About OSHC
OSHC is your health insurance while you are studying in Australia. It provides you with peace of mind, so you can really enjoy your Aussie experience. And, if your life takes an unexpected turn while you’re in Australia, Medibank Private will be with you every step of the way.
Please note, you are only eligible for OSHC if you currently hold a student visa, or are in the process of applying for one.
Here are some questions about OSHC we think you’d like answered:
Like to find out more?
Take a look at our FAQs, download brochures in English or other languages or take a look at some useful links.
Why Medibank Private OSHC?
Medibank Private is the preferred private health fund for almost three million Australians. It is also the number one choice for international students. As Australia’s leading private health fund, our staff are qualified to understand your needs and are committed to providing you with outstanding service and affordable OSHC.
Why do I need OSHC?
It’s a condition of your Student Visa that you have private health insurance while you’re studying in Australia.
OSHC will help you pay for medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia and will contribute towards the cost of most prescription medicines (up to applicable limits), as well as medically necessary ambulance transport.
How long do I need OSHC for?
It is a condition of your student visa that you have private health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia. You need to renew your membership if you are extending your student visa or have not paid the full length of your original visa.
Please remember that the Australian Government requires that the minimum period of OSHC is 12 months or the length of your student visa, whichever is shorter. The maximum period is the length of your student visa.
We recommend you purchase Visa Length Cover because you won’t have to worry about renewing your membership or premium increases.
Who is covered?
You can choose OSHC as a:
Single – covers you only
Family – covers you, your husband or wife, and dependent children under 18 if they live with you in Australia.
If you are an expatriate Australian student or New Zealand student coming to Australia to do formal studies and you have a Student Visa, it is important you have OSHC for the length of your stay.
Who does not need to be covered by OSHC?
Norwegian students do not need to take out OSHC, as health insurance for all Norwegian students is provided by the Norwegian Government.
Swedish students have health insurance provided through CSN international, the Swedish National Board of Student Aid. If you are not covered by CSN, you must take out OSHC.
If you are an expatriate Australian student or New Zealand student coming to Australia to start formal studies, you might not be on a student visa and therefore unable to take out OSHC. However, if you’re on a Student Visa, it’s important you take out OSHC for the length of your stay.
For more information, call 132 331 or visit one of our Retail Centres.
What is covered?
This tells you what your OSHC covers you for.
Need help? If you don't understand any of these words, please see our dictionary.
- Out-of-hospital medical services
- In-hospital medical services
- Public Hospitals
- Private Hospitals: Members’ Choice
- Private Hospitals: Non Members’ Choice
- Prescribed medicines
- Ambulance services
| Service |
Benefits |
| 1. Out-of-hospital medical services for: |
| General Practitioners (Doctors) |
100% of Medicare Benefits Schedule fee* |
| Specialists, including Pathology, X-rays |
85% of Medicare Benefits Schedule fee* |
| 2. In-hospital medical services |
| Doctors, Specialists, Pathology, X-rays |
100% of Medicare Benefits Schedule fee* |
| 3. Public Hospitals |
| Accommodation (admitted patient in a shared ward) |
100% of the charge |
| Surgically implanted prostheses and other items (included on the Australian Government Prostheses Schedule) |
100% of the charge of a no-gap prostheses |
| Out-patient medical or post-operative services (fees raised by the hospital for treatment where you are not an admitted patient). For medical services and benefits see section 1. |
100% of the charge |
| 4. Private Hospitals: Members’ Choice |
| Accommodation and theatre fees |
100% of the charge |
| Surgically implanted prostheses and other items (included on the Australian Government Prostheses Schedule) |
100% of the charge of a no-gap prostheses |
| Other costs provided for in our agreement with the hospital (such as prescription medicines directly related to the reason for your hospital admission, and some ancillary services) |
100% of the charge |
| Other costs: colour TV, local calls from bedside phone (some Members’ Choice Hospitals only) |
100% of the charge |
| 5. Private Hospitals: Non Members’ Choice |
| Accommodation and theatre fees |
Charges and benefits may vary between hospitals.* |
| Surgically implanted prostheses and other items (included on the Australian Government Prostheses Schedule) |
100% of the charge of a no-gap prostheses |
| 6. Prescribed medicines |
Medibank Private OSHC provides benefits for prescription medicines (excluding oral contraceptives and prescriptions when prescribed for cosmetic purposes).
Members are required to pay a contribution towards the cost of each prescribed item |
Maximum $50 per prescription item |
| Maximum $300 per calendar year (single) |
| Maximum $600 per calendar year (family), any one person cannot use more than $300 |
| 7. Ambulance services |
| When medically necessary for admission to hospital or for emergency treatment |
100% of the charge |
* Charges may be more than the OSHC benefit – you will be responsible for paying any difference between the OSHC benefit and the charge
What is not covered?
This tells you what your OSHC does not cover you for.
Remember! You should always check your benefit entitlement before you are admitted to hospital.
- Public and Private Hospitals
- Medical Services
- Prescribed Medicines
- Ambulance Services
| Service |
| 1. Public and Private Hospitals |
- Accommodation that costs more than what Medibank Private will pay for a shared room, if accommodated in a single room by request
- Any services in a Members’ Choice Hospital that are not covered by our agreement with the hospital
- The difference between the charges raised by a non-Members’ Choice Hospital and how much Medibank Private will pay
- Any items provided to you when you are discharged from a hospital
- Any extras services given to you in hospital that are not related to the reason of your hospital stay
- Out-patient charges raised by private hospitals
- Surgically implanted prostheses and other items not included in the Australian Government Prostheses Schedule
- The difference between the cost of a "Gap Prostheses" and the benefit payable by Medibank Private
- Cost of newspapers, TV hire and telephone calls, except as covered in some Members’ Choice hospitals
|
| 2. Medical Services |
- Treatment not considered medically necessary, eg: health screening and cosmetic surgery
- Any difference between what your doctor charges you and what Medibank Private will pay you
- Any medical examinations, X-rays and/or pathology required by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) as part of the student visa renewal process
|
| 3. Prescribed Medicines |
- Your Prescription Medicine Co-payment for each Prescription Medicine
- Costs in excess of the benefit payable for each Prescription Medicine
- Costs in excess of the maximum annual benefit payable for Prescription Medicines
- Medicines other than Prescription Medicines
- Medicines prescribed for cosmetic purposes
- Oral contraceptives
|
| 4. Ambulance Services |
|
The cost of ambulance transport which is not medically necessary for admission to hospital or is not for emergency treatment
|
What if I get sick or injured?
Being sick or injured in a new country can be a scary experience. But at Medibank Private, we’re here to help.
In Australia, you can choose any doctor you want or go to the outpatients department of a public hospital. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
If you need to go to a hospital, you can choose to go to either a public hospital or a private hospital.
How do I pay for my medical services?
There are 3 ways:
- Hospitals and some doctors may bill us direct for charges like accommodation, theatre fees and medical services. You are responsible for paying the difference between the OSHC benefit and the charge.
- Give us your unpaid account and we will send you a cheque made payable to your doctor. You then send the cheque and any unpaid difference to your doctor.
- You can pay your doctor or specialist first, then make a claim.
For prescribed medicines you have to pay the pharmacist first and then claim from Medibank Private. You will need your receipt, so remember to collect it from the pharmacy.
How do I make a claim?
You can claim in person or by mail.
In person
After you have paid your doctor’s account, you can visit any Medibank Private Retail Centre to make a claim (remember to bring your account and your receipt). You will get this amount in cash, however claims above a certain amount can either be paid directly into your nominated bank account via EFT transfer or, by cheque which will be sent to your residential address.
You can also drop your completed claim form with all relevant accounts and receipts into the claim box at any Medibank Private Retail Centre. We’ll then send you a cheque.
By mail
Simply complete an OSHC claim form, attach your accounts and receipts and post to Medibank Private GPO Box 9999 in your nearest capital city.
Can I suspend my OSHC?
Yes, you can! If you need to go overseas, you can suspend your membership:
- for a minimum continuous period of 2 months
The maximum period:
- for students who are required to travel overseas as part of their course of study is 12 months, and
- for all other reasons for overseas travel is 6 months
You will not have to pay the premiums for the period of time you have suspended your membership, but will not be covered for any services you may need while your membership is suspended.
So how do I suspend my membership?
Visit one of our Retail Centres within 1 month of arriving back in Australia with proof of your departure/return dates. Examples of proof include:
- Departure and arrival boarding passes with appropriate dates;
- Stamps in passport from departure and arrival countries;
- Confirmed travel itinerary from airlines;
- Airline issued and dated luggage tags.
If you have any questions about suspending your membership, please take a look at our Membership Guide, visit a Medibank Private Retail Centre, or call us on 132 331.
Tell me about Australia’s Health System
The Australian health care system is divided into a public and a private system.
The Public System
Australia has a national public health system called Medicare. It provides permanent Australian residents with access to free treatment in public hospitals and subsidised prescription medicines.
Australian residents contribute to the health care system through their taxes. It is not generally available to overseas visitors, including international students.
The Private System
Many Australian residents:
- Choose to receive treatment in private hospitals
- Want to choose the doctor who treats them hospital
- Want more options when they go to a private hospital
- Need services of other health professionals like dentists and physiotherapists
Generally, many Australian residents take out private health insurance to help cover these costs, which are not covered by Medicare.
Useful Links
Government Organisations
International Education Organisations