Student health cover,
chosen with care.
Your student visa needs OSHC for your whole stay in Australia. We recommend just two insurers, Bupa and Allianz Care, and explain the differences. Bupa through us is 92% of the official price, and you buy and pay on the insurer's own site.
- Bupa at 92%8% less than buying directly on Bupa's website.
- Meets visa condition 8501Both are government-approved OSHC insurers.
- You pay the insurerWe never handle your premium; the insurer issues your policy.
- Advisers who speak ChineseDates, which insurer, anything else: just ask.
What your visa needs
The student visa (subclass 500) comes with condition 8501: you must hold OSHC for your whole stay. Your policy should start on the day you arrive (or earlier) and run until your visa ends, with no gaps.
| Your course | Your visa usually ends, so cover until |
|---|---|
| 10 months or shorter | 1 month after the course ends |
| Longer than 10 months | 2 months after the course ends |
| Longer than 10 months and ending in November or December | 15 March the following year |
This is the general rule from the Department of Home Affairs; your visa application (or the visa period for your CoE) has the final word. Not sure? Send us your CoE and we'll check.
Bupa or Allianz Care: what's different
The government sets the minimum for every OSHC policy, so the basic cover is much the same. The differences are in specialist rebates, extras, waiting periods and service.
| Bupa | Allianz Care | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Bupa OSHC, as single, couple or family cover | Two levels, OSHC Essentials and OSHC Standard; this page follows the official Standard flyer |
| Doctor visits | GPs and specialists, in or out of hospital, up to 100% of MBS | GPs at 100% of MBS; specialists (out of hospital) at 85% of MBS |
| Blood tests and X-rays | Out-of-hospital pathology and radiology covered; most Medicare-approved tests in hospital at the full MBS fee | 85% of MBS |
| Hospital | Most hospital, accommodation and theatre costs covered at Members First, Network and public hospitals; a private room where available | Hospital treatment and accommodation at 100% of insured costs, including rehab, psychiatric care, pregnancy and birth, and cancer treatment |
| Prescription medicines | Up to A$50 per item after the PBS co-payment; yearly limit A$300 single, A$600 couple or family | The difference above the PBS co-payment, up to A$50 per medicine or vaccine, with a yearly limit; approved vaccines included |
| Ambulance | Unlimited emergency transport and on-site treatment by approved providers | 100% of the cost of transport by or arranged through an approved ambulance service |
| Waiting periods | 12 months for pre-existing conditions and for pregnancy (check Bupa's latest terms for the rule on policies of 2 years or more); none for accidents or emergency treatment. Starts from your arrival or cover start date, whichever is later | 12 months for pre-existing conditions; 12 months for pregnancy, none if the policy runs over 2 years; none for GPs, mental illness or emergency treatment. Starts from your arrival or visa grant date, whichever is later |
| Mental health wait | 2 months for pre-existing psychiatric conditions in the terms, currently not applied; outpatient mental health covered | No wait for care or treatment of mental illness |
| Not covered | Assisted reproduction (such as IVF), cosmetic surgery, experimental treatment, and procedures Medicare doesn't recognise | Assisted reproduction (such as IVF), and cosmetic procedures including cosmetic dental |
| Dental, optical, physio | Not in base OSHC; optional OSHC Extras, used only at Members First providers, with a 2-month initial wait (12 months for major dental) | Not in base OSHC; ask about separate add-ons |
| Network and out-of-pocket gap | Members First hospitals and direct-billing doctors; the Medical Gap Scheme caps each doctor's in-hospital gap at A$500; no out-of-pocket for specialist treatment at Members First day hospitals (not in the NT) | Hundreds of direct-billing providers across Australia |
| Online doctor | Blua online doctor, 24/7, fee covered in full | Doctors on Demand telehealth, 24/7 with no gap; referrals, medical certificates and prescriptions |
| 24/7 help and support | 24-hour Student Advice Line 1300 884 235 in over a hundred languages, including help with housing, legal and personal safety questions; customer line 1800 888 942 | 24/7 emergency line 1800 814 781; Sonder 24/7 safety, medical and mental health support by app, chat, phone or in person, available in Chinese |
| App and claims | myBupa: claim online, get an estimate before treatment, check remaining limits, renew; plus stores and WhatsApp support | Allianz MyHealth app: view your policy, claim online, track claims, call emergency services |
| Cancelling | Refunds if your visa is refused, you don't come, or you finish early and go home (proof needed) | Per Allianz Care's terms, sent with your quote |
Which one?
Bupa may suit you better if you:
Want to add dental, optical or physio; Like having a store to walk into, or prefer WhatsApp; Want specialist visits paid at 100% of MBS too
Allianz Care may suit you better if you:
Care about mental health support with no wait; Want a safety and wellbeing app in Chinese (Sonder); Prefer a simple choice between two levels, Essentials and Standard
Last checked 27 October 2026 against Bupa's and Allianz Care's official OSHC materials. Policy details change, so the insurer's website has the final word.
Three steps
- 01
Choose an insurer
Read the comparison and pick one. Not sure? Bupa at 92% is a safe choice, or ask us.
- 02
Fill in the form or go to the insurer
Bupa at 92%: fill in one form here and we email you Bupa's official payment link. Allianz Care: buy on Allianz's own site through our group link.
- 03
Pay and get your policy
Once you pay on the insurer's site, your certificate of cover arrives by email. You'll use it for your visa application.
Not on a student visa? You need OVHC
OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) is for people who aren't on a student visa. Each visa has its own health insurance requirements, so check your visa conditions before you buy, or ask us.
| Common cases | What to know |
|---|---|
| 485 Temporary Graduate visa | Moving from a student visa to a 485, switch from OSHC to OVHC with no gap in cover. |
| Work visas such as the 482 or 494 | These visas need adequate health insurance while you're in Australia; OVHC is the usual choice. |
| Visitor visas and visiting parents | Cover is wise even for a short stay, and some visas require it; go by your visa conditions. |
Are you an education agent or adviser?
Become a partner agent and get your own agent code. Then order for your students here, or send them your share link.
Common questions
What is OSHC, and who needs it?
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is health insurance for international students in Australia. On a student visa (subclass 500) you must hold OSHC for your whole stay under visa condition 8501. A partner or children who come with you need to be on the policy too.
How long should my cover be?
From the day you arrive (or earlier) until your visa ends. The visa usually runs 1 to 2 months past your course; see the table above. Your visa application normally asks for cover for the whole visa period.
How do I get Bupa at 92%?
Fill in the form on the Buy page. Our licensed insurance partner then issues Bupa's official payment link, which we email to you. You pay on Bupa's site and Bupa issues your policy. Buying directly on Bupa's website is full price.
How do I buy Allianz Care?
The Buy page has Allianz Care's official group link. You get a quote and pay on Allianz's own site, at Allianz's official price.
Who do I pay? Is it safe?
You pay the insurer directly; we never handle your premium. We and our licensed insurance partner may earn a commission from the insurer, which doesn't change your price.
Can I get a refund if my visa is refused or I don't come?
Bupa: you can apply for a refund if your visa is refused, you don't come to Australia, or you finish your studies early and leave, with proof. Allianz Care: under Allianz's policy terms. We're happy to ask for you.
What if my partner or children come with me?
You need a couple or family policy. Choose Couple or Family on the form and add your family members' names and dates of birth in the notes. We'll get in touch to confirm.
Can I switch insurers after my cover starts?
Usually yes, as long as your cover has no gap. How waiting periods you've already served carry over depends on both insurers' rules, so ask us before you switch.
What's the difference between OSHC and OVHC?
OSHC is for the student visa (subclass 500). OVHC is for other visas, such as the 485 graduate visa, work visas and visitor visas. When you move from a student visa to another visa, switch from OSHC to OVHC with no gap in between.
