Health cover for students (OSHC) and temporary visa holders (OVHC)

Department of Health, Disability and AgeingVerified 22 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

Student visa condition 8501 requires you and any family members with you to hold adequate health insurance for your whole stay in Australia. For students this is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC); it must start on the day you arrive and must not have any gaps. Basic OSHC covers doctor visits, hospital treatment, surgery, emergency ambulance and some prescription medicines, but not dental, physiotherapy or optical, and some services have waiting periods. Temporary work visas such as the subclass 482 also carry condition 8501; holders usually buy Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Temporary residents without Medicare can claim an exemption from the Medicare levy at tax time. This page does not recommend any insurer.

Key facts

Visa condition 8501: Student visas carry condition 8501: you must hold and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia.³
OSHC requirement for Student visas: You and any family members with you must buy OSHC from an approved Australian insurer for your whole stay. If you apply from outside Australia, the cover must start on the day you arrive, not on the day your course starts; if you cannot show cover when you arrive, you may be refused entry. If you apply from inside Australia, the new policy must follow on from your previous cover with no gap.²
What to enter in your Student visa application: If your education provider buys the cover for you, you need the insurer's name and the policy start and end dates; the provider records the cover on your CoE. If you buy it yourself, enter the policy number. If you do not provide this information, your visa is refused.²
Who does not need OSHC: Certain students from Norway (covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme), Sweden (Kammarkollegiet) and Belgium (reciprocal health care agreement).²
Family members: Every family member must be covered. If you have a single policy and you have a partner or child with you (including a child born in Australia), change to a couple, single-parent or family policy. Family members who join you later must show OSHC covering their whole stay.²
Insurers that sell OSHC (Department of Health fact sheet, August 2026): Allianz Care Australia, Bupa Australia, Medibank and ahm (part of Medibank), and nib OSHC. You can buy directly from the insurer or through your education provider or an agent. You do not have to accept the insurer your provider recommends, and you can change insurer during your stay, as long as there is no gap in cover.¹
What every basic policy must include: All basic OSHC policies (Basic, Standard or Essentials) must cover: GP visits (85% of the MBS fee), specialists (85%), treatment in public or private hospitals, surgery, blood tests and X-rays (at least 85%), emergency ambulance (100% of the transport cost), and some prescription medicines (up to A$50 per item, up to A$500 a year for a single policy and A$1,000 for a couple or family policy). All of these services can involve a gap you pay yourself.¹
How the gap works (example from the fact sheet): A GP charges A$80. The insurer pays A$42.85 based on the MBS fee, and you pay the remaining A$37.15.¹
What basic cover does not include: Dental, physiotherapy, optical, private psychology, counselling and repatriation are additional cover, which costs more and differs between insurers. You can also buy separate private health insurance or travel insurance to top up.¹
Waiting periods: The maximum waiting periods the government sets for OSHC: 12 months for pregnancy and birth (0 for policies of 2 years or more), 12 months for pre-existing conditions, 2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care, and 2 months for everything else. Insurers can sometimes shorten them if you ask.⁵
Emergencies and the change to pregnancy waiting periods: Emergency treatment is not subject to waiting periods; in an emergency, call 000 or go to an emergency department. From 1 January 2026, insurers began removing the waiting period for pregnancy-related treatment on policies of 2 years or more; ask your insurer about the exact timing.¹
When your Student visa ends: Once your Student visa expires, you can no longer hold OSHC; you can move to resident cover or OVHC. Treatment during a period of unpaid premiums may not be covered. Tell your insurer as soon as your visa or Medicare eligibility changes.⁴
Students from reciprocal health care agreement countries: Students from the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Italy and New Zealand can apply for reciprocal Medicare, but this does not replace OSHC; you must still buy it.⁴
Work visas such as the 482 and 485: The Home Affairs list of visas subject to condition 8501 includes the subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage, now called Skills in Demand), 485 (Temporary Graduate) and 500 (Student) visas, among others. Condition 8501 is mandatory on these visas, so holders must maintain adequate health insurance.⁶
What cover non-students buy: Home Affairs says overseas visitors generally use Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) to meet the recommended minimum level of cover, and students use OSHC. OVHC and OSHC products may state whether they satisfy condition 8501. The recommended minimum is based on basic OSHC (doctor visits, hospital, surgery, tests, medicines and ambulance), and products from Australian or overseas insurers may be accepted.⁵
Temporary visa holders usually have no Medicare: Most visitors are not eligible for Medicare and must pay the full cost of treatment, including in public hospitals. Medicare is only for citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, permanent residency applicants and certain other groups; people from reciprocal health care agreement countries are a separate case.⁵
Medicare levy exemption: Temporary residents who are not eligible for Medicare can get a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from Services Australia and then claim a full exemption from the Medicare levy in their tax return (category 3 on the return). Your spouse and other dependants must also be in an exemption category; if your spouse has Medicare, you cannot claim the exemption. Apply for the MES through myGov from 1 July each year; it can take up to 8 weeks, so get it before you lodge your tax return.⁷
Complaints: Go to your insurer first. If the problem is not resolved, contact the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at the Commonwealth Ombudsman; it is free and independent. It handles OSHC and OVHC complaints about Australian-registered insurers (claims, waiting periods, policy cancellation, premiums, wrong information and so on). It does not deal with the quality of medical treatment or with insurers that are not registered in Australia.⁸
Complaints about your education provider: For complaints about a higher education provider, contact the National Student Ombudsman on 1300 395 775. If you need an interpreter, call 131 450. These services are free.¹

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Student visa (subclass 500) holders and the family members with them: you must buy OSHC covering your whole stay in Australia.
Holders of temporary work visas that carry condition 8501, such as the subclass 482: you must maintain adequate health insurance, usually OVHC.
Temporary residents who are not eligible for Medicare: you can claim a Medicare levy exemption at tax time with an MES.
Students from reciprocal health care agreement countries: you can also apply for reciprocal Medicare, but you must still buy OSHC.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Buy OSHC before you apply for your Student visa, starting on your arrival date
You can let your education provider buy it (it is recorded on your CoE) or buy it yourself from an insurer and enter the policy number in your visa application. If you apply from outside Australia, the cover starts on the day you arrive; Home Affairs says this is usually 1 week to 1 month before your course starts. Do not enter Australia before your cover starts.
Compare insurers and choose basic or additional cover
Every basic policy must include the same services; the differences are price, whether the insurer pays GPs directly, and what additional cover offers. If you want dental, physiotherapy or optical, you need additional cover. The government's privatehealth.gov.au site lets you compare policies. This site does not recommend any insurer.
Ask about costs before treatment, and know your waiting periods
In an emergency, call 000 or go straight to an emergency department; waiting periods do not apply. For anything else, ask how much the doctor charges and how much the insurer pays before you decide. Some insurers pay GPs in their network directly, so you only pay the gap. Prescription medicines have limits per item and per year.
Keep your cover going when you renew or change visas
If you apply for a new Student visa inside Australia, the new policy must follow on with no gap. If you move from a Student visa to a work visa such as the 482 or 485, change to OVHC. Once you get PR or Medicare, tell your insurer and change to resident cover.
Claim the Medicare levy exemption in your tax return
From 1 July each year, apply to Services Australia through myGov for an MES. It can take up to 8 weeks. Once you have it, choose category 3 in the Medicare levy section of your tax return. If your spouse has Medicare, you cannot claim the exemption.
Claim disputes: insurer first, then the Ombudsman
Complain to your insurer first. If you are not satisfied, lodge an online complaint with the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at the Commonwealth Ombudsman. It is free.

What documents do I need?

For your Student visa application: the insurer's name and policy start and end dates, or the policy number (on your CoE if your provider bought it)
On arrival: your policy showing that cover has started (you may be asked to show it)
For the Medicare levy exemption: a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from Services Australia
For a complaint: your policy, claim records and correspondence with the insurer

What should I watch out for?

Emergencies are not subject to waiting periods. Call 000 first, then contact your insurer about costs afterwards.
Prescription medicines are only partly covered: up to A$50 per item, A$500 a year for a single policy and A$1,000 for a family policy. For expensive medicines such as chemotherapy, your own costs can be high.
Basic OSHC does not include dental, physiotherapy, optical or counselling. To claim these, buy additional cover or separate insurance.
If your family grows (your partner arrives or a baby is born), change to a family policy straight away. Every person must be covered.
Once your Student visa expires you cannot hold OSHC. If you move to a temporary visa such as the 482 or 485, change to OVHC; these visas also carry condition 8501.
Public hospitals charge people who do not have Medicare. Do not assume public hospitals are free while you are on a temporary visa.
This site does not recommend any insurer. The list of insurers above is copied from the Department of Health fact sheet; the official website has the final say.
This page is a plain-language summary of public information. The Department of Health, Home Affairs and ATO websites and your own policy terms have the final say. It is not immigration, legal or insurance advice.

What has changed recently?

2026-01-01
From 1 January 2026, OSHC insurers began removing the waiting period for pregnancy-related treatment on policies of 2 years or more. The timing differs between insurers; ask your insurer.Source: health.gov.au ↗

Common questions

Do I have to buy OSHC for my Student visa, and from which date?

Yes. Student visas carry condition 8501, so you and any family members with you must buy OSHC from an approved Australian insurer for your whole stay. If you apply from outside Australia, cover must start on the day you arrive, not the day your course starts; Home Affairs says this is usually 1 week to 1 month before your course. You may be refused entry if you cannot show cover. If you apply inside Australia, the new policy must follow on with no gap. Only certain students from Norway, Sweden and Belgium are exempt.

What does OSHC cover? Are dental and glasses included?

Every basic policy must cover GP and specialist visits (85% of the MBS fee), public or private hospital treatment, surgery, blood tests and X-rays (at least 85%), emergency ambulance (100% of the transport cost) and some prescription medicines (up to A$50 per item, A$500 a year for a single policy and A$1,000 for a couple or family). Dental, physiotherapy, optical, private psychology and counselling are not included; you need additional cover or separate insurance.

Which insurers sell OSHC, and can I change from the one my university chose?

The Department of Health fact sheet from August 2026 lists Allianz Care Australia, Bupa Australia, Medibank and ahm (part of Medibank), and nib OSHC. You can buy directly or through your education provider or an agent. You do not have to accept the insurer your provider recommends, and you can change insurer during your stay as long as there is no gap in cover. Compare policies on privatehealth.gov.au; this site does not recommend any insurer.

Does OSHC have waiting periods, and does it cover pregnancy and childbirth?

Yes. The maximum waiting periods are 12 months for pregnancy and birth (0 for policies of 2 years or more), 12 months for pre-existing conditions, 2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care, and 2 months for everything else. From 1 January 2026, insurers began removing the pregnancy waiting period on policies of 2 years or more; ask your insurer about the timing. Emergency treatment has no waiting period, so call 000 in an emergency.

What health insurance do I need on a 482 work visa if I do not have Medicare?

The 482, 485 and other visas carry condition 8501, so you must maintain adequate health insurance. Home Affairs says non-students generally use Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC); the recommended minimum is based on basic OSHC, and products from Australian or overseas insurers may be accepted. Most temporary visa holders have no Medicare and pay the full cost of treatment, including in public hospitals. If you move from a Student visa to a 482, change from OSHC to OVHC.

I am on a temporary visa without Medicare. Can I get a Medicare levy exemption at tax time?

Yes. If you are not eligible for Medicare, apply to Services Australia through myGov for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from 1 July each year. It can take up to 8 weeks. Once you have it, choose category 3 in the Medicare levy section of your tax return to claim a full exemption. Your spouse and other dependants must also be in an exemption category; if your spouse has Medicare, you cannot claim it.

Do I still pay anything when I see a doctor with OSHC?

Often, yes. Basic cover pays 85% of the MBS fee for GP and specialist visits, and you pay the gap if the doctor charges more. In the fact sheet example, a GP charges A$80, the insurer pays A$42.85 and you pay A$37.15. Some insurers pay GPs in their network directly, so you only pay the gap. Ask how much the doctor charges and the insurer pays before treatment. Medicines are capped at A$50 per item and per year.

My insurer refused my claim. Who can I complain to?

Complain to your insurer first. If that does not resolve it, lodge an online complaint with the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman at the Commonwealth Ombudsman; it is free and independent. It handles OSHC and OVHC complaints about Australian-registered insurers, including claims, waiting periods, policy cancellation, premiums and wrong information. It does not deal with the quality of medical treatment or insurers not registered in Australia. Keep your policy, claim records and correspondence.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) fact sheet (August 2026)Department of Health, Disability and Ageing · health.gov.au
Student visa (subclass 500)Department of Home Affairs · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
See your visa conditions – Student visa (subclass 500)Department of Home Affairs · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Overseas Student Health CoverCommonwealth Ombudsman (privatehealth.gov.au) · privatehealth.gov.au
Adequate health insurance for visa holdersDepartment of Home Affairs · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Visas subject to condition 8501Department of Home Affairs · immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Medicare levy exemption – Not entitled to Medicare benefitsAustralian Taxation Office · ato.gov.au
Private Health Insurance complaintsCommonwealth Ombudsman · ombudsman.gov.au

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