OSHC, meaning Overseas Student Health Cover, is mandatory health insurance required for those applying for a Student visa in Australia. The Australian Government approves five OSHC providers: NIB, AHM OSHC, Medibank, Bupa, and Allianz.
OSHC Australia in July 2026: This is the cheapest Overseas Student Health Cover
Click to compare and purchase your cheapest OSHC eligible for a Student visa in Australia:


The cost of OSHC in Australia varies depending on the duration of your course and provider. For 12 months, the cheapest cover currently starts at approximately $666.87 with Allianz Care. You are not required to pay for OSHC before enroling; however, payment must be made before we process your Student visa application. Should you choose to leave Australia before completing your course, change your visa, or experience a Student visa refusal, you may request a refund for any unused portion of your policy.
Cheapest OSHC for couples in July 2026
What is the cost for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for couples? If you are applying for your Australian Student visa, you may want to consider a couple's OSHC. Allianz Care offers the most affordable health insurance for couples and a 12-month coverage will cost you $5,364.74. You can get the cheapest OSHC for couples here.
Cheapest OSHC for families in July 2026
If you're bringing your partner and children to Australia for your studies, family OSHC is worth comparing carefully, as prices vary significantly between providers. Allianz Care currently offers the most affordable family OSHC, with a 12-month policy costing $9,539.97 — more than $4,600 cheaper than Medibank, the most expensive provider at $14,170.50. You can get the cheapest OSHC for families here.
OSHC Australia: Choose the right duration of your cover
Student visas are typically granted for a duration slightly longer than the actual course length. It's important to ensure that even if you opt for the cheapest OSHC for your Student visa, it doesn't expire on your course completion date. How much longer should you aim for? Based on our experience, here's a guideline for OSHC duration when the course is 10 months or longer:
- If your course ends between January and October, your OSHC should extend 2 months beyond your course duration.
- If your course ends in November or December, get your OSHC until March 15th of the following year.
What is the best OSHC in Australia for international students?
Now that you know the OSHC meaning—Overseas Student Health Cover—you can get a free quote here to compare all OSHC providers: NIB, AHM OSHC, Medibank, Bupa, and Allianz. This will help you determine which provider offers the most comprehensive and cost-effective cover for your specific circumstances and how much you can save.
Note: Certain Belgian, Norwegian, and Swedish students are exempt from obtaining Australian OSHC when applying for a Student visa.