Arrange your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Learn about OSHC, policy lengths and how to arrange your cover.

About Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory requirement for most international students studying in Australia on a student visa. OSHC requirements are set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). You’re responsible for ensuring you hold valid OSHC for the entire duration of your stay in Australia while studying.

Confirm if you need OSHC

Most student visa applicants and holders must have OSHC. Limited exemptions apply to students from Sweden, Norway and Belgium, who may be covered under specific national health arrangements. See the Australian Department of Health website for further details on OSHC exemptions.

Your OSHC must be provided by an Australian insurer, and be issued by an insurer approved by the Australian Government to offer OSHC. Health insurance that is not approved as OSHC by the Australian Department of Health will not meet student visa requirements.

Only applicants or holders of a student visa are eligible for OSHC. For general information about OSHC, visit the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman website.

You can arrange OSHC either through the University or directly with an approved Australian provider. You must hold OSHC for the entire duration of your student visa and any additional time you plan to remain in Australia after completing your studies. For more information, visit the DHA Length of stay webpage.

Healthcare options for other visa types

It is recommended (and often a visa requirement) that you have adequate health insurance when travelling on a different type of temporary visa.

If you or your family are visiting, working, or working and holidaying in Australia, there are other Bupa insurance options available. For support, contact Bupa at students@bupa.com.au.

Most permanent visa applicants or holders are eligible to enrol in Australia's health care system, Medicare. Australia also has reciprocal health care arrangements that may entitle you to limited subsidised health services. Check to see which countries are covered.

Your OSHC should be longer than your course, not finish on the same day. The required end date depends on your course type and when your studies finish, as reflected on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). View the recommended policy lengths below.

  • Length of Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

    Ensure OSHC lasts until

    10 months or longer, finishing in November to December

    15 March the following year

    10 months or longer, finishing from January until October

    An additional two months on top of the CoE end date

    Other

    1 month after your course end date

  • Study period listed in Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

    Ensure OSHC lasts until

    Semester 1, finishing in June

    31st July (the same year)

    Semester 2, finishing in December

    31st January (the following year)

  • The length of stay for graduate research students is generally six months longer than the usual relevant period set out in the table above to account for the thesis examination period.

    If your research scholarship only covers single-level OSHC and you need couples, family, or single parent level cover, you will need to pay the additional amount for the higher level of cover yourself when accepting your offer. Alternatively, you can arrange your own OSHC with another approved Australian provider and apply for reimbursement equivalent to the cost of the single policy.

    Graduate OVC Discount

    The university has organised, in conjunction with Bupa, a 10% ongoing discount for UoM graduates on their OVC health insurance required for graduate visas. The offer is open to all graduates transitioning from OSHC to OVC.

Arrange OSHC through the University

The University of Melbourne can arrange visa-length OSHC for you through Bupa, the University’s preferred provider. This option:

  • Provides OSHC that meets DHA requirements
  • Offers visa-length coverage aligned with your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • Includes access to a Bupa representative on campus for support.

To choose this option, indicate on your Student Acceptance and Payment Agreement that you’d like the University to arrange OSHC. You’ll pay the OSHC premium at the same time as your tuition fee deposit. Once arranged:

  • Your policy start and end dates will appear on your CoE
  • You’ll be covered from the date you arrive in Australia.

The Bupa Success policy offers membership types for Singles, Couples, Single parents and Family. Policy details are available in the Success policy document. For policies purchased through the University prior to 1 March 2022, see the Advantage policy. The University receives a benefit for Bupa OSHC policies purchased through the University.

If you need help understanding your cover or arranging OSHC through the University, you can contact the Bupa on-campus consultant via:

You should order your OSHC membership card as soon as you arrive. You can find instructions on the Bupa website.

Arrange OSHC through another provider

You may choose to purchase OSHC directly from another approved Australian OSHC provider. If you choose to purchase OSHC through another provider, you must:

  • Arrange the policy directly with the provider
  • Confirm on your Student Acceptance and Payment Agreement that you already hold OSHC for the duration of your visa
  • Provide the DHA with your policy details when you submit your student visa application, as they won’t be listed on your CoE issued by the University.

Contact your provider directly to order your OSHC membership card.

Extend your OSHC

If your OSHC expires while you are still in Australia on a student visa, the DHA may cancel your visa. If you need to extend OSHC arranged through the University, contact Bupa using your student email address and include:

  • Your student number
  • Your Bupa membership number
  • Your full name and date of birth
  • The new OSHC end date.

You can also make an online Bupa appointment by submitting an enquiry with Stop 1.

If you have OSHC with another provider, contact them to extend it.

Contact Bupa about your OSHC

You can contact the University's insurance provider directly for assistance with your OSHC, including prices, claims, renewals or extensions, family cover, benefits and policy changes.