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.