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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is health insurance that helps international students meet the costs of:
- medical and hospital care
- some prescription medicines
- emergency ambulance services
Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires that student visa holders maintain OSHC for the duration of their student visa, unless exempted under reciprocal government arrangements.
Some students from Sweden, Norway and Belgium are covered under those arrangements. All other student visa holders must have OSHC.
OSHC for Student Visa Holders
USC provides free OSHC Worldcare Essentials single cover through OSHC Worldcare for:
- undergraduate students
- postgraduate students
- fee-paying Study Abroad students
who are studying on a student visa and who require OSHC as determined by DIAC.
Students are individually responsible for ensuring that OSHC is current at all times and renewed as required.
If OSHC is allowed to lapse, students (and their families) are responsible for paying any medical costs incurred, which can be expensive.
OSHC is the minimum cover required by the Australian Government, however you may like to consider additional health and travel insurance at your own expense.
The OSHC Worldcare Essentials cover provided by USC is above the minimum requirement and will remove waiting periods for some services. For policy details and information visit OSHC Worldcare
EDUCover for Working Holiday Visa Holders
USC provides a free, single EDUCover policy through OSHC Worldcare for:
- undergraduate students
- postgraduate students
- fee-paying Study Abroad students
who are studying a single semester or session on a working holiday visa.
For policy details and information visit OSHC Worldcare
English language, exchange students and family cover
English language students, exchange program students and students requiring family cover will need to purchase their own OSHC if on a student visa from a recognised Australian provider, or other insurance if not on a student visa.
Students can ask USC to purchase OSHC on their behalf from USC's preferred provider, OSHC Worldcare.
Insurance for students not on a student visa or working holiday visa
If you are not a holder of either a student visa or working holiday visa, please refer to a travel agent or search online to find suitable health and/or travel insurance.