Moving to Australia as a student is exciting, but it also comes with responsibilities. One of the most important requirements for international students is having health insurance, especially if you are applying for or already hold a CBHS 485 visa. If you’re new to the country or about to finish your studies, you’ve probably heard of OSHC for student visas. Let’s break it down in simple terms, so you’ll know what to expect and how to stay covered while you live, study, or work in Australia.
Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC, is a type of health insurance. It helps pay for some of the medical expenses international students might have during their stay in Australia. This includes doctor visits, hospital care, ambulance rides, and even some prescription medicines.
If you’re on a student visa or applying for a graduate visa like the CBHS 485 visa, you must have OSHC in place for the whole time you’re in the country. It’s not optional. Without OSHC, your visa could be denied or cancelled. OSHC is your safety net—it helps you get medical help without worrying too much about costs.
Even if you’re no longer studying but applying for a CBHS 485 visa to stay and work in Australia after graduation, you still need to maintain health cover. That’s where OSHC for student visa holders makes a difference—it ensures you stay protected during and after your studies.
If you’re using OSHC while on a CBHS 485 visa, these are the benefits you’ll have access to. Just remember, it doesn’t cover everything. You’ll still have to pay part of the cost for many medicines and certain services, and extras like dental, physio, or optical aren’t included unless you buy extra cover.
That depends on your situation:
If you’re just arriving in Australia, your OSHC usually starts the day you land, as long as your policy is linked to your enrolment and visa.
If you’re already studying here, your policy ends on the date shown on your membership card. It’s your job to renew it before it runs out.
If you’re planning to apply for a CBHS 485 visa, make sure your OSHC policy is valid up to the time your new visa is granted. You don’t want a gap in your cover because that can affect your visa status.
When your student visa finishes, your OSHC won’t be valid anymore. If you’re applying for a CBHS 485 visa and waiting for approval, you’ll need a different type of cover—often called Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).
But if your OSHC hasn’t run out yet, and you’re still on your student visa, you must keep it active. You can’t just stop paying and hope for the best. It’s a condition of your visa to keep that policy going until the day it expires.
Not really. If you fall behind on payments, your OSHC policy might still stay active, but you won’t be able to claim any costs for treatments you had during the time you were behind. That means you’ll have to pay out of pocket until you catch up. So, it’s best to keep your payments regular and your policy up to date.
Only certain health insurers in Australia are allowed to provide OSHC. These companies are approved by the Department of Health and offer health cover that meets the rules. Some of the big names include:
When applying for the CBHS 485 visa, many students choose CBHS because it’s linked to certain universities and education agents, and it offers cover made for graduates moving into work.
Yes, but only for students from a few countries. You might not need OSHC if you’re:
If you’re not from one of these countries, you’ll need OSHC for your student visa, and later OVHC for your CBHS 485 visa.
If you get a new visa, become a permanent resident, or become eligible for Medicare, tell your insurer right away. You might need to change your type of cover. Don’t wait until your health fund finds out later—that could lead to problems with claims or cancellations.
If you’re applying for a CBHS 485 visa and switching from OSHC to another type of policy, your insurance company can help you move to the right plan.
When you’re moving from student life to work life in Australia, things can get tricky. But keeping your health cover sorted doesn’t have to be one of those challenges. Make sure your OSHC stays active until your CBHS 485 visa is granted. Once that happens, talk to your insurer about what new cover you need for your working visa.
Taking care of your health cover is more than just ticking a box for your visa. It gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your time in Australia, whether you’re studying, working, or both.
Are you unsure if your OSHC is enough for your CBHS 485 visa? Need help switching to the right plan after your student visa ends? At Unique Education and Migration Services, we make the process easier. Our team understands the health cover requirements for both OSHC and working visas, and we can guide you step by step. Let us help you stay protected, meet visa rules, and avoid costly mistakes. Speak to our team today for support you can trust.
Let Unique Migration guide you every step of the way! Whether you need a skilled visa, family sponsorship, or expert migration advice, our team ensures a smooth and successful process.
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