Healthcare and OSHC

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory condition of the Subclass 500 student visa. It covers most medical and hospital care while you're in Australia, similar to the Medicare system that residents use.

What OSHC covers

• GP consultations
• Hospital treatment as a public or private patient
• Some prescriptions (capped per year)
• Ambulance services
• Limited specialist services

What OSHC doesn't cover

• Most dental care
• Optical (glasses, contacts)
• Physiotherapy
• Pre-existing conditions in some cases

Reciprocal arrangements

Students from some countries (including the UK, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, and Sweden) may be eligible for Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Medicare. These can replace the need for OSHC for the duration of your stay.