Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory health insurance product required by the Australian Government for international students studying in Australia. It is designed to help international students meet the costs of medical and hospital care they may need while in Australia. OSHC also includes ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals. It is a visa requirement for international students to maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia. OSHC policies cannot cover expenses that are arranged before coming to Australia or needed while traveling to or from Australia.

Some key features of OSHC include:

• Coverage: OSHC helps international students meet the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia. It also covers ambulance services and limited pharmaceuticals.

• Duration: International students must have OSHC in place for the full duration of their student visa.

• Choice of insurer: International students have a choice in who they get their OSHC cover from while studying in Australia. They are not obliged to use the OSHC provider recommended by their educational institution.

• Exclusions: OSHC policies cannot cover expenses that are arranged before coming to Australia or needed while traveling to or from Australia. They also cannot cover transportation of an overseas student or dependent into or out of Australia for any reason.

International students can arrange OSHC health insurance through their educational institution or buy online from an OSHC insurer website. They can compare providers and find out more about OSHC on the OSHC Australia website at oshcaustralia.com.au.