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

Can an international student get health insurance in USA? ›

For all non-U.S. citizen students studying in the USA, international student insurance is mandatory, and students cannot register for classes without showing proof of student health insurance. Healthcare is not free for international students. It must be paid for in one fashion or another.

Which oshc is best? ›

Which OSHC provider is the best ? The leading providers of OSHC policy are CBHS, AHM, Nib, Allianz Care, Medi Bank, and Bupa. They are approved by Australian immigration and are eligible to provide health insurance to overseas students. The CBHS is the cheapest, and Bupa is the most expensive.

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.

Do you need health insurance to study abroad? ›

Not only can health insurance save you from some unnecessary financial stress and struggle, but it's often not optional, as your school, study abroad provider, or host country may require you to be covered. Figuring out the perfect insurance plan before you go overseas is essential.

What is the best insurance for international students? ›

Here are our top picks for companies that offer student travel insurance:
  • Faye: Our top pick for students.
  • Travelex: Our pick for affordable plans.
  • Seven Corners: Our pick for international travelers.
  • AXA Assistance USA: Our pick for leisure travelers.
  • Nationwide: Our pick for cruise travel.
Jun 1, 2024

Can F1 students get Obamacare? ›

As a student visa holder, you are eligible to enroll in a Marketplace plan. You also can access subsidies based on your income. All plans offered through the Marketplace cover essential health benefits and have pre-existing condition protections.

Do foreigners pay for healthcare in USA? ›

Immigrants and Medicaid & CHIP. If you're a “qualified non-citizen,” you're generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.

How can I get free healthcare in USA? ›

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Some states expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

What is the cost of medicine for international students in USA? ›

Eligibility criteria for international students

Upon successful completion of the residency program, one can practice medicine. The overall time required to complete MBBS in the USA after 12th ranges between 7 to 10 years. The fees of MBBS courses in the USA can range between $200,000 to $300,000.

Can I use my US health insurance abroad? ›

U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. Private U.S. insurance policies also might not cover any or all expenses. Check with your insurance before traveling to see if it provides coverage overseas. More information is also available on the CDC insurance page.

How much medical insurance do I need for international travel? ›

How much travel medical insurance do you need? Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends buying at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international travel. For travelers going on a cruise or to a remote destination, the site recommends at least $100,000 in coverage.

Should I bring my health insurance card overseas? ›

Check Your Health Insurance – Are You Covered Abroad? Understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling. Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States.

Can a non US citizen get health insurance in us? ›

If you're a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income. A measure of income issued every year by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Does the US accept international medical students? ›

Some U.S. medical schools accept and matriculate a small number of international applicants into their programs. Medical schools in the United States have varying policies on accepting international applicants, so it's important to confirm each school's policy before you apply.

How much is student health insurance in the US? ›

Students applying for their own health insurance plan can generally expect to pay a national average of $158 per month* for a short-term plan or $231 per month* for a major medical plan.

Can international students get car insurance in the US? ›

U.S. car insurance for international students

If you're a student studying in the U.S. with a foreign driver's license, you can purchase an auto insurance policy in any state. You must carry at least the minimum car insurance requirements for the state in which you reside before you can get behind the wheel.

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