Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The Australian Government requires all international students to:
- purchase OSHC in order to be granted a student visa;
- be covered by OSHC for the length of their student visa;
- purchase OSHC from a registered health provider, approved by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; and
- pay OSHC before they leave home that will cover them from when they arrive in Australia.
The
Department of Home Affairs provides detailed information about the health insurance requirements of the Australian Government.
Where to purchase OSHC
You must purchase OSHC from a government-approved provider. You should compare alternative OSHC providers to find one that suits your budget and needs.
The following private health insurers provide OSHC products and policies for overseas students:
Details and costs of policies, including what an OSHC policy will and won’t cover, and any waiting periods that may apply to certain treatment types, can be obtained by contacting each insurer directly.
BUPA OSHC
 | TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) has a preferred provider arrangement with Bupa. TIWA receives an administration fee from Bupa. Students may obtain Overseas Student Health Cover from the provider of their choice. |
If you wish to use another provider, you will need to make your own payment arrangements and show evidence of the payment to the Department of Home Affairs when you apply for your visa.
OSHC is offered by a number of different providers. If you want to obtain health cover from another provider, please visit the
Australian Government's Department of Health website to view the available options.
Services covered by OSHC
You are strongly encouraged to read the relevant health cover page documents for information regarding what is and is not covered.
OSHC providers allow you to claim 100 per cent of the government set fee for a standard medical consultation.
OSHC covers:
- visits to the doctor;
- public hospital stay;
- ambulance services (when hospital admission is necessary); and
- some prescription medicines.
OSHC does not cover:
- dental treatment;
- optical treatment; and
- physiotherapy.
We strongly recommend you take out additional private health cover to cover these additional services.
Most standard OSHC premiums do not cover treatment for pre-existing disability or medical conditions during the first 18 months of membership. If you have disabilities or medical conditions you may have to obtain additional health insurance or have extra funds available to cover your medical expenses.
Bupa Services
You can find useful information regarding Bupa services below:
Health cover card
If you have arranged OSHC through TIWA you will receive information about your OSHC card at your
TAFE college's orientation session.
After hours emergency doctors service
Students that have their health care with Bupa can call the National Doctors Service on 137 425 for medical emergencies after 4pm.
Campus visit schedule
You can visit a Bupa representative at your TAFE college.
View the 2018 Campus Visit Schedule
Health cover costs
The following table gives you a guide as to the cost of cover effective from 17 December 2018 (subject to change).
| Months duration |
 Single policy* |
 Couples policy+ |
Family policy# |
| 6 | $298 | $1,060 | $1,546 |
| 12 | $596 | $2,120 | $3,091 |
| 18 | $921 | $3,196 | $4,806 |
| 24 | $1,228 | $4,261 | $6,408 |
| 30 | $1,535 | $5,327 | $8,010 |
| 36 | $1,842 | $6,392 | $9,611 |
* Single - Cover for you only.
+ Couples - Cover for you and your partner as listed on your dependant visa.
# Family - Cover for you, your partner and your children under 18 years of age if they live with you in Australia and are listed on your dependant visa.
Useful links
- To find out more about OSHC you can download this helpful factsheet produced by the Department of Home Affairs.