Short Answer
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory for all Student Visa (Subclass 500) holders and their dependants in Australia. In 2026 the government-approved OSHC insurers include Allianz Care Australia, Bupa Australia, CBHS International Health, Medibank/ahm, and nib OSHC. This guide explains the visa requirement, what OSHC covers and does not cover, how to see a GP or specialist, how to submit a claim, and how the UNILINK platform lets you compare insurers side-by-side and pay in your local currency via Flywire. This article does not constitute medical advice; all coverage details, benefit limits, and waiting periods are subject to each insurer’s current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
OSHC Is a Visa Requirement — Here Is What You Must Check
The Department of Home Affairs requires all Student Visa (Subclass 500) holders to maintain OSHC for the entire duration of their stay under visa condition 8501. Your OSHC start date must cover the day you arrive in Australia. The end date must extend to your visa expiry. Any gap in coverage can jeopardise your visa compliance.
Key checks before lodging your visa application: the name on the policy must match your passport exactly; start and end dates must have no gaps; if you have dependants (spouse, children) they must be covered on the same or a separate OSHC policy. You do not have to accept the OSHC your university nominates — you have the right to choose any government-approved insurer.
What OSHC Covers and Does Not Cover in 2026
OSHC provides coverage for: GP (general practitioner) and specialist consultations (partial, based on the MBS schedule), public and private hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, limited prescription medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and — as of the 2026 Study Australia update — mental health care services accessed through a GP referral.
OSHC generally does not cover: routine dental (check-ups, fillings, orthodontics), optometry and prescription glasses/contact lenses, physiotherapy, chiropractic and acupuncture (unless covered by an extras add-on), assisted reproductive services, medical costs incurred outside Australia, and pre-existing conditions (unless continuous coverage meets the insurer’s qualifying period).
Where to Buy OSHC and How to Pay
Purchasing channels in 2026: directly through each insurer’s website, or through the UNILINK online platform. The UNILINK platform aggregates quotes from the approved insurers in real time, so you can compare coverage and price in one place. Payment is handled through Flywire, supporting Alipay, China UnionPay, CNY bank transfer, and Visa/Mastercard/JCB — with the same exchange rate as a bank wire transfer, no markup. Key platform features: AI-assisted coverage matching (checks your COE and visa details against policy requirements), in-platform policy management and renewal, and automatic renewal reminders. Visit pay.unilink.co/oshc to compare and purchase.
Below we profile two of the government-approved insurers — each article rotates two different providers to give balanced coverage across the full set. These are descriptive comparisons, not rankings.
Bupa Australia: Strengths include the largest direct-billing GP network in major Australian cities, a 24/7 Chinese-language support line, and strong brand recognition. Their base OSHC product does not include extras such as dental and physiotherapy — those require a separate add-on. Always verify current premiums and benefit limits against the PDS.
Medibank: Strengths include the highest annual prescription medicine benefit cap at AUD 600, a wide hospital network, and coverage for some mental health services through GP referral pathways. The claims process through the Medibank app is generally considered straightforward. Their lowest-tier product may have higher excess amounts, so compare product tiers carefully. Always verify against the current PDS.
FAQ
Can I switch OSHC providers mid-course? Yes, you can switch to any government-approved insurer. Ensure there is no gap between your old and new policy, and that the new insurer can issue a certificate your university and the Department of Home Affairs will accept.
Does OSHC cover dental or optical? Basic OSHC does not cover routine dental, optometry, or glasses. Some insurers offer extras add-ons at an additional cost. Check the specific PDS.
What if my visa is refused — can I get a refund? Most insurers offer a full refund (less a small admin fee) if you provide evidence of visa refusal before the policy start date. Confirm refund terms at the point of purchase.
Sources
- Australian Department of Health OSHC Fact Sheet (latest version): health.gov.au
- PrivateHealth.gov.au OSHC guide: privatehealth.gov.au
- Study Australia: studyaustralia.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs visa health insurance: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Individual insurer PDS documents (2026)
Last updated: August 2026. Premiums, benefit limits and waiting periods change. Always verify against the insurer’s current PDS before purchasing.
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