Overseas Student Health Cover
OSHC is usually required for Student visa holders and accompanying family members for the relevant period of stay.
OSHCStudent visaSubclass 500
Ask for OSHC link
OSHC and OVHC Health Insurance
Compare OSHC and OVHC for overseas students, graduates, temporary workers, visitors and sponsored parents, then check the policy dates and benefits before purchase.
Visa-specific guidance Reviewed 21 July 2026 Official sources
Start with the visa
OSHC vs OVHC at a glance
The policy name alone does not prove that cover satisfies a visa requirement. Match the product, insured people and dates to the current application and visa conditions.
| Question | OSHC | OVHC |
|---|---|---|
| Usually used by | Student visa 500 holders and accompanying family | Visitors, graduates, temporary workers and some sponsored parents |
| Visa connection | Student visa applicants generally must hold approved OSHC for the relevant stay, subject to limited exceptions | Can help meet adequate-health-insurance requirements or manage costs where Medicare is unavailable |
| Common page | OSHC guide | OVHC guide |
| Check before purchase | Approved provider, start and end dates, family composition, waiting periods and exclusions | Visa subclass and condition, Medicare position, hospital and outpatient benefits, waiting periods, exclusions and excess |
Home Affairs notes that visitors are generally responsible for their Australian healthcare costs and that not every OVHC product provides comprehensive cover. Consider whether cover above the minimum is appropriate.
Choose the right cover for your visa
Health insurance requirements depend on the visa subclass, visa condition and applicant circumstances. Always check the visa requirements before purchase.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover
OVHC can help temporary visa holders meet health cover expectations and manage medical costs while in Australia.
OVHCVisitorsTemporary visas
Ask for OVHC link
Work Visa Health Cover
Some temporary work visa applicants may need evidence of adequate health insurance before visa grant.
4828501Temporary work
Ask for work visa cover
Provider links
Use the provider links below to compare or purchase cover that matches the visa holder's circumstances.
Bupa
Use the Nestway Bupa provider link for visitor or temporary visa health cover. Student OSHC can be arranged through Nestway after the student details are confirmed.
Open Bupa linkAllianz Care Australia
Compare or purchase Allianz cover using the Nestway links below. Choose the product that matches the visa holder's circumstances.
Compare before purchase
Clients should review product documents, waiting periods, exclusions, policy dates and family cover before purchasing insurance.
OSHC and OVHC guides
Use the guide that matches the visa holder's situation before choosing a provider link.
OSHC for student visas
Overseas Student Health Cover information for subclass 500 applicants and student family members.
OSHCStudent visa
Read OSHC guide
OVHC for temporary visa holders
Overseas Visitor Health Cover information for visitors, graduates and temporary workers.
OVHCTemporary visas
Read OVHC guide
485 and work visa cover
Health cover pages for 485 graduate visa and 482 Skills in Demand visa applicants.
4854828501
Compare visa cover pages
Health cover
Health cover information from Seven Hills
Compare OSHC and OVHC options and policy timing at our Seven Hills office or by phone or video. Provider terms still need to be checked before purchase.
What to check before buying
Insurance is separate from migration advice. The visa requirement, policy period and applicant details should still be checked carefully.
- Visa subclass and any health insurance condition.
- Start date, end date and whether family members are included.
- Waiting periods, exclusions, hospital cover and extras.
- Whether OSHC or OVHC is the correct product for the visa.
Official sources
- Home Affairs adequate health insurance
- Home Affairs student visa length of stay and OSHC
- Australian Government PrivateHealth.gov.au
General information only. Nestway does not decide insurance claims or policy benefits. Read the provider's product documents before purchase.
OSHC and OVHC questions
These are general starting points; the current visa and policy documents control the answer.
Does a 485 visa need OVHC?
Temporary Graduate visas can be subject to condition 8501 requiring adequate health insurance. Check the application requirements, grant conditions and policy dates for every applicant.
Does a 482 visa need health cover?
Subclass 482 is among the visas that can be subject to condition 8501. Medicare eligibility, reciprocal arrangements and the private policy should be checked against the current requirement.
Who manages the policy?
Nestway provides information and referral links. The insurer issues and administers the policy, benefits and claims. Read the provider's product documents before purchase.
Need the correct insurance link?
Send your visa subclass and applicant details so Nestway can direct you to the right provider link.