Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs requires all international students applying for a student visa to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their student visa. OSHC is offered by a number of providers, and you can obtain OSHC from the provider of your choice.
OSHC assists you as a student visa holder to meet the costs of medical and hospital care you may need while in Australia. OSHC may include ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals. When you apply for a student visa, you must show the Department of Home Affairs that you have OSHC for the duration of your visa or that ACU is arranging OSHC on your behalf as indicated on your Confirmation of Enrolment.
It's important to note that waiting periods will differ depending on which OSHC policy you have purchased. A waiting period is the time you need to wait before a benefit is available and you can make a claim. Some costs, such as medical expenses relating to a pre-existing condition, are not covered during your waiting period. Pregnancy cover may require a waiting period. You can claim for benefits available on your policy for expenses incurred after the waiting period has ended.
Purchasing your OSHC with Medibank through ACU
Australian Catholic University has a ‘preferred provider’ agreement with Medibank. Medibank are one of Australia’s largest Health Insurance companies and are the longest provider of OSHC to international students. Navigating a new healthcare system in a new country can be difficult, we're here to help make it simple for you. Joining Medibank means becoming part of a trusted Australian health insurance provider with over 4 million members.
You can apply for the Medibank OSHC via the following link:
Medibank Comprehensive OSHC
If you ordered Medibank Comprehensive OSHC with your offer to ACU (via the link) a copy of your policy certificate was sent to your nominated email account from the Medibank system.
Medibank Comprehensive OSHC meets your student visa health insurance requirements (for all course types), helps towards your hospital and medical needs and provides a range of added value services above the government minimum requirements.
The benefits of the Medibank Comprehensive OSHC Policy include:
- Market leading coverage for prescription medicines, providing reduced payments for a wide range of eligible prescription medicines
- Best in market Mental Health Coverage
- Unlimited emergency ambulance: 100% of the cost towards ambulance services Australia wide (where immediate medical attention is required and your condition is such that you couldn’t be transported any other way)
- 100% back on Accident & Emergency Department facility fees (the facility fee may not include all medical services provided and out-of-pocket expenses may apply)
- Thanks to ACU’s partnership with Medibank, the waiting periods for Pregnancy and birth and associated services are waived for ACU students.
Refer to the full cover summary for further details.
You can choose to purchase your OSHC directly through an external private health insurance provider or your agent, but be sure to check the level of coverage you’ll receive under their policies, and understand what is and isn’t covered.
