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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.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you and any dependants who come to Australia with you are covered by OSHC for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.

Preferred OSHC Provider

We've partnered with Medibank, one of Australia's leading health funds with over 4 million members, to give our international students access to health cover backed by extensive experience supporting students studying in Australia.

Medibank Comprehensive OSHC is a exclusive cover for university international students. It offers a range of added value services above the Australian government's minimum requirements.

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.

Why choose Medibank Comprehensive OSHC?

1. Student Health and Support Line

Accessible for all ACU international students, you can receive telehealth advice from a registered nurse, counselling services and more. The Student Health and Support Line can help you find a doctor, psychologist or hospital nearby depending on your needs so you get the right support for your situation.

Tel: 1800 887 283 (from Australia) OR +61 3 9862 1095 (from outside Australia).

2. Unlimited emergency ambulance

You may be eligible for 100% coverage of the cost of unlimited emergency ambulance services, Australia-wide.5

3. Market leading mental health coverage2

No waiting periods for in-hospital psychiatric services even if it's treatment for a pre-existing condition. No annual limits or maximum number of sessions under a GP Mental Health Management Plan.

4. Reduce the upfront cost of visits to the Doctor

Thanks to Medibank's direct billing network for OSHC members, there are over 2,500 health practitioners that bill Medibank directly for medical services and can reduce the amount you need to pay.3

Students studying at ACU's Melbourne and Brisbane campuses can also access on-campus medical services, providing a convenient option for healthcare while on campus.

5. Market leading coverage for prescription medicines2

Medibank Comprehensive OSHC has the highest annual limits, highest benefits and widest range of prescription medicines covered.

6. Access to OSHC Online Doctor

With Online Doctor, you can have an online consultation 24/7 with a qualified medical doctor with no out-of-pocket costs for the consultation.1

• Direct access 24/7 via the Medibank OSHC App
• See a doctor for prescriptions, medical certificates, referrals, imaging and pathology
• Audio & video consultations are billed directly to Medibank.

7. Save, earn and learn with Student Rewards Plus

With Medibank Student Rewards Plus you can access discounts, special offers and support to find work and enhance your skills and knowledge while studying in Australia. Depending on their spend, Medibank OSHC members could get over $650 in value in their first three months to help with the cost of student life and arriving in Australia.4

Note: Savings estimate is based on $2,471 of expenditure over three months relating to a range of accommodation, technology, entertainment and other costs an international student may incur as of July 2025.

8. Pregnancy-related services

Thanks to the ACU partnership with Medibank, the waiting periods for Pregnancy and birth and associated services are waived for ACU students with Medibank Comprehensive OSHC.

Access the Medibank website for an outline of the Comprehensive OSHC policy inclusions.

1. Medibank may pay benefits towards video/audio doctor consultations. Waiting times may vary depending on doctor availability. Online Doctor is offered on a trial basis and may be discontinued at any time. Online Doctor is provided through the Medibank OSHC app, which is currently not available to dependants (partners and children) on a policy; appointments for dependants on a policy must be booked by the primary policyholder, who will need to obtain consent to make the booking. Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.
2. Based on Medibank's assessment of mental health coverage in OSHC products as at 1 July 2025.
3. Direct billing health practitioners (e.g., general practitioners, pathology & radiology providers) are providers that have an agreement with Medibank OSHC to send the bill directly to Medibank. Out-of-pocket expenses may apply depending on whether your doctor charges more than the benefit payable under Medibank OSHC. Network current as of 2025 and subject to change.
4. Access to offers and discounts may vary from time to time and subject to change at any time. For Medibank OSHC members only. T&Cs apply. Access via the Medibank OSHC app to find out more.
5. For ambulance attendance or transportation to a hospital where immediate medical attention is required and your condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.

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.

Medibank information videos

Understand the Australian Health System - YouTube

Why Medibank OSHC? - YouTube

Medibank OSHC FAQs - YouTube

The Medibank OSHC - YouTube

FAQ

Moving to Australia to study can involve a lot of new purchases. As a Medibank OSHC member, you can enjoy the perks of Medibank Student Rewards Plus, where you’ll have exclusive access to discounts and ever-changing special offers that could save you up to $1,000 a year on food, entertainment, technology and education costs.

Finding work in a new country can be hard, but with Student Rewards Plus, we make it a little easier. We provide a range of support including advice on interview preparation, resume building and help to find the right career path for you. Plus, you can access our student job board to search for casual, part-time or full-time job opportunities.

We do recommend that you have your eyes and teeth checked before you arrive in Australia as dental work and glasses are generally not covered under OSHC and are relatively expensive in Australia. You can purchase cover for these extra services at an additional cost.

Your membership number will be shown on your policy certificate. Your certificate will be sent to you via email at the time when your policy is arranged for you. Medibank will then send you a welcome email including instructions on how to register online to create an account for your OSHC.

When you arrive in Australia you can register and order your physical membership card via the Medibank OSHC App or the Medibank website. The Medibank OSHC app, which includes your e-membership card, can be used when you need to see a doctor by showing the medical practice your e-membership card.

For questions about your policy, claims or the OSHC app, Medibank have a dedicated multi-lingual team who can answer any question you have;

Call: 134 148 (8am -8pm AEST) or overseas +61 3 9862 1095

Web messaging: medibankoshc.com.au/contact-us

Whatsapp: +61 3 9862 1345

Email: OSHC@medibank.com.au

Nearest Medibank store: refer to Medibank website Find a Medibank Store | Medibank

It’s your responsibility to ensure your health cover is current for the full length of your visa. If you apply for a new student visa and need to extend your OSHC, you can contact your current health insurance provider directly, or contact our preferred provider Medibank to get a quote and easily switch your OSHC.

If you’re in Australia on a student visa from the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Italy or New Zealand, you can also apply for Medicare under your country's Reciprocal Health Care Agreements. Students from Norway, Finland, Malta and the Republic of Ireland are not covered by the agreements with those countries.

Any Medicare coverage you are entitled to under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement will be in addition to OSHC. Having reciprocal access to Medicare does not exempt you from needing to take out OSHC.

If you withdraw or complete your studies early, depart Australia or change visa status, contact your OSHC provider to see if you’re eligible to receive a partial refund of any fees paid in advance. If you’re now a temporary or permanent resident visa holder and therefore no longer require OSHC, you will need to provide your new visa information to the Medibank team.

If you choose to transfer your cover to Medibank from any other Australian OSHC insurer, your period of membership will count towards any waiting periods you may need to serve with Medibank OSHC. 

If you transfer to Medibank OSHC, you will simply need to provide proof of your previous OSHC (transfer certificate). Any waiting periods you have already served with your previous insurer will transfer across to your Medibank OSHC. 

If your cover with your last insurer has lapsed or expired, other conditions apply. For more information, contact Medibank.

A 24/7 Student Health and Support helpline is available for all ACU international students, both onshore and offshore.

Tel: 1800 887 283 (from Australia) OR +61 3 9862 1095 (from outside Australia).

You can get help with:

  • Medical assistance from a registered nurse
  • Counselling services
  • Emergency legal advice
  • Travel document assistance
  • Health system guide
  • Family and friends message service
  • Living in Australia support
  • Interpreter service

Are you moving from a student visa to a graduate visa? If so, you may need to switch from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to an Overseas Workers Cover policy.

To support this transition, our health insurance partner, Medibank, is offering 6 weeks free if you take out eligible Medibank Overseas Workers Cover. This offer is for current Medibank Comprehensive OSHC members only.

Access the Medibank page and use the promo code GRAD6.

While OSHC is only required for student visa holders, having appropriate health insurance is strongly recommended (and often a visa requirement) when travelling on a different type of temporary visa.

If you or your family are visiting, working, or on a working holiday in Australia, our health insurance partner Medibank offers a range of health insurance options. For more details, please contact Medibank directly.

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