
| OSHC Premiums | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single (12 months) | AUD $478 - $609 |
| Couple (12 months) | ~AUD $2,600 - $4,000 |
| Family (12 months) | ~AUD $4,000 - $4,200+ |
| Single (3 Years) | Can reach AUD $2,000+ |
What is Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)?
Overseas Visitor Health cover (OVHC) is a form of private health insurance in Australia aimed at temporary holders of visas who are not eligible for OSHC or Medicare. It covers your medical and hospital bills in Australia and assists in meeting the cost of health care services like doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions and emergency services.Â
OVHC must also be provided where visas like temporary work visas, visitor visas and bridging visas are involved, to ensure that the visa complies with the Australian visa health requirement. Ensuring you have a valid OVHC throughout your visa will prevent any visa problems and excessive out-of-pocket medical expenses.Â
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What does OVHC Cover?
OVHC provides essential medical and hospital coverage for temporary visa holders in Australia, helping protect against unexpected healthcare costs. 
Standard OVHC policies typically include:
Covers visits to general practitioners and medical clinics.
Covers in-hospital medical services and accommodation
Cover medically necessary ambulance transport in emergencies.
Partial cover for prescribed medications, subject to policy limits
Cover specialist treatment when referred by a GP
Cost of OVHC in Australia
The Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) in Australia varies in cost, depending on the nature of the visa, the coverage level, and the insurance company. The basic OVHC plans typically begin at AUD 70 to 90 per month, whereas the typical plans of the hospital and medical coverage are AUD 100 to 200 per month. OVHC plans with extras like dental and optical may cost AUD 250 to 380+ monthly. The prices can change according to age, visa period and benefits options.Â
| OVHC Premiums | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic | AUD 70-90/month |
| Hospital & Medical Coverage | AUD 100-200/month |
| Including Extra (Dental & Optical) | AUD 250-380+/monthly |
OSHC vs OVHC - Key Difference
| Criteria | OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) | OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) |
|---|---|---|
| Target group | International students | Non-student temporary visa holders |
| Applicable visas | Student visas (Subclass 500, 590) | Visitor, work, bridging, and other temporary visas |
| Government requirement | Mandatory for student visa approval | Required for many temporary visas (e.g., condition 8501) |
| Medical services | GP visits, hospital care, ambulance, limited medicines | GP visits, hospital care, ambulance, medicines (policy-based) |
| Extras (dental/optical) | Not included unless added | Available as optional extras |
| Flexibility of cover | Standardised student-focused cover | Standardised student-focused cover |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | Typically more expensive |
| Policy duration | Must cover entire student visa period | Based on visa length and selected policy |
Need Help?
Get Experts Help and choose the best Health Insurance policy for your Stay in Australia as an international students as well as if you are planning for visitor visa!
How to Choose the Right OSHC or OVHC Policy?
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Make sure that the policy suits the special health insurance needs of your visa, including OSHC in case of a student visa or OVHC in case of a work/ visitor visa. A non-compliant policy may result in visa refusal or cancellation. Â
Check what the policy includes, such as hospital, medical and prescription services and any optional extras such as dental or optical. Choosing a plan that covers less than what you need might expose you to high out-of-pocket medical bills.Â
Select a policy that corresponds with your visa duration, either a short-term or a long-term policy, to eliminate loopholes in coverage. Constant coverage is a requirement in order to be in line with the Australian visa terms.Â
Determine whether the policy has waiting periods on some of the treatments or pre-existing conditions. The awareness of such limitations will prevent unforeseen medical expenses.Â
Various insurance companies provide different benefits, insurance rates, and the quality of customer service. Compare a variety of providers to get a plan that is both affordable and covers everything. Â
Other services such as dental, optical, and physiotherapy, among others, have their extra cover in some of the policies. It is also possible to have extras which offer more protection as a whole and this would be better where you are expecting to incur such services during your stay.Â
Approved OSHC & OVHC Providers in Australia
| Provider | Types of Cover Offered | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | OSHC & OVHC | Flexible plans, comprehensive hospital and medical cover, and optional dental/optical |
| Medibank | OSHC & OVHC | Standard and premium plans, easy online enrollment, multi-year coverage |
| Allianz Care | OSHC & OVHC | Offers multiple tiers, optional extras, online claims, wide hospital network |
| NIB | OSHC & OVHC | Budget-friendly plans, online management, hospital and medical coverage |
| AHM | OSHC & OVHC | Affordable plans, basic hospital and medical coverage, student-focused options |
| CBHS International | OSHC & OVHC | Covers students and temporary visa holders, multiple plan levels, emergency services |
| HCF | OVHC | Focused on temporary visa holders, flexible levels, optional extras available |
| Westfund | OVHC | Offers hospital and medical coverage, optional extras, suitable for visitor visas |
Choosing an approved health insurance provider is essential to meet Australian visa requirements and ensure access to quality medical care during your stay.
At Bjay Education and Visa Services, we provide referrals to trusted, government-approved OSHC and OVHC providers to help you select the right, visa-compliant health insurance.Â
1. Bupa International
Bupa is a health insurer globally known to provide both OSHC and OVHC policies in Australia with large networks of hospitals and medical care. It usually covers doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency care in its plans along with other support services and customer care services to visa holders, you can use the official referral or application link to apply for Bupa health insurance.
2. Medibank Private
Medibank offers government-approved OSHC and OVHC, which covers visa requirements and gives the client a wide range of health providers in the country. Their policies usually incorporate telehealth, ambulance emergency cover, and web-based tools to handle claims and membership, applications can be completed using the provider’s referral or application link.
3. Allianz Care
Allianz Care provides OSHC and OVHC with an emphasis on the availability of care and 24/7 assistance, as well as the option of locating a doctor and filing a claim online. Their schemes assist the international students and visitors to cover their medical expenses and meet the requirements of the Australian visa health, you can apply through the designated referral or application link provided by Allianz.
4. NIB Health Funds
nib offers OSHC and OVHC convenient access online, contemporary member portals, and expansive options regarding core medical and hospital services. Their products and services are mostly selected due to the convenience and responsiveness in providing customer care including 24 hour services.
5. AHM
The AHM, which is a member of the Medibank group, provides affordable OSHC and OVHC plans that are inclusive of the necessary visa health insurance requirements, and are inclusive of the hospital, doctor, and emergency services benefits. It is usually chosen by cost-saving students and temporary residents who want to have a good Australian health cover.
6. CBHS
CBHS offers government-approved OSHC and OVHC at competitive prices and core medical benefits, such as hospital treatment and prescription medicines. It is oriented to simplicity and low cost to international students and visitors.
7. HCF
HCF provides OVHC to temporary visa holders, including hospital and medical covers, allied health services and optional extras, as well as emergency ambulance benefits. It is one of the biggest non-profit health funds in Australia and its objective is to provide value and wide coverage to policyholders.
8. Westfund Health
Westfund offers OVHC with flexible plans such as hospital, doctor, and specialist visits and plans with extras such as dental and optical services. It is a non-profit making insurance company which deals with low-cost health insurance for temporary employees and visitors in Australia.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Health Insurance
Many visa holders select a policy that does not match their visa requirements, such as OVHC instead of OSHC for students. This can lead to visa non-compliance and potential refusal.
Failing to maintain continuous coverage during your stay in Australia can result in gaps in protection and visa compliance issues. Always renew or extend your policy before it expires.
Some policies have restrictions on hospital stays, prescription medicines, or pre-existing conditions. Not checking these limits can leave you responsible for unexpected medical expenses.Â
Different insurers offer varying benefits, pricing, and customer service. Failing to compare options may mean paying more for less coverage.Â
Dental, optical, physiotherapy, or other allied health services are often not included by default. Ignoring optional extras can result in additional out-of-pocket costs if you need these services.Â
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Health Insurance
Many visa holders select a policy that does not match their visa requirements, such as OVHC instead of OSHC for students. This can lead to visa non-compliance and potential refusal.
Failing to maintain continuous coverage during your stay in Australia can result in gaps in protection and visa compliance issues. Always renew or extend your policy before it expires.
Some policies have restrictions on hospital stays, prescription medicines, or pre-existing conditions. Not checking these limits can leave you responsible for unexpected medical expenses.Â
Different insurers offer varying benefits, pricing, and customer service. Failing to compare options may mean paying more for less coverage.Â
Dental, optical, physiotherapy, or other allied health services are often not included by default. Ignoring optional extras can result in additional out-of-pocket costs if you need these services.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, OSHC is a type of private health insurance designed specifically for international students in Australia.Â
Yes, OVHC is also a private health insurance for temporary visa holders who are not eligible for OSHC or Medicare.Â
Yes, OSHC is mandatory for all international students applying for an Australian student visa.Â
Yes, you can switch to OSHC if you become eligible as a student, but you must ensure continuous coverage to meet visa requirements.Â
Yes, you can change health insurance providers after your visa is granted, as long as the new policy remains compliant with visa conditions.Â
If your health insurance expires, you may become non-compliant with visa conditions, which can lead to visa issues and uncovered medical expenses.Â
