OSHC, OVHC or Travel Insurance? Health Cover Basics
Updated: 2 days ago
Health care in Australia can be expensive if you aren't covered. If you're on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462), a student visa, or thinking about moving from one to the other, you'll hear three terms a lot: OSHC, OVHC and travel insurance. Here's what each one means, based on official government guidance.
OSHC: Overseas Student Health Cover
OSHC is private health insurance designed for international students. According to the Australian Government's privatehealth.gov.au, student visa holders are required to hold OSHC. Home Affairs also says OSHC products commonly provide the minimum level of health insurance it recommends for overseas students.
It's for people on a student visa.
You usually need it for the whole length of your student visa.
Cover levels vary between insurers, so compare what's included.
Planning to switch from a Working Holiday visa to a student visa later? You can compare OSHC plans from partner insurers on our OSHC page.
OVHC: Overseas Visitors Health Cover
OVHC is private health insurance for temporary visa holders who are visiting or working in Australia, not studying. privatehealth.gov.au says visitors should consider taking out OVHC to help with medical costs. Some visas carry condition 8501, which means you must keep adequate health insurance for your whole stay.
Home Affairs "strongly recommends" that all visitors who aren't eligible for Medicare get private health insurance, whether or not it's a condition of their visa.
What about travel insurance?
Many travellers buy travel insurance before they leave home. It can cover things like trip cancellation, lost luggage and some medical costs, but every policy is different. Check whether it covers medical treatment in Australia, for how long, and whether it still covers you while you work.
Medicare and reciprocal agreements
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries. If one applies to you, you may get some medically necessary care through Medicare, but it isn't full cover. Check your eligibility on the Services Australia website.
Before you buy any policy, check:
What hospital, GP and ambulance costs are covered
Waiting periods, especially for pre-existing conditions (privatehealth.gov.au notes that most insurers apply a 12-month waiting period)
When cover starts, since OVHC usually starts when you arrive in Australia
Whether the policy meets your visa conditions
Not sure which visa conditions apply to you? Check them for free in VEVO. Our guide shows how: How to check your visa with VEVO.
Good to know
This is general information only, not insurance or visa advice.
We International is an education agency working with registered migration partners. For visa advice we can refer you to a migration professional: Migration Support.
We sell OSHC through partner insurers. Policy terms are set by each insurer, so read the policy documents before you buy.
Questions? Send us an enquiry
Thinking about studying in Australia and need OSHC? Fill in our enquiry form at weintervisa.com/contact-us.
Sources: privatehealth.gov.au, Overseas Visitors & Overseas Students; Department of Home Affairs, Adequate health insurance for visa holders (condition 8501).
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