A practical guide to OSHC, healthcare access and staying well in Australia.
If you’re an international student coming to study in Australia, you’ll need to arrange health insurance before you arrive.
International students typically don’t have access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system. Instead, the Australian Government requires most student visa holders to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This is a type of private health insurance that helps cover the cost of medical and hospital care during your stay.
How do I get health insurance in Australia?
Understanding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
All international students in Australia are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This is a special type of private health insurance for international students.
Having OSHC means you can access health services if you get sick or injured while in Australia.
You must keep your OSHC for the entire time you’re studying in Australia.
What does OSHC cover?
OSHC policies vary. However, basic policies usually include:
- doctor (GP) visits
- ambulance
- some hospital treatments
- some pharmaceuticals (medicines).
Other types of healthcare, like dental and optical, aren’t usually included in basic OSHC policies. If you want this type of cover, you can explore other OSHC policy options or additional health insurance.
View the table below to see what is usually covered and not covered by basic OSHC policies.
| Benefit | Usually covered by OSHC? |
|---|---|
| GP (doctor) visits | Yes |
| Ambulance cover | Yes |
| Pathology services (e.g. blood tests) |
Yes |
| Visits to a specialist (with a GP referral) | Yes |
| Hospital treatments | Some |
| Prescription medicines | Some |
| Dental | Not typically covered |
| Optical | Not typically covered |
| Physiotherapy | Not typically covered |
| Psychology and psychiatry | Not typically covered |
| Elective treatments | Not typically covered |
Choosing an OSHC provider
You can purchase OSHC from any of the 5 approved Australian providers. You are responsible for arranging OSHC for yourself and any accompanying family members for the full duration of your student visa. The costs of cover may differ between insurers and the plan you choose.
Medibank (external link) is UTS’s preferred OSHC provider. Medibank’s comprehensive OSHC (external link) helps towards your hospital and medical needs and provides a range of services beyond the essentials, such as a dedicated 24/7 student health and support line as well as access to exclusive discounts via the Medibank app.
The cost of the Medibank Comprehensive OSHC (single student cover, as of May 2025):
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 12 months | A$769 |
| 24 months | A$1599 |
| 36 months | A$2401 |
Get a quote from Medibank (external link) or contact Medibank for more information at oshc@medibank.com.au.
Alternatively, you can also purchase health covers from:
- AHM
- Allianz Care Australia (Peoplecare)
- BUPA
- NIB.
All links go to external websites.
How do I buy OSHC?
You can get OSHC in just a few easy steps.
- Check out a few providers and request some quotes.
- Compare your options – consider things like cost, cover amount and availability of providers in your network near you.
- Once you’ve chosen, pay for your policy online.
Once you buy your OSHC, your provider will send you a confirmation and information about your policy. It’s a good idea to carefully read your policy documents. This helps you know what to do and where to go if you need medical care.
How do I use OSHC when in Australia?
To use Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia, activate your policy online upon arrival, download your insurer's app, and carry your digital membership card. Visit doctors in your insurer’s direct-billing network to avoid upfront costs; otherwise, pay and submit claims via the app for reimbursement.
When should I use OSHC?
| If you... | Go to... | Covered by OSHC? |
|---|---|---|
| Feel sick (cold, flu, minor issue) | GP (doctor) | Yes |
| Need tests or a specialist | GP (doctor), who may refer you to a specialist | Yes (referral necessary) |
| Have a serious injury or illness | Hospital (ER) | Yes |
| Have an emergency | Call 000, Australia's emergency telephone number | Yes |
| Need dental care, physiotherapy or glasses | Specialist provider | Usually no |
OSHC FAQs
Mental health and wellbeing
Everyone feels down sometimes, and it’s not unusual for international students to feel sad, stressed or homesick, especially when they first arrive.
It’s a good idea to look out for signs you may be experiencing poor mental health, such as:
- feelings of anxiety or worry
- feelings of sadness or depression
- mood changes or emotional outbursts
- sleep problems
- changes in weight or appetite
- withdrawing from life or no longer enjoying activities you used to like.
Some simple things you can do to look after your mental health include:
- keeping in touch with friends and family back home
- maintaining an active social life, including attending UTS events or by joining clubs and societies
- getting regular exercise
- eating a healthy, balanced diet full of nutritious foods
- staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water
- using meditation and mindfulness techniques
- giving back to others through volunteering.
Visit our health and wellbeing page to see the mental health resources that you can access at UTS.
Supporting you at UTS
We're here for you throughout your whole international student journey. We provide academic support, confidential counselling services and a campus health clinic.
Information in this article is correct as of the date of publication but may change over time.