It covers a wide range of medical services for Australian residents, including:

• Free treatment in public hospitals
• Subsidized visits to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists
• A portion of the cost of prescription medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

However, this coverage is not extended to most international visitors, making it crucial for foreign nationals to secure private health insurance while in Australia.

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What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a form of health insurance specifically designed for international students studying in Australia. It is mandatory for international students as part of their visa requirements (subclass 500). The primary goal of OSHC is to help international students access affordable healthcare services while studying in Australia, including visits to doctors, hospital stays, and some prescription medications.

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What Does OSHC Cover?

OSHC covers a broad range of healthcare services that an international student might need during their stay in Australia. While the specifics may vary between providers, most OSHC policies typically include:

• Medical services
  ‍OSHC covers a portion of the costs for visits to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists.
• Hospital treatment
  ‍Coverage for treatment as an in-patient in public or private hospitals, including accommodation and surgery.
• Prescription medication
  ‍OSHC helps pay for certain prescription medicines, although there is usually a limit on how much you can claim.
• Emergency ambulance services
  ‍Some OSHC policies include coverage for emergency ambulance transport.

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What OSHC Doesn't Cover

While OSHC provides a reasonable level of coverage, there are several exclusions and limitations that international students should be aware of:

• Dental services: Routine dental care is typically not covered under OSHC policies.
• Optical services: Eye care, including glasses and contact lenses, is usually not included.
• Physiotherapy and other allied health services: Services like physiotherapy, chiropractic, and podiatry may not be covered unless additional coverage is purchased.

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OSHC Providers in Australia

Several private insurers offer OSHC policies, including well-known providers such as:

• Medibank
• Bupa
• Allianz Care
• AHM Health Insurance
• NIB Health Funds

These providers offer different plans and levels of coverage, so it's essential for students to compare policies to find the one that best suits their needs.

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Why OSHC Is Mandatory for International Students

The Australian government mandates OSHC for all international students as part of their visa conditions. This requirement ensures that students have access to healthcare during their stay and helps to prevent financial strain due to unexpected medical costs. Without OSHC, international students may face visa issues or substantial out-of-pocket expenses if they need medical treatment.

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What is Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)?

Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance designed for international visitors who are not eligible for Medicare and are not studying in Australia. This includes people on work visas, business visas, or short-term visitors. OVHC ensures that these individuals can access healthcare services during their stay without facing excessive medical bills.

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Types of OVHC

OVHC is available in several different forms, depending on the type of visa held and the level of coverage required. Broadly speaking, there are two main categories of OVHC policies:

• Basic cover
  ‍This includes essential services like hospital treatment and emergency medical assistance.
• Comprehensive cover
  ‍This type of plan includes additional services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, and some prescription medications.

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What Does OVHC Cover?

The coverage offered by OVHC is similar to OSHC, but it caters to a broader audience. Standard OVHC policies typically include:

• Hospital treatment: Coverage for treatment in both public and private hospitals.
• Medical services: A portion of the costs for GP consultations and specialist services.
• Prescription medication: Coverage for some prescribed medications, usually with a cap on annual claims.
• Ambulance services: Emergency ambulance transportation is often included.

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Some OVHC policies also offer coverage for services that are generally excluded from OSHC, such as:

• Dental care
• Optical services
• Physiotherapy and other allied health services

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Who Needs OVHC?

OVHC is generally required for international visitors on visas like:

• Temporary work (skilled) visa (subclass 482)
• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
• Visitor visas (subclass 600)

OVHC is not mandatory for all visa holders, but it is highly recommended. Healthcare in Australia can be expensive without insurance, especially for treatments like surgery or hospital stays.

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OVHC Providers in Australia

Just like OSHC, several private insurers offer OVHC policies tailored to different needs. Some of the leading providers include:

• Medibank
• Bupa
• nib Health Funds
• Australian Unity
• HCF

These insurers provide a variety of plans that cater to visitors with different requirements and budgets. It’s important for visitors to choose a plan that meets their specific needs based on the length of their stay and anticipated healthcare requirements.

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OSHC vs. OVHC: Key Differences

While both OSHC and OVHC serve similar purposes—ensuring that international visitors have access to healthcare while in Australia—there are key differences:

• Target Audience
  ‍OSHC is mandatory for international students, whereas OVHC is designed for visitors on other types of visas, such as workers and tourists.
• Mandatory Nature
  ‍OSHC is compulsory for student visa holders, but OVHC is optional for most other visa categories (except certain work visas).
• Coverage Level
  ‍OVHC policies may offer more comprehensive coverage, including dental, optical, and allied health services, depending on the plan selected.

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Health insurance is crucial for international students and visitors in Australia. With healthcare costs potentially high, both OSHC and OVHC provide much-needed financial protection and peace of mind.

• If you’re an international student, OSHC is mandatory and provides a broad range of basic healthcare services during your studies.
• For other visitors, OVHC is a wise investment to ensure you’re covered for unexpected medical expenses, regardless of the duration of your stay.

When selecting health insurance, it’s essential to compare providers and policies to ensure you get the right level of coverage for your needs. By doing so, you can focus on enjoying your time in Australia without worrying about healthcare costs.