Can I suspend my membership?

Yes you can!

As an OSHC member, you can suspend your membership for a minimum of 2 months up to a maximum of 6 months, if you need to travel overseas for any reason. However, if it is part of your curriculum to undertake work experience in your home country, you are able to suspend your membership for up to 12 months.

To suspend your membership, simply visit one of our Retail Centres within 1 month of arriving back in Australia with proof of the dates of your departure and return. 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 visit your nearest Medibank Private Retail Centre or call us on 132 331 (between 8am and 8pm weekdays or 8am to 4pm Saturdays AEST).

Suspension Policy

Effective 1 July 2004, as an OSHC member, you may suspend your membership if you elect or are required to travel overseas for any reason, subject to the following conditions:

  • Suspension and re-activation of your membership must occur within 1 month of returning to Australia.
  • Your absence from Australia must be for a continuous period.
  • The minimum period of suspension is 2 months. The maximum period of suspension is 6 months, or 12 months if you are undertaking work experience in your home country.
  • A further period of suspension cannot not be granted within 6 months after your membership has been re-activated.
  • Suspension of your membership will start from the date of departure from Australia.
  • Your membership must be paid at least 1 month in advance of the effective date of suspension before the suspension can be granted.

Any period of suspension within the first 12 months of membership will not count towards your 12-month waiting period for treatment for medical conditions or disabilities in existence before your arrival in Australia. The waiting period will need to be completed after re-activation of your membership.

If you hold a retail extras cover, the extras cover will be treated in the same manner as OSHC for the purposes of suspension.

Suspensions and re-activations cannot be requested by your Educational Institution. You must contact Medibank Private directly via a Retail Centre. You can make enquiries by contacting our Customer Care Line on 132 331 or emailing us at ask_us@medibank.com.au.

Get a Quote

Other Joining options

Call us on:

132 331 within Australia
+61 3 8622 5780 outside Australia

8am - 8pm Monday to Friday or
8am - 4pm on Saturday,
Australian Eastern Standard Time