Why Understanding OSHC Coverage Matters

Healthcare in Australia can be expensive - especially hospital treatment. OSHC ensures you can access medically necessary healthcare, avoid unexpected bills, and meet visa health insurance requirements.

While all OSHC providers must meet the same minimum benefits, they differ in:

• GP direct-billing networks
• Hospital partnership agreements
• Claim processing experience
• Digital and multilingual support

Choosing well can make a big difference in convenience and out-of-pocket costs.

What OSHC Covers (Core Benefits Required Under the OSHC Deed)

1. GP Visits & Specialist Consultations

OSHC pays at least 85% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for doctor visits outside hospital.

If your GP bulk-bills OSHC, your visit may cost $0.

If the GP charges above the MBS fee, you pay the difference.

2. Hospital Treatment

OSHC covers:

• 100% of the MBS fee for doctors and specialists in hospital.
• Public hospital shared-ward accommodation.
• Contracted private hospital services (availability varies by insurer).

Hospital admissions include surgery, emergency admissions (if admitted), mental health care, and more.

3. Emergency Ambulance Transport

OSHC covers emergency ambulance services when treatment is medically necessary.

Non-emergency transport may not be covered unless stated by your insurer.

4. Prescription Medicines

OSHC covers part of the cost of PBS-listed medicines:

• Up to around $50 per prescription item, and
• Up to around $500 per year per insured person (may vary by fund).

You pay the PBS patient co-payment first, and OSHC reimburses the difference up to the allowed benefit.

Waiting Periods to Be Aware Of

Waiting periods continue if you transfer between OSHC providers without a gap.

What OSHC Does Not Cover (Common Exclusions)

OSHC does not cover:

• Dental, optical, physiotherapy (unless you purchase extra cover)
• Cosmetic or elective surgery
• Non-PBS or high-cost medications outside allowable limits
• Medical treatment outside Australia
• Services not considered medically necessary

Understanding exclusions helps avoid surprise expenses later.

OSHC Providers Available on GetMyPolicy.online

All the following insurers meet OSHC Deed requirements for student visa compliance:

The core coverage is the same, but the experience differs - especially for hospital access and bulk-billing convenience.

How to Choose the Right OSHC in 2026

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to avoid gap fees? → Choose insurers with wider GP/hospital networks.
• Do I want fast, app-based claiming? → Look at nib or Allianz Care.
• Do I prefer face-to-face branch support? → Consider Medibank or Bupa.

GetMyPolicy.online lets you view and compare pricing and coverage features so you can make a confident decision before paying.