How Long Do You Need to Hold OSHC in Australia?
How Long Do You Need to Hold OSHC in Australia?
OSHC Duration Must Cover Visa Stay Period
The Australian Government mandates that all Subclass 500 student visa holders must maintain continuous OSHC coverage from:
🗓️ The date you arrive in Australia (or visa grant date)
to
🗓️ The day you leave Australia or your visa expires—whichever comes first
So, even if your university term starts in February, your OSHC must begin from the day you land in Australia. Likewise, if your course ends in December but your visa expires in February, you still need OSHC until February.
The Rule of Thumb for OSHC Validity
Here’s a quick guide used by most education providers and agents:
| Course Duration | Required OSHC Coverage |
|---|---|
| <10 months, ending Dec | Visa usually granted until March 15 next year |
| >10 months | Visa granted 2 months beyond course end date |
| >10 months (ending Nov-Dec) | Visa granted until March 15 following year |
📌 Important: Always double-check your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and match your OSHC to that timeframe + the extra visa buffer period.
Can You Cancel OSHC Early If You Finish Your Course?
Yes, but it depends. If you complete your studies early and leave Australia, you may apply for a refund for the unused months of OSHC. But:
You must show proof you’ve left the country
Your visa is no longer valid
You haven’t made any claims in the period you’re canceling
Each provider has their own refund policies, so check the fine print or contact them directly.
What Happens If You Let Your OSHC Lapse?
Letting your OSHC policy expire before your visa ends is a big no-no. Here's why:
You’ll be non-compliant with visa condition 8501
It could lead to visa cancellation
You may face issues during visa renewal or future applications
You might be denied medical treatment or charged full fees without coverage
⚠️ Pro tip: Set up calendar reminders or use the insurer’s mobile app for auto-renewals and expiry alerts.
Extending OSHC for Visa Extensions or Further Studies
Planning to:
Apply for a Graduate Visa (485)?
Extend your student visa for more courses?
Stay back for research or internships?
Then you’ll need to extend your OSHC too. Just contact your current provider and request a policy extension or get a fresh quote. Make sure there’s no gap in coverage.
List of OSHC Providers That Offer Flexible Payment Options
If you’re asking, “Can I pay OSHC monthly in Australia?”, the answer depends heavily on the provider you choose. While most traditional OSHC policies require upfront, full payment, a growing number of providers and education agents now offer flexible OSHC payment plans. Below is a breakdown of providers that either directly or indirectly support monthly, quarterly, or instalment-based OSHC payments.
1. AHM OSHC (Australian Health Management)
✅ Payment Plan Availability: Mostly upfront, but some education agents can arrange instalment options.
💡 Key Benefit: Affordable pricing and mobile app for easy claim management.
🌐 Website: www.ahmoshc.com.au
2. Allianz Care Australia
✅ Payment Flexibility: Offers online calculator and flexible durations; monthly payments available via certain education agents.
💡 Key Feature: Partnerships with many universities, fast claim approvals.
🌐 Website: www.allianzcare.com.au
3. BUPA Australia
❌ Payment Requirement: Requires full payment for the visa duration, no direct monthly plans.
🟡 Workaround: Some registered education agents in Australia allow BUPA payments in instalments.
🌐 Website: www.bupa.com.au
4. Medibank
❌ Direct Monthly Payment: Not offered by Medibank.
🟢 Agent-Supported Option: Third-party platforms like OSHC Australia and IDP Education may support flexible options for Medibank OSHC.
🌐 Website: www.medibank.com.au
5. NIB OSHC
✅ Flexibility: Widely known for agent-facilitated flexible payment structures.
🧾 Monthly/Quarterly Plans: Available through partner agencies like GetMyPolicy or OSHCstudents.com.
🌐 Website: www.nib.com.au
6. CBHS International Health
✅ Unique Offering: Directly supports quarterly payment options through select universities and agents.
🧰 Bonus: Covers mental health services and optical/dental add-ons.
🌐 Website: www.cbhsinternationalhealth.com.au
Tips to Get Monthly Payment Plans Through OSHC Agents
If you're struggling to find direct monthly OSHC from the providers above, try these platforms and agencies:
| Platform/Agency | Payment Plan Type | Website |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC Australia | Monthly/Quarterly | oshcaustralia.com.au |
| GetMyPolicy.online | Pay-as-you-go options | getmypolicy.online |
| IDP Education | Deferred payment with uni enrolment | idp.com |
| Edvoy | Full OSHC assistance + payment advice | edvoy.com |
🧠 Insider Tip: Always ensure your OSHC meets visa condition 8501, regardless of how you pay. If your payment is delayed, and coverage lapses, it could jeopardize your visa.
How to Compare OSHC Providers Easily
Instead of hopping from website to website, use a comparison tool to evaluate OSHC based on your budget and coverage needs. Popular platforms include:
They allow filtering based on:
Course length
Coverage amount
Provider name
Price per month
🔗 References
Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs
Details visa requirements for international students, including the need to maintain valid OSHC at all times.
📎 https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Allianz Care Australia – OSHC for Students
Offers insights into OSHC plans, durations, and how to purchase coverage depending on visa requirements.
📎 https://www.allianzcare.com.au/en/student-visa-oshc.htmlOSHC Australia – Compare OSHC Policies
Allows international students to compare policies from different providers and learn about payment options including monthly plans through agents.
📎 https://www.oshcaustralia.com.au/