Australia Student Health Insurance (OSHC) Cost Comparison: Benefits and Top Providers

Are you an international student applying for the Australian student visa (Subclass 500)? Then. You need to get an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It is mandatory for international students applying for an Australian student visa for the duration of their studies. The insurance will help you to cover your medical and hospital bills while in Australia. Therefore, you need to ensure that you renew it on time. You must get this insurance from a recognised provider as well. This blog covers everything you need to know about the Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison. 

Benefits of Getting an Australia Student Health Insurance (OSHC)

The Australian government requires international students to get an OSHC certificate to ensure that they can take care of their medical expenses and won’t rely on public funds for support. Hence, OHSC is mandatory for all applicants. There are penalties and benefits for studying in Australia. To study, you need health insurance. The following are the benefits of Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison, and getting the insurance.

1. Covers the hospital and medical treatment while in Australia 
2. Covers the cost of ambulance service 
3. Limited benefits for pharmaceuticals (limited to AUD 50 per pharmaceutical item to a maximum of AUD 300 a year for single membership (AUD 600 for a family membership).
4. You can visit a GP for consultation. The insurance covers 100% of the Medicare Benefits Scheme fee.
5. Claim up to 85% of the MBS fees for specialist visits, such as x-rays of blood work,
6. 100% medical coverage for accidents and emergencies. Every insurance agency has a tie-up with private hospitals.
7. Cover your emergency on-the-spot treatment fees

What does Australia Student Health insurance (OSHC) not cover?

For proper Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison, you must know what the expenses an insurance generally will not cover:

1. It does not cover your pay for your general treatment (ancillary, or extras cover) such as dental, optical or physiotherapy. To get such benefits, you need to take the Extras OSHC provided by an OSHC provider.
2. Only limited benefits are provided for pharmaceutical items 
3. You can face significant costs for treatments related to oncology (cancer) treatment

Which OSHC is Best in Australia for International Students?

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has approved a few health insurance providers for Australian student health insurance (OSHC). You have to ensure that you get insurance from these recognised providers as they are reliable. You can visit their official website for Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison

S.No	Health Insurer	Insurer Website
1	ahm OSHC	www.ahmoshc.com
2	Allianz Care Australia (Peoplecare)	www.allianzcare.com.au/en/student-visa-oshc.html
3	Medibank Private	www.medibank.com.au
4	CBHS International Health	www.cbhsinternationalhealth.com.au/overseas-students-oshc
5	BUPA Australia	www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/oshc
6	NIB OSHC	www.nib.com.au

Only nationals of Sweden, Norway, and Belgium do not have to get an OHSC. This is because they have their national health insurance. 

What is the OSHC Average Cost?

The exact cost of the Australian student health insurance (OSHC) depends on the type of cover (single, dual family (student + one dependent), or multi-family (student + multiple dependents) the duration of the cover, the cost provider, and the level of coverage (For example, some agencies offer extra coverage that you can take up. These extras tend to increase the overall cost. For example, cost of dental, or specific opital services). The Australian student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison is provided below/

Duration (Months)	Single Cover (Approx. AUD)	Dual Family Cover (Approx. AUD)	Multi-Family Cover (Approx. AUD)
1	74	419	812
3	218	1,251	2,426
6	437	2,503	4,855
12	806	4,597	8,917
24	1,668	9,023	17,518
36	2,505	13,224	25,788
48	3,809	19,289	37,612
60	4,758	25,107	48,649

Note:  It is important to note that the OHSC costs are subject to change. The above amount is the estimated average. The OHSC payments are typically made annually.

Australia Student Health Insurance (OSHC) Cost Comparison: Government Approved Providers 

Here is an estimated cost comparison for a 12-month policy (as of April 2025): The data below is taken from OHSC Australia (official website). The data presented is for someone who wants to get Health insurance for the year 2026.

Insurance Provider	Single Cover (AUD)	Couple Cover (AUD)	Family Cover (AUD) (2 adults and 2 kids)
ahm OSHC	1,405.00	11,313.00	29,210.95
Allianz Care Australia	1,350.00	10,307.00	11,313.00
Medibank Private	1,368.00	10,698.00	28,802.00
CBHS International Health	1,305.16	10,074.00	10,698.00
BUPA Australia	1,200.85	9,328.00	9,328.00
NIB OSHC	1,282.00	9,900.00	10,307.00

To do a proper Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison, you can also visit the official website of OSHC Australia, enter your details, and then check the estimated cost provided by each health insurance. You can also check the benefits each insurance offers.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Australia: Updated Prices 

What is the Cheapest OSHC Insurance in Australia?

CBHS International Health offers the cheapest OSHC health insurance. This insurance agency for years have been known for providing reliable and affordable student health insurance. The CBHS International Health only charges 1,305.16 per person. However, if you are a family, you may have to pay more AUD 10,698.00. 

Apart from CBHS International Health, you can also check out BUPA Australia, which only charges AUD 1,200.85 per person, and  AUD 9,328.00 for a family.  BUPA offers the most affordable insurance for families. The NIB OSHC is also popular for its low charges. You will have to pay about 1,282.00 per year per person.

Also Read: Australia Work Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Can I Pay OSHC Monthly in Australia?

Now that you have learned about the Australia student health insurance (OSHC) cost comparison, let’s understand when you are required to pay the insurance fee. In general, international students are not allowed to pay for monthly insurance. 

You are required to pay the insurance for the entire duration of your course. Only then will you receive the Australian student visa. This payment must be made up front. This means you need to pay for the insurance and get the OHSC certificate for the same for student visa processing.

Certain providers may provide you with monthly health insurance. However, it is not a recommended pathway for international students. The Department of Home Affairs requires proof of full coverage. If you leave Australia earlier than planned, you may not become eligible for a refund of the unused portion of the health insurance. You must maintain continuous health insurance for the duration of your stay.

Also Read: Easiest Ways to Get PR in Australia (State-wise Guide & Tips)

FAQs

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