The Australian Government not only believes in providing top-class education but aims to safeguard all students. This includes international students who invest a great deal in their education as well as their stay in Australia. That is why, depending on the visa type, international students are given a mandatory requirement to purchase a student health insurance plan.
The healthcare system in Australia is expensive, but it offers the best medical services. All international students studying in Australia require health insurance. It protects them from high medical costs and prevents them from using up their finances built to safeguard their stay in Australia.
In this post, we’ll be exploring the health insurance covers suitable for international students studying in Australia.
Student Health Insurance for international students studying in Australia
As an international student studying in Australia, you will require student health insurance. You can purchase a Private Insurance Policy or an OSHC. Let’s explore what both have to offer, and which one might be more suitable for you.
⇨ Private Insurance Policy
An international student holding an Australian Tourist visa can apply for the Private Insurance Policy. Thus, private insurance is recommended for students studying a course for three months or less.
The plan can be customised to protect their interests and can also be extended to any dependents living with the student.
The cost of the insurance plan and eligibility can vary significantly among funds and insurance policies. Therefore, when purchasing international student insurance, check all the terms and conditions of the policy to ensure that the cover is suitable for you.
⇨ Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The OSHC or Overseas Student Health Cover is for international students studying a course of more than three months. This cover is a mandatory requirement with the student visa. It has an up-to-date insurance policy for the entire stay duration of the student in Australia. OSHC covers costs including doctor visits, hospital charges, ambulance services, and some prescribed medications.
As mentioned, this requirement is mandatory, but it also helps cover international students as medical expenses in Australia are high. That said, visitors to Australia holding a student visa must purchase OSHC. This condition does not apply to students from Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand.
Also, Medicare is Australia’s National Health Insurance Program. It covers a massive amount of the costs involved in providing healthcare services for most Australians. However, Medicare can cover international students from New Zealand, the UK, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. OSHC will allow these students access to healthcare without facing any financial hardships.
That said, international students from Norway, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, and Malta are not covered by their country’s mutual healthcare pact with Australia.
You may reach out to our Expert counsellors who can connect you with the best OSHC providers Australia can offer.
The cost and cover plan of OSHC
The following health funds are offered to OSHC by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
- ahm OSHC
- Allianz Care Australia (Peoplecare)
- BUPA Australia
- CBHS International Health
- Medibank Private
- NIB OSHC
The cost of each plan depends on the type of coverage required, the lowest coverage being $478 for 12 months as of September 2021. You get your OSHC organised for you by the education institution where you are enrolled, or purchase it online.
There are several OSHC providers, so make sure to do your research well, and choose the one that meets your requirements.
The OSHC plan covers doctor’s appointments, hospital appointments, and limited prescription drugs. The plan does not cover any treatment outside of Australia or travelling in and out of Australia. It does not cover visual, dental, or physiotherapy treatments.
How is OSHC different from OVHC?
OSHC and OVHC have some similarities as well as some differences associated with them.
OVHC or Overseas Visitor Health Cover is designated for those holding working and visitor visas. For visa types like Subclass 600, 462 and 417, health cover is not a compulsory requirement. Visitor visa holders will have to meet Australia’s healthcare requirements, but it may not always include an insurance requirement. Regardless, it is safer to purchase insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Furthermore, many international students may transition from a student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This visa requires OVHC rather than OSHC plan to fulfil visa condition 8501. This condition states that you must have and maintain a health insurance policy for your entire stay duration in Australia. Your OSHC will not cover you if you are on a subclass 485 visa. Therefore, it is essential to understand the requirements for different visas during your transition process.
OSHC vs OVHC
There is a key difference between OSHC and OVHC. OVHC is paid on a month-by-month basis. The cost of which ranges between $50-$200 per month depending on your provider and plan. If required, you may also pay for this plan on a fortnightly basis.
OVHC covers a range of visas, including visa holders for temporary stays between 3 months to one year. You must ensure not to miss the monthly payments and continue fulfilling your visa requirements.
On the other hand, OSHC is prepaid for the duration of a student visa. This means that upon completing your application, you must provide proof of payment.
OSHC & OVHC – the similarities
When it comes to healthcare expenses like ambulance, hospital stay, prescriptions, and doctor’s appointments, OVHC covers a similar range to OSHC. Also, OVHC includes inpatient hospital psychiatric services as well.
The OSHC and OVHC plans do not meet the eligibility criteria for a private health insurance rebate for tax purposes in Australia. This means that while filling out the Australian tax return, make sure not to fill in the private health insurance policy details section.
Are you looking for an OSHC or OVHC? Maybe your study program is only for three months in Australia, so you need to know the best private insurance plan available. Seek proper guidance from the right sources, and connect with our team today.