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Overseas Student Health Covers 
It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines). 
OSHC insurers can provide a range of different OSHC products. These may range from a basic product which covers only the compulsory minimum services to comprehensive products which cover, in addition to the compulsory minimum services, extra services as specified under the particular policy.
The Department of Home Affairs requires overseas students to maintain OSHC for the duration of time they are in Australia. 

OSHC must be purchased before arrival in Australia and must be aligned with the intended Student Visa period – evidence of OSHC is required at time of Student Visa application. An overseas student (and their dependants) cannot enter Australia until the OSHC policy has commenced.
While in Australia, overseas students can transfer their cover to another OSHC insurer if they choose, providing their cover does not lapse (overseas students must never be without OSHC while in Australia). Waiting periods served with one insurer will count toward waiting periods with the new insurer. 

HOW IT WORKS ?

OSHC products and policies may only be offered by insurers that are a party to the Australian Government Deed for the Provision of Overseas Student Health Cover (the Deed). The Deed sets out conditions with which a registered Australian private health insurer (the insurer) must comply in order to provide OSHC products and policies. 

There are currently 6 private health insurers operating in Australia which offer OSHC:

• ahm OSHC (offered through Medibank Private)
• Allianz Global Assistance (Peoplecare Health)
• Bupa Australia
• CBHS International Health
• Medibank Private
• nib

OSHC can typically be purchased directly through:

• the overseas student’s Educational Institution or University; 
• the insurer; 
• a migration agent; or 
• an education agent acting as an intermediary on behalf of the Educational Institution. 

OSHC products and policies vary between individual insurers so it is important to take note of what is (and is not) covered under each product. While, insurers are required to offer a minimum level of benefits (as set out in the Deed) they may choose to offer additional benefits above the minimum as part of their product offering. These additional benefits may include ‘extras’ or include higher benefits for certain services. Costs will vary and will be dependent on the level of cover provided by each insurer. 
A Single OSHC insurance policy applies to the overseas student who is the primary Student Visa holder and who does not have dependents linked to their Student Visa. For an overseas student with dependants joining them in Australia, a Couple, Single-Parent and/or Family OSHC policy applies.

There are waiting periods for certain services (excluding emergency treatments) covered under OSHC products and policies. Services and treatments covered under a person’s policy will only attract a benefit once a policy holder has served the required waiting period.