Why do I need to take out OSHC?
As an international student, it’s a condition of your Student Visa to have Overseas Student Health Cover for the length of your stay in Australia.
OSHC is designed to cover the health services most students need and will help you pay for medical and hospital care whilst studying in Australia.
Who can be covered by OSHC?
- A person who is an applicant for a student visa; or
- A person who is the holder of a student visa; or
- A person who is the holder of a bridging visa, who was, immediately before being granted the bridging visa; the holder of a student visa.
Bupa Australia OSHC cover is available either as a single membership or a family membership. Single OSHC membership covers the individual student only. Family membership covers the student, spouse (partner) and any dependent children less than 18 years of age, if they are living in Australia with you.
How can I buy Overseas Student Health Cover?
If you are still overseas, you can purchase OSHC several ways:
1) Complete the online application form with a credit card payment (Mastercard or Visa).
2) Print the application form and complete it. Mail with the application form to
Bupa OSHC Memberships
PO BOX 14639
MELBOURNE VIC 8001
It’s easy and your cover will be ready when you arrive in Australia to start your studies. We will email you a Verification Letter for your Student Visa application, and when you arrive in Australia you can order your card online.
If you are already in Australia, you apply using the methods above, or you can visit us in a Retail Centre – find us here.
Once I have cover, what do I receive?
We can email you a Verification of Cover to confirm to educational or immigration officials that you have taken out OSHC health cover, once you have paid your premium.
Next, you’ll receive an OSHC membership card that will identify you as a member of the Bupa Australia Health network. You can present this card together with your photo ID student card to receive medical and hospital treatment, if you need it.
How long should I have cover for?
From 1 July 2010 international students must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the proposed duration of their student visa.
This legislation will also apply to students who are applying to extend/renew their current Student Visa after 1 July 2010.
If you already have a Student Visa (prior to 1 July 2010) then you do not need to purchase OSHC for the length of your Student Visa upfront. However, it is still a condition of your Visa that you keep your OSHC current, you must remember to renew it!
For more information, please visit the Department of Immigration & Citizenship website.
How much does Bupa OSHC cost?
For a breakdown of premium rates by length and type of cover (i.e. Single or Family) click here.
If I join, when will my cover start?
The student visa requires you to have cover from the day you arrive in Australia but you will need to buy your cover earlier, to help with your student visa application.
If you are still overseas when you join and pay your premium, you’ll be asked to nominate your date of arrival. This date will be the commencement date of your cover and the day that the cover becomes active. Don’t worry - you can adjust this date once you have booked your travel!
If you are already in Australia and want to switch to us from another OSHC provider, you will need to nominate a start date for your new Bupa OSHC cover. This should be the day after your previous OSHC policy expired, to make sure that you have “continuous” cover.
Or, if you can’t wait for your current policy to expire, we can switch you to Bupa today, and assist you with getting a refund from your other provider.
Am I covered from the day I arrive in Australia?
Yes, you are covered on arrival in Australia. If the start date on your OSHC policy is different to your actual arrival date, please contact us by email or call us on 1800 888 942 to adjust your policy dates.
If you arrive in Australia and have not collected your membership card, and need medical treatment before receiving your membership card, you will need to pay in advance and then we’ll reimburse you with the benefits you’re eligible for under your OSHC cover.
How do I change my OSHC start date?
If you arrive in Australia before or after the nominated date of arrival, you can change the date (with the appropriate documentation) your OSHC becomes active. Simply send us a copy of your Passport (the page showing your arrival date) along with your membership details and we’ll update your details and re-send the membership material if required.
Are there any waiting periods?
There are different waiting periods depending on when you purchased your OSHC membership. For more information, please click here.
Why choose Bupa Australia?
Our Overseas Student Health Cover is affordable and designed to provide you with the medical and hospital protection you need. Bupa Australia provides health cover for around three million people nationwide so you know your health is in good hands. We also have the following great benefits and features:
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Direct Billing Medical Clinics – get a medical consult without the need to claim
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Access to the Bupa Participating and Members’ First Private hospital network, where you’ll be covered for accommodation, theatre and intensive care fees
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Certainty of a single room or money back in our Participating Private Hospitals*
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Access to the Bupa Medical Gap Scheme, where you will have the certainty of a fixed gap, or no gap, on your in-hospital medical bills.
*Conditions apply for single room or money back offer.
What other services can Bupa Australia offer me?
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We offer a wide range of Extras Cover for services that are not covered by OSHC, such as dental, optical, and physiotherapy.
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Extras cover gives you access to Members’ First providers, who offer higher benefits on extras services such as physiotherapy and dental treatment, and the purchase of contact lenses or glasses.
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We also offer cover for your general insurance needs, with a 10% discount on home and car, and 15% discount on travel insurance.
Contact us on 1800 888 942 within Australia, or +613 9937 4223 from overseas.
You can also email us for a response within 1 business day.
Who is Bupa?
At Bupa, we exist to help our members live longer, healthier, happier lives. And as a leading healthcare organisation in Australia, we’re well placed to support and look after you and your family’s health.
We take pride in delivering high quality health cover that is affordable and represents real value. We have been around for over 60 years; our history goes back to our trusted brands HBA, MBF and Mutual Community, which we used to be known as.
Our members also benefit from being part of a secure, international family - the Bupa Group - which cares for over 33 million people across 190 countries. We've drawn on this wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide Australians with better healthcare services, support and advice, and we continue to grow and develop relationships with key healthcare partners at home and abroad.
Today, we proudly look after the needs of more than three million Australians and visitors to Australia. We understand our members and the importance of helping to manage your health for the long term. That’s why we aim to provide you with the best advice, support, care and treatment to help you find what’s right for your needs. We have a range of healthcare services to help you live a healthier life. Not just when you’re unwell but when you’re absolutely fine too
How do I transfer my OSHC from another fund?
You can transfer between OSHC providers without penalty provided your cover is up-to-date. If you transfer to Bupa Australia OSHC, you will need to provide proof of the OSHC you formerly held. Any period of membership served with one provider will ensure that you do not have to re-serve any waiting periods as long as there is no lapse in membership.
To arrange your transfer to Bupa Australia OSHC, please email us, or call us toll-free on 1800 888 942 (within Australia).
If you’re transferring to another OSHC provider from Bupa, we will refund your Bupa membership back to you once you present us with proof of cover from the new OSHC fund that you have joined.
How often do I need to pay my premium?
From 1 July 2010 international students must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the proposed duration of their student visa. You will need to purchase OSHC to cover the entire duration of the Student Visa you are applying for.
This means you can have peace of mind, because you will not need to worry about renewing your membership.
This legislation will also apply to students who are applying to extend/renew their current Student Visa after 1 July 2010.
For students already in Australia on a Student Visa, you will not be affected by this new legislation (until you apply to renew/extend your Visa). You can renew your cover every three months or more, depending on how often you would prefer to pay. However, it is still a condition of your Visa that you keep your OSHC current, so you must remember to renew your cover.
If your OSHC cover lapses you will not be covered for treatment or services while you are uninsured. You’ll also be in breach of your student visa which could cause a problem if you wish to extend your visa. Sickness and accidents can happen unexpectedly and if you’re cover is not active you may find yourself under financial pressure. In addition The Department of Health and Ageing will require you to pay the premiums that you would have paid had you not allowed your cover to lapse, which is described below.
Do I have to back pay lapsed OSHC cover?
It is a condition of your student visa that you have continuous cover for the length of your visa and do not let your cover lapse. But if it does, you will be required by any of the five OSHC providers to “back pay” when you contact them before you can renew your cover. This will not affect your pre-existing ailment Waiting Period already served, but the OSHC provider does have the right to not pay any benefits during this 'lapsed' period even if you made the back payment.
Should I take out extras cover and what extra advantage would this offer me?
Bupa Australia can provide you with extras cover for services that are not covered under OSHC. There are many different levels of cover available, and can cover services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy. For more information on Extras cover, please visit the website or drop into a Retail Centre near you.
Does my OSHC cover me outside Australia?
OSHC cover is only applicable for medical and hospital treatment whilst you are in Australia.
Can I suspend my cover if I am going overseas during my study stay?
You’ll be able to suspend your OSHC membership to travel overseas. However, you will need to advise us before leaving Australia and provide proof of travel before you leave. You can only suspend if you are absent from Australia for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months. Acceptable reasons for suspension will be on compassionate grounds e.g. illness, injury or death of a family member; a wedding or special occasion of a family member; travel overseas for work experience or as part of your studies; or if you are returning home for a period of time.
If you suspend your OSHC cover you will not be covered for treatment or services rendered during this period and the uninsured period will not count towards any unserved waiting periods. Your membership will need to be suspended from the day after you leave Australia and resume on the date of your arrival back in Australia.
If you are on a family membership the whole membership must be suspended (if only part of the family is leaving the country then the membership must be kept financial).
If you have OSHC with Bupa Australia, you are entitled to a 15% discount on travel insurance
Please email us to arrange suspension of your cover.
What happens if I pay for my OSHC but decide not to take up the study offer?
If you pay for your OSHC but decide not to take up the study offer you are entitled to a full refund in Australia Dollars, so please email us to arrange a refund of your cover.
What if I have a brother or sister who wishes to come to Australia with me during my study period?
Other or extended members of your family cannot be covered by your Bupa Australia OSHC plan. If they have their own Overseas Student Visa, they will need to purchase their own Bupa Australia OSHC single or family membership. If they are visiting Australia, we have another cover specifically designed for them called Overseas Visitor Cover, which will provide the same high level of medical and hospital cover that you enjoy under your OSHC cover.
Can I get cover for my car or for travel?
Bupa Australia covers more than just health. We can also arrange travel, car and home insurance for you*. We offer a 10% discount on any car, home, contents, caravan, boat or trailer premium, and 15% off travel insurance if you have Bupa Australia OSHC. Click here to see our Travel, Home and Car Insurance options.
*Not applicable in Western Australia.