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Getting your 485 visa grant is a huge milestone.
But right after the celebration, many graduates ask the same question:
“Can I cancel my OSHC now?”
The short answer is:
Yes - but only after your replacement cover is active and there is no gap.
This is where people make expensive mistakes. They cancel OSHC too early, assume Medicare applies automatically, or forget that a 485 visa holder must maintain adequate health insurance for the visa period.
This 2026 guide explains exactly when to cancel OSHC, what to do first, and how to avoid coverage gaps when moving to 485 visa health insurance.
Once your 485 visa is granted, OSHC is usually no longer the correct cover type for your new visa stage. Most graduates move to OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) designed for working/temporary graduate visa holders.
But the timing matters.
Cancel OSHC only after all 3 of these are true
If you cancel OSHC before OVHC starts, you can accidentally create a period where you are uninsured.
That can create:
The opposite mistake is also common: students keep paying OSHC for months after the 485 grant because they forget to switch.
That usually leads to:
The goal is not “cancel immediately” or “keep it just in case.”
The goal is a clean handover from OSHC to OVHC.
Step 1: Check your 485 grant date and current OSHC paid-to date
Start with the basics:
If your OSHC is active, use it as your safety net while you arrange the switch.
Step 2: Arrange OVHC for 485 visa cover (start date matters most)
For 485 visa holders, the key is having adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay. That usually means switching to OVHC that matches your visa and stay length.
When setting up OVHC:
Step 3: Cancel OSHC after OVHC is confirmed
Once your OVHC policy is active (or set to start immediately after OSHC ends), contact your OSHC insurer to cancel from the correct date.
This is the point when you can usually request a refund of any unused OSHC premium (subject to the fund’s cancellation/refund rules).
The biggest mistake after 485 grant: assuming Medicare replaces OSHC automatically
Many graduates hear mixed advice from friends and assume they can cancel OSHC immediately because:
Do not rely on assumptions.
What to check before cancelling OSHC for Medicare reasons
Even if someone may have some Medicare access in certain circumstances, that does not mean every 485 holder can simply drop private health cover without checking the visa and insurance requirements properly.
Different insurers apply different operational rules, but in practice, these are the areas that matter most:
1) Cancellation date and notice requirements
Funds may ask for:
2) Refund calculation method
Unused premium is often handled on a pro-rata basis, but the exact calculation can vary by fund and situation.
3) Continuous cover and transfer timing
If you’re moving from OSHC to OVHC (especially with the same fund or transferring to another fund), date continuity matters. A gap can create avoidable issues later.
4) Policyholder/dependant updates
If your relationship status or family composition changed (partner/child on your policy), update the policy structure before cancellation or switch.
If your 485 is granted and your OSHC is still active, the safer move is:
Keep OSHC active temporarily while you arrange OVHC - then cancel OSHC from the correct switch date.
This avoids a gap while you sort documents, compare options, and finalise the new policy.
What you should not do:
Once your 485 is granted, your health cover priorities usually change.
As a student, OSHC is mainly about student visa compliance and baseline medical/hospital cover.
On 485, many people start looking at:
The “cheapest” OVHC is not always the best switch if you expect regular GP visits, medications, or specialist referrals.
After a 485 visa grant, graduates commonly compare:
If you’re switching from OSHC, compare using the same details:
That gives you a much more accurate result than comparing generic “cheap OVHC” claims.
This happens often when students prepay long OSHC periods.
In many cases, you may be able to:
Before cancelling, make sure:
Good recordkeeping helps if there is any delay in the refund process.
Q1. Can I cancel OSHC immediately after my 485 visa is granted?
You can, but you should only do it after your replacement OVHC is active (or starts immediately after OSHC ends). The safest approach is a no-gap handover.
Q2. Do I need OVHC after a 485 visa grant?
Most 485 holders need adequate health insurance for the visa period, and OVHC is the common cover used after moving off a student visa.
Q3. Can I keep OSHC after getting a 485 visa?
You may still be covered temporarily while it remains active, but OSHC is generally tied to student visa circumstances. After a 485 grant, most people switch to OVHC as the correct product type.
Q4. Will I get a refund on unused OSHC after switching to OVHC?
Often yes, subject to your fund’s cancellation and refund rules. Refunds are commonly based on unused premium, and the insurer may ask for documents such as your visa grant or cancellation request details.
Q5. What if I have dependants on my OSHC and my 485 is granted?
Check the cover setup carefully before cancelling. You’ll usually need the new OVHC policy to correctly include all family members (single/couple/family structure) so nobody is left uninsured.
Q6. What if my 485 is granted but I’m waiting to decide which insurer to choose?
Keep your OSHC active until your OVHC is arranged, then cancel OSHC from the correct date. Don’t create a gap just to “save a few days” of premium.
Got your 485 visa grant and ready to switch from OSHC the right way?
Get your quote on getmypolicy.online and check OVHC options from leading providers like Bupa, nib, Allianz Care Australia, Medibank, and AIA - so you can move to the right cover with no gap and no guesswork.
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