OSHC

OSHC student health cover

On a student visa (subclass 500) you must hold OSHC for your whole stay under visa condition 8501, and a partner or children who come with you must be on the policy. We recommend two insurers, Bupa and Allianz Care, and Bupa through us is 92% of the official price.

WHAT'S COVERED

What OSHC covers

The government sets the minimum for every OSHC policy, so these are the same everywhere:

Doctors

GP visits at 100% of the government fee (MBS); specialists at 85% or more.

Hospital and surgery

Treatment, surgery and accommodation in public and partner private hospitals, mostly in full.

Ambulance

Emergency ambulance transport and treatment, 100%.

Medicines and tests

Pathology and X-rays; prescription medicines up to $50 per item after the PBS co-payment, with a yearly limit.

The two insurers differ mainly in specialist rebates, provider networks, extras, waiting periods and service. Basic OSHC doesn't include dental or optical.

PRICES

Prices at a glance

From the official rate cards, priced by whole months. For Bupa the struck-out figure is the list price and the second is what you pay through Auland (92%); Allianz is at list price. Enter your dates on the order page for the exact figure.

Policy lengthSingleTwo adultsOne adult with childrenTwo adults with children
6 monthsBupa $357 $329Allianz $334Bupa $2,764 $2,543Allianz $2,914Bupa $2,764 $2,543Allianz $2,914Bupa $6,846 $6,299Allianz $5,181
12 monthsBupa $713 $656Allianz $665Bupa $5,528 $5,086Allianz $5,351Bupa $5,528 $5,086Allianz $5,351Bupa $13,692 $12,597Allianz $9,515
18 monthsBupa $1,087 $1,001Allianz $1,008Bupa $8,696 $8,001Allianz $7,928Bupa $8,696 $8,001Allianz $7,928Bupa $24,455 $22,499Allianz $14,170
24 monthsBupa $1,449 $1,334Allianz $1,350Bupa $11,594 $10,667Allianz $10,503Bupa $11,594 $10,667Allianz $10,503Bupa $32,607 $29,999Allianz $18,692
36 monthsBupa $2,173 $2,000Allianz $2,126Bupa $17,391 $16,000Allianz $15,393Bupa $17,391 $16,000Allianz $15,393Bupa $48,910 $44,998Allianz $27,516

Bupa rates effective 2026-06-30, Allianz rates effective 2026-07-01; the insurer's current rates apply. Part months count as a full month.

BUPA VS ALLIANZ CARE

Bupa or Allianz Care: what's different

Checked line by line against both insurers' official materials.

BupaAllianz Care
PlansBupa OSHC, as single, couple or family coverTwo levels, OSHC Essentials and OSHC Standard; this page follows the official Standard flyer
Doctor visitsGPs and specialists, in or out of hospital, up to 100% of MBSGPs at 100% of MBS; specialists (out of hospital) at 85% of MBS
Blood tests and X-raysOut-of-hospital pathology and radiology covered; most Medicare-approved tests in hospital at the full MBS fee85% of MBS
HospitalMost hospital, accommodation and theatre costs covered at Members First, Network and public hospitals; a private room where availableHospital treatment and accommodation at 100% of insured costs, including rehab, psychiatric care, pregnancy and birth, and cancer treatment
Prescription medicinesUp to A$50 per item after the PBS co-payment; yearly limit A$300 single, A$600 couple or familyThe difference above the PBS co-payment, up to A$50 per medicine or vaccine, with a yearly limit; approved vaccines included
AmbulanceUnlimited emergency transport and on-site treatment by approved providers100% of the cost of transport by or arranged through an approved ambulance service
Waiting periods12 months for pre-existing conditions and for pregnancy (check Bupa's latest terms for the rule on policies of 2 years or more); none for accidents or emergency treatment. Starts from your arrival or cover start date, whichever is later12 months for pre-existing conditions; 12 months for pregnancy, none if the policy runs over 2 years; none for GPs, mental illness or emergency treatment. Starts from your arrival or visa grant date, whichever is later
Mental health wait2 months for pre-existing psychiatric conditions in the terms, currently not applied; outpatient mental health coveredNo wait for care or treatment of mental illness
Not coveredAssisted reproduction (such as IVF), cosmetic surgery, experimental treatment, and procedures Medicare doesn't recogniseAssisted reproduction (such as IVF), and cosmetic procedures including cosmetic dental
Dental, optical, physioNot in base OSHC; optional OSHC Extras, used only at Members First providers, with a 2-month initial wait (12 months for major dental)Not in base OSHC; ask about separate add-ons
Network and out-of-pocket gapMembers First hospitals and direct-billing doctors; the Medical Gap Scheme caps each doctor's in-hospital gap at A$500; no out-of-pocket for specialist treatment at Members First day hospitals (not in the NT)Hundreds of direct-billing providers across Australia
Online doctorBlua online doctor, 24/7, fee covered in fullDoctors on Demand telehealth, 24/7 with no gap; referrals, medical certificates and prescriptions
24/7 help and support24-hour Student Advice Line 1300 884 235 in over a hundred languages, including help with housing, legal and personal safety questions; customer line 1800 888 94224/7 emergency line 1800 814 781; Sonder 24/7 safety, medical and mental health support by app, chat, phone or in person, available in Chinese
App and claimsmyBupa: claim online, get an estimate before treatment, check remaining limits, renew; plus stores and WhatsApp supportAllianz MyHealth app: view your policy, claim online, track claims, call emergency services
CancellingRefunds if your visa is refused, you don't come, or you finish early and go home (proof needed)Per Allianz Care's terms, sent with your quote

Which one?

Bupa may suit you better if you:

Want to add dental, optical or physio; Like having a store to walk into, or prefer WhatsApp; Want specialist visits paid at 100% of MBS too

Allianz Care may suit you better if you:

Care about mental health support with no wait; Want a safety and wellbeing app in Chinese (Sonder); Prefer a simple choice between two levels, Essentials and Standard

Last checked 27 October 2026 against Bupa's and Allianz Care's official OSHC materials. Policy details change, so the insurer's website has the final word.

POLICY TYPES

Who's coming with you

Single

Just you. Order online; Bupa at 92%.

Couple

You and your spouse or de facto partner.

Single parent

You and your children under 18.

Family

You, your partner and your children.

Dependants on your student visa must be on the same policy as you. Choose the matching type on the form and add your family members' names and dates of birth in the notes.

Buying through Auland

  1. 01

    Confirm your policy dates with the calculator

  2. 02

    Read the comparison and choose

  3. 03

    Fill in your details and pay by WeChat, Alipay or card

  4. 04

    We buy the policy for you and it lands in your inbox

Ready?

Bupa OSHC at 92% of the list price, Allianz at list price. Enter your dates to see the price.