Compare & Choose OSHC
Compare OSHC insurance for international students in Australia.
Choose who you need to insure, select your cover dates, compare prices, and continue to your OSHC policy.
See how leading OSHC providers differ, then compare live prices for your own cover dates.
OSHC comparison table
Compare OSHC prices, cover, and student support.
Start with the essentials students need for visa and emergency care, then review the features that can change your day-to-day experience.
Example monthly rates help you compare plan differences; your live price depends on your cover type and dates.
Ready to check live OSHC prices?
Compare NowSwipe left across the table to see provider prices, benefits, and standout badges.
| Feature | Why students care | Allianz Care A$54.00 | AHM A$56.00 | NIB A$56.25 | Medibank A$59.95 | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly rate | Students usually compare price first. | A$54.00 Lowest | A$56.00 | A$56.25 | A$59.95 | Compare |
| Visa-approved insurer | Core student visa concern. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Compare |
| Public hospital | Core medical safety concern. | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered | Compare |
| Ambulance | Important in emergencies. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Compare |
| Home doctor services | Convenience when sick after hours. | Yes Included | Yes Included | No | Yes Included | Compare |
| On-campus support | Helpful for new arrivals. | Yes Included | No | Yes Included | Yes Included | Compare |
| Virtual doctor services | Fast care without visiting a clinic. | Doctor on Demand Virtual care | No out-of-pocket for 16+ No gap 16+ | No | No out-of-pocket for 16+ No gap 16+ | Compare |
| Safety and security app | Extra student support feature. | Yes Only one | No | No | No | Compare |
| Member discounts | Can reduce everyday costs. | No | Yes Discounts | No | Yes Discounts | Compare |
| Multilingual OSHC service | Useful for non-native English speakers. | No | Yes Multilingual | No | Yes Multilingual | Compare |
| Prescription medicines | Caps and co-payments differ. | A$50/item; A$300 single yearly limit; A$40.30 co-payment | A$50/item; A$500 single yearly limit; A$25 co-payment Higher yearly limit | A$50/item; A$300 single yearly limit; A$40.30 co-payment | A$70/item; A$500 single yearly limit; A$30 co-payment Highest item cap | Compare |
| Psychiatric waiting period | Mental health access can matter. | 2 months | 2 months | 2 months | 0 months Shortest wait | Compare |
| Refund policy | Important if plans change. | Free via online account or app Free online | Limited admin fee may apply; request by phone | Free via online account or app Free online | Limited admin fee may apply; request by phone | Compare |
Best quick read
Allianz Care is the lowest sample monthly rate and has strong practical support. Medibank costs more, but stands out for a 0-month psychiatric waiting period and higher prescription medicine benefit. AHM is a balanced middle option with multilingual service and member discounts. NIB is close in price but has fewer support extras in this sample quote.
Compare These PlansOSHC questions
FAQs
Which OSHC provider is cheapest in this sample quote? +
Allianz Care is the cheapest in this sample single-cover quote at A$54.00 for one month. The final price can change when you enter your exact cover type and dates.
Which OSHC provider has the shortest psychiatric waiting period in this sample? +
Medibank has a 0-month psychiatric waiting period in this sample comparison. Allianz Care, AHM, and NIB show 2 months.
Do all compared OSHC providers cover visa, public hospital, and ambulance needs? +
Yes. In this sample comparison, Allianz Care, AHM, NIB, and Medibank are visa-approved and include public hospital and ambulance cover.
What is OSHC? +
OSHC stands for Overseas Student Health Cover. It is health insurance for international students studying in Australia.
Who needs OSHC? +
Most student visa holders need OSHC. If your partner or children are included in your student visa, they usually need to be covered too.
When do I need to buy OSHC? +
You should buy OSHC before you arrive in Australia and keep it for the whole time you study.
Why is OSHC important? +
Medical care in Australia can be expensive. OSHC helps pay for doctor visits, hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, and some medicines.
How do I compare OSHC prices on OSHC Checker? +
Use the Compare OSHC Now button to open the comparison page. You can enter your cover type and policy dates to review available options.
Can I choose my own OSHC provider? +
Yes. You can compare approved OSHC providers and choose the one that suits your needs. You do not have to use the provider recommended by your school.
Can my education provider arrange OSHC for me? +
Yes. Some schools can arrange OSHC for students. You can also buy OSHC directly from a provider, or through an education or migration agent.
What types of OSHC policies are available? +
Common policy types include single, couple, single-parent, and family cover. Your policy should match who is included on your student visa.
What does basic OSHC usually cover? +
Basic OSHC usually helps with GP visits, specialist visits, hospital treatment, surgery, emergency ambulance transport, blood tests, x-rays, and some prescription medicines.
Does OSHC cover everything? +
No. You may still need to pay some costs yourself. The amount you pay after your insurer pays their part is often called a gap fee.
What is a waiting period? +
A waiting period is the time you must wait before you can claim for some treatments. Waiting periods often apply to pre-existing conditions or certain types of care.
Can I buy extra cover? +
Yes. Some insurers offer additional cover for services such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, psychology, counselling, or repatriation. Benefits vary by provider.
What start date should I choose for OSHC? +
Your OSHC should start before or when you arrive in Australia, not just when your course starts.
What end date should I choose for OSHC? +
Your OSHC should cover your full planned stay in Australia. It is safer to cover the full visa period, not only the course dates.
Can I change OSHC providers later? +
Yes. You can change OSHC providers, but you must make sure there is no gap between your old policy and your new policy.
Can I use overseas health insurance instead of OSHC? +
Usually no. Overseas health or travel insurance generally does not replace OSHC for student visa purposes.
Are any students exempt from OSHC? +
Some students from Norway, Belgium, and Sweden may be covered by special arrangements and may not need OSHC. Some scholarship or government-sponsored students may also have cover arranged for them.
What should I do in a medical emergency? +
Call 000 or go to an emergency department. Contact your OSHC insurer when you can to check costs and claim options.
What should I do before non-emergency treatment? +
Check your OSHC policy, ask the doctor or health provider about the cost, and confirm how much your insurer may pay.
How do I make a claim? +
Your OSHC provider will explain the claim process. Some providers let you claim online or through an app. Some doctors may bill the insurer directly, so you only pay the gap.
What if I have a problem with my OSHC provider? +
Contact your OSHC provider first. If the issue is not resolved, you can make a complaint to the relevant health insurance complaints service.