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Overseas Student Health Cover
As an international student in Australia, you are required by the Australian Government to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your student visa. This must be purchased from an approved OSHC provider, such as Bupa.
What is Overseas Student Health Cover?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory health insurance for international students in Australia that helps cover the cost of medical care if you get sick or injured.
You must be able to show the Department of Home Affairs that you have OSHC. Breaches of this condition may incur serious consequences, including the cancellation of your student visa.
Your OSHC must be arranged for the entire duration of your stay in Australia (including before and after your studies), cover your dependants (including spouses and children under 18) and be maintained to meet student visa conditions set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Please refer to the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Fact Sheet for more information.
What does Overseas Student Health Cover include?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurers provide a range of health insurance options for international students. Your compulsory minimum (basic) OSHC plan will usually cover:
- some hospital treatments
- ambulance
- visits to the doctor (GP)
- limited pharmaceuticals (medicines).
Healthcare providers can charge different prices for their services, so be sure to check whether your OSHC provider will cover some or all the cost. OSHC does not cover any illness or disability you had prior to arriving in Australia.
How much does OSHC cost?
Deakin University partners with Australian insurance provider Bupa to offer students pre-arranged OSHC. Your letter of offer from Deakin University will list how much your OSHC will cost based on the length of the student visa required to complete your course.
What length of cover do I need?
You will require OSHC for at least the length of your student visa. The start and ends dates of your degree can be found on your Confirmation of Enrolment. Your OSHC will start from the date you arrive in Australia. If you would like to stay in the country after your course finishes (for example if you are waiting for your graduation ceremony), please make sure your cover is still active.
If you do not purchase OSHC cover for the full duration of your visa, the Department of Home Affairs may reject your visa application or grant you a visa for a shorter period. In that case, you would need to apply for a visa extension.
You can change your OSHC start date by contacting your provider directly. If your OSHC expires, the Department of Home Affairs may cancel your student visa.
Overseas Student Health Cover exceptions
You do not need to purchase OSHC if you are:
- an Australian government scholarship student
- a Belgian student covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia
- a Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
- a Swedish student who has insurance provided by CSN International or Kammarkkllegiet
- studying for less than three months on a visitor or tourist visa.
You may also be covered for medical care under your own national schemes.
Where can I buy OSHC for an Australian student visa?
Deakin University has partnered with global insurance company Bupa to offer international students pre-arranged OSHC. Or you can choose to arrange your own OSHC with an Australian health insurance provider.
Bupa OSHC through Deakin University
When you accept your offer to study at Deakin University and pay your OSHC fee with your tuition fees, you will automatically be covered by Bupa OSHC for the whole time you are enrolled at Deakin. Review the policy details to check whether this policy is right for you.
OSHC through another provider
If you would like to choose your own provider, you can compare OSHC providers for students in Australia by visiting the Australian Government website. If you choose to arrange your own OSHC, you will need to provide the details of your cover to Deakin and submit proof of purchase directly to the Department of Home Affairs along with your student visa application.
Connect with Bupa
Bupa provides access to a range of services designed to help support your health and wellbeing as an international student in Australia.
Visit on campus
Bupa representatives are available for in-person consultations on our Melbourne Burwood campus. Visit Bupa OSHC On-Campus Support Deakin Burwood (Building LB, Level 2, Student Central).
Call the team
The Bupa Overseas Student Support team are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (AEST). If you are calling from Australia, you can connect with them by dialling 1800 888 942.
24-hour advice line
Need assistance outside of business hours? Dial 1300 884 235. The 24-hour Student Advice Line can support you in 180 languages and provide support with a range of emergency situations.
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We have a huge range of services in place to support every aspect of your university experience. From scholarships to career advice, we are here to set you up for a bright future.
Health and wellness support
No matter which Deakin campus you choose to study at, you will have access to a range of health and wellbeing services designed to support your happiness and success as an international student. Our doctors and nurses provide the highest level of care to all Deakin students and staff – and consultations are free under your OSHC.
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