Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): what international students need to know

Australia’s Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) offers international students access to high quality healthcare. Understanding how OSHC works can help you use it with confidence. This guide explains how OSHC works, what it pays for, and where extra costs can apply.

What is OSHC?

OSHC is health insurance cover for international students living and studying in Australia. It is a visa requirement for most students on a Student visa (subclass 500), and must be in place for a student’s entire stay. 

OSHC is not the same as Medicare, which is Australia’s public health insurance for citizens and permanent residents. Most international students are not eligible for Medicare, so OSHC will be how you access healthcare in Australia.

All OSHC insurers must include the following services in their basic policy (called Basic, Standard or Essentials): 

• Doctor (General Practitioner or GP)
• Specialist doctor hospital treatment in a public or private hospital 
• Surgery 
• Blood tests and X-rays 
• Ambulance services to a hospital or for emergency treatment (100% of the cost for transport)
• Some prescription medicines.

It’s important to note: 

• Each OSHC policy has a different cost structure.
• OSHC providers may offer different amounts of cover for treatments or services.  
• You may need to pay a gap fee for services, treatments and medicines. 

See below for more information on gap fees. 

Will I have to pay extra?

Your OSHC will usually cover a set amount for medical treatment or services. If the medical service charges more than the set amount, you will need to pay the difference. This is called a gap fee. 

You can ask your OSHC provider about ways to reduce your gap fee costs. There may be low-cost telehealth (phone-based) services, local nurse practitioner services or ‘no gap fee’ in-person appointments. Ask your OSHC provider about their direct billing network. This is a network of medical providers who your OSHC provider negotiate medical fees with to make appointments cheaper for their customers. 

Always ask about costs before your appointment. You can find out more about gap fees here.

Mental health care

There are many options for mental health and wellbeing support in Australia. Here is how to access them using your OSHC. 

Start with a GP

The first step is to see a general practitioner (GP). They can:

• talk with you about how you are feeling
• check your physical health
• provide you with a mental health treatment plan, if deemed appropriate
• refer you to a mental health service if needed.

GP visits are usually covered by OSHC, either fully or partially. 

Psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor?

Different mental wellbeing professionals offer specialist services: 

• Counsellors provide emotional support and counselling. No GP referral is required. There may be free services available through your education provider.
• Mental health social workers provide counselling and practical support to improve your mental wellbeing. You will need a GP referral or mental health treatment plan to claim OSHC benefits. 
• Psychologists help manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours through talking therapy. You will need a GP referral or a mental health treatment plan to claim OSHC benefits on psychology services.
• Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialise in mental health. They can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. A GP referral is required. Seeing a psychiatrist is usually required if you are seeking a formal diagnosis or if you require mental health medication your GP can’t prescribe. 

Always check with your OSHC provider to make sure the service you choose is covered by your OSHC.

What about language support?

Some doctors, psychologists and counsellors speak languages other than English or offer interpreter services. Your OSHC provider or education provider can help you find services with language support. 

Why dental care is not covered (and affordable options)

Basic OSHC does not include optical care (glasses) or dental care such as check-ups, fillings or dental surgery. However, you can choose to pay an additional premium to include services like dental and optical cover. This is called Extras cover. 

This is the same for many Australians, as dental services are not paid for by Medicare.

If you need dental care, options include:

• paying privately at your chosen dental clinic
• checking if your OSHC provider offers optional extras cover (this costs more)
• using low-cost local or university dental clinics. 

Delaying dental care can lead to bigger problems later, so it is a good idea to ask about costs early.

Extras policies cover a range of other services, such as chiropractic, physiotherapy, podiatry, mental health support, and more. Consider additional services you may need during your time here and choose a product that suits your needs. 

Public and private hospitals: what’s the difference?

Australia has public and private hospitals.

Public hospitals are often used for emergency care. Treatment as a public hospital patient is generally covered by your OSHC. However, some gap fees may apply depending on the services or specialists involved. You may need to pay for treatment upfront and then claim a reimbursement from your OSHC provider.

Private hospitals are generally smaller and often used for planned admissions. Some private hospitals do have an emergency department. Emergency and hospital fees vary and depend on whether your OSHC provider has an agreement with that hospital. Gap fees can also apply. 

Check with your OSHC provider and locate your nearest hospital when you arrive in Australia.

Tips to avoid unexpected costs

• Ask for all the costs involved before your appointment.
• Use services or specialists that direct bill your OSHC provider.
• Keep your OSHC providers app and membership details handy.
• Contact your OSHC provider before any specialist or dental treatments.
• Use university health and counselling services where available.

Why do I need OSHC? 

You may wonder why you need to pay for OSHC, especially if you rarely visit a doctor.

OSHC is a Student visa requirement because it protects you against unexpected medical costs. It ensures you can access healthcare when you need it. 

A single hospital visit or ambulance trip in Australia can cost thousands of dollars without the appropriate cover.

Even if you feel healthy now, OSHC will help you stay healthy and avoid unexpected medical bills.

Learn more

Head to our Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) page for more information on how to choose a provider and get started. 

You can also, get more information on this Australian Government fact sheet.