Standard OSHC is a health insurance policy designed to provide affordable access to medical and hospital treatment for students or their family dependents while studying in Australia. OSHC will also contribute to the cost of most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport. See the  Department of Health and Ageing website for full information about registered OSHC providers, complete details of what is covered and OSHC eligibility.

 

NOTE: OSHC does not cover dental treatment. As dental services in Australia are expensive you should have your teeth checked and any necessary dental work completed before you leave home.

 

Australian Government law requires international students and their dependents, including Study Abroad and Exchange students undertaking formal studies in Australia to purchase and maintain OSHC for the duration of their studies, from the time of arrival in Australia. Membership of a health insurance scheme in your home country does not exempt you from having to take out OSHC. However, some Norwegian and Swedish students who are covered by their government's health insurance schemes are exempted from the OSHC requirement*.

 

 

If you are a New Zealand permanent resident visa holder (NZ PR) in Australia on student visa, Medicare DOES NOT cover you as outlined under the Trans-Tasman Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

 

NZ PR visa holder studying in Australia are classified as international students and must arrange own health insurance cover such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) either through UNSW or directly with an OSHC provider.

 

There are 4 registered providers of OSHC and UNSW's preferred provider is OSHC Worldcare.

 

If you decide to purchase your OSHC from the University's preferred provider, you can arrange it yourself or through the University when paying your tuition fee deposit. If you ask the University to arrange it for you, we will receive a commission which is used to improve services to students.

 

If you decide to purchase your OSHC from one of the other providers, you will not be financially disadvantaged but you must arrange it directly with the provider yourself. The other OSHC providers are: BUPA Australia Health, Medibank Private and Australian Health Management (AHM).

 

Further information about other OSHC providers is available from the Department of Health and Ageing website.

 

Please note: Membership of health insurance schemes in your home country does not exempt you from paying the OSHC

 

If you are coming to Australia for the first time on an International Student, you must pay for the OSHC before you leave home. If you choose the University's preferred supplier, OSHC Worldcare, payment details will be provided to you in the offer letter. If you choose another OSHC provider please contact them directly for payment methods.

 

Yes, some OSHC providers provide additional cover at extra cost. Enquire at the OSHC providers for Ancillary Cover options.

 

You must ensure that you purchase OSHC for the duration of your study in Australia. The minimum period of cover is 12 months or the duration of your program if it is longer. You must renew your OSHC before it expires. To do this, you must contact your OSHC provider directly. If you wish to purchase OSHC for the full duration of your visa, contact your OSHC provider for details.

 

If you purchase OSHC through UNSW's preferred supplier OSHC Worldcare, after you arrive in Australia and complete the enrolment process, go to OSHC Worldcare  website to register and have your OSHC Worldcare membership card sent to your home address.

 

If you purchase your OSHC through another OSHC provider please contact them directly for information on how to register.

 

* Students applying from Norway and most Swedish students do not need to obtain OSHC because the Department of Health and Ageing has advised that these countries have a national health scheme or other arrangements that provide acceptable health insurance while they are overseas. For the OSHC requirement to be waived Norwegian students should have documentation proving that they are covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Swedish students should have proof that they have insurance provided by CSN International (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid). OSHC is available to Norwegian and Swedish nationals if they require it.