OSHC Australia 2026 –
Best Price Student
Health Cover
Compare all 5 approved OSHC providers in one place. Buy through Guide to Heights and pay less than your university price — save up to $300. WhatsApp us today to purchase immediately.
Buy through G2H — save up to $300!
6 Reasons to Buy OSHC Through Guide to Heights
We offer the same government-approved OSHC — at better prices, with expert guidance included.
Lower Cost — Save Up to $300
By comparing all 5 providers in one place, students save an average of $300 compared to buying OSHC through their university. Exact same cover, lower price.
Meets Visa Condition 8501
All policies we offer are approved by the Australian Government and fully satisfy the mandatory OSHC requirement for Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Certificate in Minutes
In most cases your OSHC certificate is issued within minutes of purchase. We send it out to you by email within 24 hours — no university delays.
Full Refund if Visa is Rejected
If your Australian student visa is refused, you are entitled to a full refund of your OSHC premium. nib, Allianz, and Bupa offer refunds with no cancellation fees.
India & GCC Students — We Help Both
Whether you are in Kerala, anywhere in India, or in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or Bahrain — our team processes your OSHC purchase and sends the certificate to you directly.
Multilingual Expert Support
Our QEAC certified team speaks Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and English. We explain what every feature means for your specific course and health needs — before you buy.
OSHC Provider Comparison 2026
Compare all government-approved OSHC providers on price, coverage, medicines, waiting periods, and extra features. WhatsApp us to purchase any provider instantly.
| Guide to Heights Exclusive Offer |
 Basic Plan
$1,273/yr
⭐ Cheapest
G2H Exclusive Offer
Buy via WhatsApp
|
 Basic Plan
$1,282/yr
G2H Exclusive Offer
Buy via WhatsApp
|
 Basic Plan
$1,350/yr
G2H Exclusive Offer
Buy via WhatsApp
|
 Basic Plan
$1,368/yr
G2H Exclusive Offer
Buy via WhatsApp
|
 Basic Plan
$1,419/yr
🏆 Best Overall
G2H Exclusive Offer
Buy via WhatsApp
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| 🛂 Visa Compliance | |||||
| Meets Australian Government Visa Requirements | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accepted for Student Visa (Subclass 500) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certificate issued in minutes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🏥 In-Hospital Treatment | |||||
| Accommodation in Hospital | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accident & Emergency Services | Public & Agreement hospitalsFully covered | All hospitals | Public & AgreementFully covered | All hospitals | Public & AgreementMembers First hospitals |
| Emergency Ambulance | ✓100% covered | ✓All hospitals | ✓ | ✓Unlimited | ✓Unlimited |
| Surgically Implanted Prosthesis | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🏘️ Out of Hospital Treatment | |||||
| Doctor Services (GP) | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS |
| Standard GP Consultation | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 100% MBS |
| Telehealth / Online Doctor | 100% MBS | 100% MBS | 85% MBS | 100% MBS16 years+ only | 100% MBS ★Bupa Blua — free online GP |
| Specialist Visits | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 100% MBS ★ |
| Pathology & X-rays | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 85% MBS | 100% MBS ★ |
| 💊 Prescription Medicines (PBS co-payment applies) | |||||
| Your co-payment per item | $31.60 | $31.60 | $31.60 | $30.00 ★ | $31.60 |
| Max insurer pays per item (after co-pay) | $50 / item | $50 / item | $50 / item | $70 / item ★ | $50 / item |
| Annual person limit | $500 / yr | $500 / yr | $500 / yr | $500 / yr | $500 / yr |
| Annual family limit | $1,000 / yr | $1,000 / yr | $1,000 / yr | $1,000 / yr | $1,000 / yr |
| ⏳ Waiting Periods | |||||
| Pre-existing Psychiatric / Mental Health | 2 months | 2 months | 0 months ★ | 0 months ★ | 2 monthsWaived on request |
| Pre-existing Medical Conditions | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Obstetrics / Pregnancy | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| ⭐ Extra Features | |||||
| Refund Policy | No fees ★ | Limited fees may apply | No fees ★ | Limited fees may apply | No fees ★ |
| 24-Hour Support Services | 24-hr health support line | 24-hr health & emergency + virtual doctor | 24-hr in-person safety + virtual doctor | 24-hr health & emergency + virtual doctor | 24-hr student health & support line |
| Dental & Optical Extras | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Optional add-on |
Understanding Your OSHC Coverage
Most students don't fully understand what OSHC covers until they're sick in Australia. Read this before you buy.
What is a Standard GP Consultation?
A GP (General Practitioner) is a regular doctor — your first point of contact when you are sick in Australia. With OSHC, all providers cover 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for a GP visit.
This means your visit to a bulk-billing GP is fully covered. If the doctor charges above the MBS rate (a "gap fee"), you may need to pay the difference. Most GPs near universities bulk-bill international students.
- ✓Visit for illness, injury, or a medical certificate
- ✓Prescriptions written by the GP are also claimable
- ✓Telehealth / online consultations — covered by most providers
- ✓Specialist referrals covered at 85% MBS (100% with Bupa)
What is Out of Hospital Treatment?
Out of hospital treatment refers to all medical services you receive outside of a hospital — such as visiting a GP clinic, a specialist's private office, or getting blood tests or X-rays at a pathology lab.
All OSHC providers cover out-of-hospital treatment at 100% MBS for GPs and 85% MBS for specialists. Bupa covers specialists at 100% MBS — making it the best option if you expect to need specialist care.
- ✓GP consultations (in-clinic and telehealth)
- ✓Specialist visits (cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.)
- ✓Blood tests, pathology, and X-rays
- ✓Ultrasounds and diagnostic imaging
Prescription Medicines — How It Works
When your GP prescribes a medicine, OSHC covers part of the cost — but you must pay a co-payment first before the insurer contributes.
The co-payment is currently $31.60 for all providers except Medibank which is $30.00. After your co-payment, the insurer pays up to their maximum per-item limit (typically $50, or $70 with Medibank). You have an annual person limit of $500.
What is MBS? — Medicare Benefits Schedule
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is an official list set by the Australian Government that defines the standard fee for every medical service. OSHC providers pay a percentage of this MBS rate.
- ✓100% MBS = full government rate — you pay nothing (at bulk-billing clinics)
- ✓85% MBS = you pay the 15% gap between the MBS rate and the insurer's contribution
- ✓GP visits: all providers pay 100% MBS
- ✓Specialist visits: 85% MBS for most, 100% for Bupa
- ✓Pathology and X-rays: 85% MBS for most, 100% for Bupa
Prescription Medicines — What Each Provider Pays
When claiming for a prescription medicine, you must pay a co-payment first before the insurer contributes. This table shows exactly what you pay and what the insurer pays for each provider.
| Cost Breakdown | nib | ahm | Allianz | Medibank ★ | Bupa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your co-payment per item | $31.60 | $31.60 | $31.60 | $30.00 ★ | $31.60 |
| Max insurer pays per item (after co-pay) | $50 | $50 | $50 | $70 ★ | $50 |
| Annual limit per person | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Annual family limit | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Does OSHC Cover Vaccinations?
Vaccines Required for Australian Study — Pay in India First
These vaccines are commonly required by Australian universities for healthcare, nursing, childcare, and social work courses. Get them in India before departure — typically 60–80% cheaper.
💡 Money-Saving Tip — Get Vaccines in India
Vaccination costs in India are typically 60–80% cheaper than in Australia. A full Hepatitis B series costs approximately ₹600–₹1,000 in India vs AUD 150–200 in Australia.
- ✓Ask your university for the full vaccination requirement list before departure
- ✓Visit a travel health clinic in Kerala for advice
- ✓Keep all vaccination records in English — you'll need to show them in Australia
- ✓Hepatitis B blood test (serology) is also required to prove immunity — do this in India
- ✓Guide to Heights Pre-Departure Session covers vaccination planning in detail
Waiting Periods — What They Mean
A waiting period is the time you must wait after your OSHC policy starts before you can claim for certain conditions. During this period you are still covered for acute (sudden) illnesses and emergencies — but not for pre-existing or specific conditions listed below.
OSHC Refund Policy — What Happens if Your Visa is Rejected?
Many students worry about paying for OSHC before knowing their visa outcome. The good news is that if your Australian student visa is refused, you are entitled to a full refund of your unused OSHC premium — in most cases with no cancellation fees.
nib OSHC — Full Refund, No Fees
nib offers a refund with no cancellation fees if your visa is refused. Submit your visa refusal letter and receive a full refund of the unused period.
ahm OSHC — Refund (Limited Fees May Apply)
ahm provides a refund for visa refusals, though limited cancellation fees may be deducted. Contact ahm directly with your refusal notice.
Allianz Care — Full Refund, No Fees
Allianz Care offers a refund with no fees if your visa is refused before departure. Submit proof of visa refusal to initiate the claim.
Medibank — Refund (Limited Fees May Apply)
Medibank provides refunds for visa refusal situations, but limited administrative fees may apply. Contact Medibank with your visa refusal notice.
Bupa — Full Refund, No Fees
Bupa offers a full refund with no cancellation fees if your Australian student visa is refused. This is one of the most student-friendly refund policies available. Guide to Heights can assist you with the Bupa refund process if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions — OSHC Australia 2026
Get the Best OSHC Price — WhatsApp Us Today
Guide to Heights helps Indian and GCC students buy OSHC at the best price — cheaper than your university. Our certified team will compare all 5 providers, recommend the right one for your health needs, and send your certificate within minutes of purchase. Completely free guidance.