Best Student Health Insurance for Studying in Australia: 2026 OSHC Guide

Congratulations! You are going to study in Australia. What’s next? You’re almost there – visa application is next – but now comes one of the most confusing steps: securing Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

The Australian Government requires every international student to have OSHC for the entire duration of their student visa. In other words, you literally cannot get your visa without it. OSHC is a specialized insurance plan that covers doctors, hospitals, ambulance and some prescription medicines for students. Unfortunately, it’s also often misunderstood.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what OSHC is, why it’s mandatory, who the six approved providers are, what each plan covers (and doesn’t cover), and how to choose the best one for your situation. When applying for a visa for the first time, many students make the mistake of choosing the cheapest OSHC without fully understanding what it covers – and often regret it later. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. We’ve seen these mistakes firsthand over the years, and we want to help you avoid them.

What is OSHC (and Why Is It Mandatory?)

OSHC stands for Overseas Student Health Cover. It’s a health insurance policy specifically designed for international students in Australia. By law, holding OSHC is a visa condition – you must purchase it before coming to Australia, and maintain it for the entire time you hold a Student Visa (subclass 500).

In practice, the Department of Home Affairs (visa condition 8501) requires you to have adequate health insurance for your entire stay. This means the policy must cover from the day you arrive (or earlier) through your visa expiry date.

Key fact: Personal travel insurance or any home-country insurance is not accepted for your visa. You must choose a policy from one of the six Australian-approved OSHC providers. These insurers hold special agreements with the government to meet visa requirements.

The 6 Official OSHC Providers for 2026

Unlike travel insurance (which can be bought from dozens of companies), there are only six insurers approved to sell OSHC in Australia. This actually makes your choice easier! The six official providers are:

• ahm OSHC (owned by Medibank)
• Allianz Care Australia (also known as Peoplecare)
• Bupa Australia
• CBHS International Health
• Medibank Private
• nib OSHC

These are the only funds allowed to offer OSHC policies. (Most universities have a “preferred provider” relationship with one of them – for example, some campuses partner with Medibank – but you are not obliged to go with that one. Every student has a choice, so pick the plan that suits you.)

OSHC Comparison: How to Choose the Best Provider for You

Since all 6 OSHC providers cover the government’s minimum requirements, the real differences are in price, extras, and service. Every OSHC policy will cover the basics: GP visits, public hospital treatment, emergency ambulance and limited prescriptions (see next section). But providers vary in premiums, customer support, claims apps, and optional extras.

Costs are estimates for a 12-month single student in 2026. Your quote may vary by a few dollars or with family coverage. It’s a good idea to get 2-3 quotes before you buy, as prices can change.

NB: From 1 November 2025, CBHS International policies are no longer sold to new members.

What Does OSHC Actually Cover? (The Simple Version)

OSHC covers the basics of health care in Australia. The minimum OSHC plan pays for:

• Doctor (GP) Visits: 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. In practice this means your standard GP consultation is fully covered (no gap fee) as long as the doctor charges the MBS rate.
• Hospital Treatment: 100% of the costs for public hospital treatment (shared ward). Accident and emergency admissions to public hospitals are covered in full.
• Emergency Ambulance: Full coverage for emergency ambulance transport. (Note: some rural areas might charge a small fee if not deemed an emergency.)
• Prescription Medicines: A partial benefit is paid. Typically, OSHC covers up to $50 per prescription item on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), with an annual cap (around $300 for singles). So you usually pay a small co-payment (e.g. ~$30) for prescriptions, and OSHC covers the rest up to the limit.

In short: if you need to see a doctor, go to hospital or call an ambulance, OSHC handles it (up to 100% of the Medicare-listed cost). For prescription drugs, you’ll pay a small portion of each script, but OSHC helps cover the rest up to its cap.

What Does OSHC NOT Cover? (The “Extras” Trap)

One common mistake is assuming OSHC is “full insurance.” It is not. Standard OSHC excludes most ancillary (extras) services. In particular, OSHC does not cover:

• Dental (check-ups, fillings, etc.)
• Optical (glasses or contact lenses)
• Physiotherapy and other allied health (e.g. chiropractic, osteopathy)

These are known as extras. If you need these, you have two options:

1. Buy Extras OSHC: Some OSHC funds offer an optional extras add-on to cover teeth, eyes, physio, etc. (It costs more, but gives you basic dental/optical cover).
2. Get separate private insurance: You can use a regular Australian health fund’s extras policy on top of your OSHC. Many students do this if they anticipate needing dental work or glasses.

(You can even supplement with travel insurance for non-health-related emergencies, but note travel insurance alone will not satisfy the visa OSHC requirement.)

Bottom line: Don’t assume your plan covers the dentist or optometrist. Plan ahead if you need those, or set aside some cash for them.

OSHC Waiting Periods: What You Must Know

A waiting period is the time you must be insured before certain claims are paid. For OSHC plans, the waits are:

• General Sickness: Usually no long wait (often 0–2 months). For example, Bupa’s basic OSHC plan has only a 2-month waiting period for standard illness claims. This means if you buy a cover and fall sick a month later, Bupa would cover it.
• Pre-existing Conditions: 12 months waiting period across almost all OSHC policies. If you already have a health condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes), you’ll need to wait 12 months on your new policy before claiming related treatment.
• Pregnancy & Maternity: 12 months waiting as well. Most plans exclude pregnancy care (including childbirth) until you’ve held the policy for a year.

In practice, this means you must already have coverage in place before any illness or pregnancy occurs. If you need treatment for a pre-existing problem or pregnancy within your first year, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket until the waiting period ends. Our advice: Buy your plan well before you arrive and certainly before any scheduled health treatments. That way, you won’t have to delay or pay yourself if something happens.

How to Buy Your OSHC (A Simple Step-by-Step)

1. Get 2-3 Quotes: Use provider websites or a comparison site (like OSHC Australia or the insurers’ own quote tools) to compare costs and features. (We recommend shopping around because prices can vary by up to a couple of hundred dollars.)
2. Select Your Dates: Be very careful with policy dates! Your cover must start on or before your arrival date, and end on or after your visa expiry date. (It must cover your entire visa period, not just your course end date.)
3. Pay Upfront: OSHC is paid in full (typically for 1–5 years) at purchase – there are no monthly installments. Once you pay, the insurer will send you your cover certificate instantly by email.
4. Get Your Certificate: After payment you’ll receive a PDF “OSHC Certificate” – basically proof of your policy and its dates. Check all details (names, dates) carefully before you pay.
5. Attach to Visa: When you apply for your Student Visa online, upload this OSHC Certificate PDF as proof of health cover. That completes the health insurance requirement.

That’s it! In minutes you can complete your purchase and have the official document needed for your visa.

Related: How to Guarantee Visa Application Success to Study Abroad

Conclusion: My Final Recommendation

OSHC is straightforward – it’s a mandatory, standardized policy that just needs to be in place. Don’t overthink it. Having seen many students’ mistakes, I recommend focusing on two factors: price and service.

For most students on a tight budget, ahm OSHC or CBHS International are great picks – they often have the lowest premiums. (CBHS even advertises “lowest price” plans for singles.) If you want top-notch support, apps and perks, then Bupa or Allianz Care are worth the extra ~$50–70 per year (they offer 24/7 doctor telehealth, large networks and easy claims). Medibank and nib fall in between on price and service.

Ultimately, there is no single “best” for everyone – it depends on your priorities. But now that you know the facts, you can make an informed choice. My advice: Get your quotes now, buy a compliant policy, and relax. Your cover will protect you from huge medical bills, letting you focus on enjoying your study abroad experience. Good luck with your visa and have an amazing time in Australia!