If you are an international student, it is a requirement of your student visa that you have private health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia as per the Australian Government policy. Medicare Australia national health program does not cover you.
People eligible for overseas health cover are students from overseas who are undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their family members (for example, spouses and children under 18 years old). For the purpose of OSHC, there are three categories of overseas students. These are:
*Students in all the above stated three categories are eligible for, and must take out, OSHC.
Hospital treatment in Australia can be expensive. The average cost for a bed in a public hospital in Australia is $240 per day. International students are not eligible for Medicare – the Australian government’s public health insurance system. Without access to the safety net of Medicare, international students may have difficulty paying for medical treatment. As a result, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) was introduced to ensure international students have adequate health care arrangements during their stay in Australia.
Overseas Health Cover ensures international students can access appropriate health care without undue financial hardship. Additionally, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIBP) requires all holders of a student visa to maintain Over Seas Health Cover. DIBP advises that international students who do not maintain their OSHC may have their visas cancelled. The College has entered into an agreement with OSHC Worldcare as the preferred provider of OSHC to commencing international students. After the first 12 months of membership, students are able to transfer to another OSHC provider. You can also purchase visa length health insurance coverage. Information about other registered OSHC providers is available on the Department of Health website.
Please Note: It is a condition of your student visa that you always have valid health cover. It is your responsibility to renew your health cover when it expires if you are covered by OSHC Worldcare’s OSHC, you can do this online or at any OSHC Worldcare branch. Alternatively, if you have opted for CHS to arrange the OSHC for you the policy will start from the date of your arrival in Australia, and your membership card will be available for collection when you enrol (or shortly thereafter).