Complete OSHC Guide

The Australian Government requires every international student (and any dependants) to hold valid OSHC for the entire stay in Australia. Without it, a student visa will be refused or cancelled.

For detailed visa requirements and compliance information, see our complete visa requirements guide.

Only insurers that have signed the Deed for the Provision of Overseas Student Health Cover may issue visa-compliant policies. As of now, five providers meet that standard:

• Allianz Care Australia
• ahm OSHC (Australian Health Management)
• Bupa Australia
• Medibank Private
• nib

Key Points:

• Who it's for: Full-time students at CRICOS-registered institutions
• Validity: Up to 5 years (course-length dependent)
• Work limit: 48 hours / fortnight during study terms
• 8501 condition: Must maintain adequate OSHC for the whole visa period

Condition 8501 on a 500 visa makes OSHC compulsory for you and every family member listed on your visa. Cover includes doctor visits, hospital care, ambulance, and many prescription medicines—crucial protection given international students are not covered by Medicare.

Have more questions about OSHC? Check our comprehensive FAQ section for detailed answers.

• Visa-Ready Plans Only – every quote on our site is 100% subclass 500 compliant.
• Side-by-Side Comparisons – full benefit breakdowns and real student reviews.
• Instant Certificates – buy online and receive proof of cover in minutes.
• Lowest-Price Finder – our daily price scans ensure you lock in the best rate available on the day.
• Multilingual Support 24/7 – email help@oshcguru.com any time—English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, Portuguese, Malay, Korean.

• Who must comply? All primary subclass 500 holders and their dependants, unless you're a citizen of a country with a reciprocal health agreement (e.g., Sweden, Italy, UK).
• Minimum cover level: OSHC (not basic travel insurance).
• Timing: Policy start = the day you land in Australia; end = the day you leave or your visa expires.
• Switching providers: Allowed at any time—OSHC GURU can help you swap and avoid overlap fees.

Which insurers satisfy the 8501 requirement?

All five listed above (Allianz Care, ahm OSHC, Bupa, Medibank, nib). Every plan shown on OSHC GURU meets 8501 automatically.

What happens if I skip OSHC?

Your visa may be refused or cancelled. Unpaid medical bills can also affect future visa applications.

How do I choose the best plan?

Tell us: Who you're traveling with, start date, end date. OSHC GURU instantly ranks every compliant policy by price and key extras (psych services wait-times, refund rules, etc.) so you can pick what matters most.

Need more help?

Chat with our experts now—we'll guide you step by step.