The Complete OSHC & OVHC Guide — Mandatory Health Cover for Students and Temporary Visa Holders
This guide sets out the concept, how and when to join, claiming, and key cautions for OSHC and OVHC health cover — mandatory for the Australian student visa (subclass 500) and temporary work and other visas — based on official Australian sources.
What are OSHC and OVHC?
Foreigners who study or stay temporarily in Australia for work and other reasons are, in most cases, not eligible for Australia's public health system (Medicare). That is why you are required to take out private health cover that suits your visa type. The main examples are OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) for holders of the student visa (subclass 500), and OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) for holders of other temporary visas such as work visas. This cover reduces the burden of unexpected medical costs and, at the same time, is an essential item for meeting your visa conditions.
OSHC vs OVHC vs Medicare — what is the difference?
OSHC is exclusively for student visas, while OVHC is for holders of temporary visas such as work visas. Medicare is a public health scheme for permanent residents, citizens, and others, and in principle temporary visa holders are not eligible. However, nationals of certain countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia (for example, the UK and Ireland) may be able to access some Medicare services. The terms of the agreement and eligibility requirements differ from country to country, so check on the official site.
How do I take out cover?
As a rule, you should take out cover before you apply for your visa. Choose from the government-approved insurers designated by the Department of Home Affairs by comparing coverage, duration, and price; take out cover for your entire stay; and then use the certificate that is issued for your visa application. Rather than recommending any particular insurer, it is best to compare the terms of the approved insurers yourself.
Pre-application checklist
The following information may be required when you apply to join. Having it ready in advance speeds up the process.
- Passport details and visa type (e.g. subclass 500, 482)
- Your planned period of stay in Australia (from your expected entry date to your expected end date)
- Whether family will accompany you (number of spouse and children) and each person's visa details
The coverage period must be set from the time you apply for your visa through to your expected departure, without any gap. It is usual to allow a buffer so that cover starts before your visa begins. Check the latest requirements on the official site.
Who needs to join, and when?
For people applying for a student visa (subclass 500), taking out OSHC is a mandatory condition for visa approval, and you must already have it in place at the time you apply for the visa. Holders of other temporary visas, such as work visas, may be required to have appropriate cover such as OVHC, depending on their visa conditions. The time to join is generally before you apply for your visa, and it must cover your entire stay.
- Student visa (subclass 500) — take out OSHC, then apply for the visa
- Temporary work and other visas (e.g. 482) — check OVHC or other cover that matches your visa conditions
- Nationals of RHCA countries — separately check whether some Medicare access is available
Requirements differ by visa type and nationality and change frequently. Always check the conditions that apply to you on the official Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia sites.
Key points you must know
Here are four things that are easy to miss before and after taking out cover.
For a student visa, not having OSHC or having a gap in cover can affect the approval and maintenance of your visa. Insurance is not optional — it is a requirement.
A coverage gap opens up if your cover start date is later than your entry date, or if your cover ends before your visa expires. Set the period with plenty of margin.
Not all treatment is covered immediately right after you join. Pre-existing conditions, obstetric care, and the like can only be claimed once the waiting period has passed.
Nationals of certain countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia may be able to access some Medicare services. However, the agreement countries and scope are limited, so check your eligibility first.
Practical checklist for taking out cover
Working through the following order will help you prepare everything without missing anything.
- I have confirmed the cover that matches my visa type (OSHC/OVHC, etc.).
- I have compared the coverage, duration, and price of government-approved insurers.
- I have set the period to cover my entire stay without any gap.
- I have obtained the certificate and attached it to my visa application.
- After arrival, I have activated my membership and received my card.
Cautions and practical tips
Here are the points that people most often find confusing in actual use.
- Read the included and excluded items in the terms in advance (dental, glasses, physiotherapy, and the like may be separate).
- To claim after treatment, it is common to keep your receipt and apply for reimbursement via an app or website.
- An out-of-pocket cost (the gap) may arise, so check the reimbursement rate before booking a hospital appointment.
- When you extend your visa, renew your cover immediately to the new end date to prevent a gap.
- In an emergency, call 000 (the emergency number); for non-emergency health advice, use the government health information service.
Official links and references
- Department of Home Affairs — OSHC (학생비자 500)(opens in a new window)
Department of Home Affairs — official guidance on the OSHC requirement for student visas
- Study Australia — Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)(opens in a new window)
Study Australia (Australian Department of Education) — overview of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and how to join
- privatehealth.gov.au — Overseas visitors health cover(opens in a new window)
privatehealth.gov.au (Private Health Insurance Ombudsman) — information on health cover for overseas visitors and temporary visa holders
- Services Australia — Reciprocal Health Care Agreements(opens in a new window)
Services Australia — guidance on Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) countries and Medicare access eligibility
- Department of Home Affairs — Health insurance (condition 8501)(opens in a new window)
Department of Home Affairs — guidance on temporary visa health cover requirements (such as condition 8501)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OSHC and OVHC?▾
OSHC is Overseas Student Health Cover for holders of the student visa (subclass 500), while OVHC is Overseas Visitor Health Cover for holders of other temporary visas, such as work visas. The type of cover you need depends on your visa, so be sure to check the conditions of your own visa.
Is taking out cover mandatory?▾
For student visas, taking out OSHC is a mandatory requirement for visa approval, and it must cover your entire stay. Work and other temporary visas may also require appropriate cover such as OVHC, depending on the visa conditions (for example, a condition to maintain adequate health insurance). Not having cover can affect your visa.
If I enrol in Medicare, do I still need OSHC?▾
Medicare is a public health scheme mainly for permanent residents and citizens, and most temporary visa holders are not eligible. That said, nationals of certain countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia may be able to access some Medicare services. Check your own eligibility with Services Australia.
Am I covered for all treatment as soon as I join?▾
No. Most policies have a waiting period. In particular, pre-existing conditions and obstetric care (pregnancy and childbirth) are only covered after a set period has passed since you joined. Check the exact waiting periods in your policy terms.
How do I claim medical costs?▾
Typically you receive treatment and then claim a reimbursement from your insurer using the receipt, similar to a Medicare claim. Some hospitals and pharmacies also settle directly with the insurer (direct billing). The reimbursement rate and your out-of-pocket cost (the gap) vary from policy to policy.
Are family members (spouse and children) covered too?▾
Many family (couple or family) policies let you include a spouse or children. Accompanying family members may each need cover that suits their own visa conditions, so check who is covered and what is required before you join.
If I extend my visa, do I have to extend my cover too?▾
Yes. If your stay is extended, your cover must also be extended to the new visa end date without any gap. It is safest to renew early so that no gap opens up between when your cover expires and when your visa expires.