Australia has a special system of health cover for international students and it is generally known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). All international students except students from Sweden and Norway are required to have OSHC.

Having OSHC is a condition of your student visa for the total duration of your study time in Australia. This is important as international students are not be covered by Australia’s national health program, which is called ‘Medicare’.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides affordable health cover designed to cover the medical and hospital services you may need while in Australia.

There are many OSHC providers in Australia and your university or institution will recommend a provider to you when you apply as most universities have chosen a preferred provider.

OSHC is available for singles or for families who may be traveling with you to Australia. Please note, that it is important that you indicate to your institution, what level of cover you require.

The issuing of OSHC is regulated by the Australian Government. Only Australian health funds that have signed a Deed with the Australian Government can provide OSHC.

The four providers of OSHC in Australia are:

• 1) Medibank Private
• 2) Lysaght sub-contracting to OSHC Worldcare
• 3) BUPA Australia
• 4) OSHC, sub-contracting to Australian Health Management Group - 
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