Every student visa (subclass 500) holder must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full length of their visa. It is a visa condition (8501), not optional — and letting it lapse can put your visa at risk.

But almost nobody explains what OSHC actually pays for once you land. Here is the practical version.

What OSHC Costs in 2026

Cover type	Typical 12-month premium
Single	$620 – $780
Dual family (couple)	$3,100 – $3,900
Family (with children)	$5,000 – $6,400

The five approved providers are Bupa, Medibank (ahm), Allianz Care, nib and Australian Health Management. Prices differ by up to 25% for near-identical cover, so it is worth comparing before you auto-renew what your education agent sold you.

You can switch providers at any time. Your new provider will transfer the remaining term, and you get a pro-rata refund from the old one.

What OSHC Actually Covers

• GP (doctor) visits — usually 85–100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee
• Public hospital treatment — in full, in a shared ward
• Ambulance — emergency transport
• Prescription medicines — up to about $50 per script, capped per year
• Some specialists — at the schedule fee, not the doctor's full fee

What It Does NOT Cover

• Dental, optical (glasses) and physiotherapy in most base policies
• Elective or cosmetic surgery
• Pregnancy in the first 12 months (a 12-month waiting period applies)
• Pre-existing conditions for the first 12 months
• Anything you paid for before your policy started

Dental and optical is the biggest shock for new arrivals. A basic filling costs $180–$300 and a standard check-up plus clean is $200–$280. Some universities run student dental clinics at 30–50% below market rate — check your student services page first.

Bulk Billing: How to Pay Nothing at the Doctor

A clinic that bulk bills charges your health fund directly, so you pay $0 on the day. A clinic that charges a gap fee takes payment upfront (typically $90–$120), then you claim back roughly $40–$85 from your OSHC provider.

How to find bulk-billing clinics near you:

1. Search "bulk billing medical centre" plus your suburb on Google Maps and read the recent reviews.
2. Call and ask specifically: "Do you bulk bill OSHC patients from Bupa/Medibank/Allianz?" Some bulk bill Medicare card holders only.
3. Use your university health service — most campuses have a clinic that direct-bills the major OSHC funds.

Always ask when booking, not at the counter after the appointment.

Claiming Money Back

All five providers have an app. Take a photo of your itemised receipt, submit it, and the refund lands in your Australian bank account in 2–5 business days. Keep receipts for two years — providers can audit.

You cannot claim without your membership number, so save a photo of your OSHC card in your phone on day one.

Emergencies

• 000 — free, from any phone, even without credit. Ask for ambulance, police or fire.
• Public hospital Emergency Departments treat you regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
• Ambulance cover is included in OSHC, but only for emergency transport — a non-urgent transfer can cost $400–$1,200.

For non-emergencies at 2am, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 — a registered nurse gives free advice 24/7.

Mental Health Support

You do not need to be in crisis to get help. Every Australian university provides free counselling to enrolled students, usually 4–6 sessions per year, booked online.

Free national services:

• Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
• Headspace — for students under 26, free in-person and online

OSHC covers psychologist sessions at the schedule fee if referred by a GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The GP appointment for the plan takes about 30 minutes — book a "long appointment" when you call.

When You Can Get Medicare

Most students cannot. Exceptions:

• Citizens of countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement: UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Malta and Slovenia. Cover varies by country and usually only covers medically necessary treatment.
• Holders of a 485 graduate visa who have applied for a permanent visa and hold a Bridging Visa A with work rights may become eligible.

Even with an RHCA, you still need OSHC to satisfy visa condition 8501 unless you are from Belgium or Norway, whose agreements are recognised for the visa requirement.

Practical Checklist for Your First Month

1. Save your OSHC membership number and download the provider app.
2. Register with a bulk-billing GP near home, not near campus — you will be sick on weekends.
3. Find your nearest public hospital Emergency Department on a map.
4. Book a free intake session with your university counselling service before you need it.
5. Check whether your policy has dental extras — add them if you are staying 2+ years.

Related Reading

• Your first 7 days in Australia checklist
• Cost of Living Calculator
• Start Here: settling in guide