Health insurance for international students

The Australian government requires all international students and their families to pay for their own health insurance in Australia through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. You may choose to purchase OSHC through the University of Sydney or you can arrange your own OSHC independently through an approved provider. Visit the Department of Health and Ageing website for a list of approved providers.

The University-preferred provider of OSHC is OSHC Worldcare. If you purchase OSHC through the University of Sydney we will advise the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on your behalf. If you choose to purchase OSHC independently you must must provide evidence of your OSHC membership when you submit your Australian student visa application.

Membership of a health insurance scheme in your home country does not exempt you from paying OSHC. Only the following students are exempt from paying the Australian Overseas Student Health Cover as a result of special inter-governmental arrangements:

  • Swedish students covered by MARSH
  • Norwegian students covered by the National Norwegian Insurance Scheme
  • New Zealand students who come to Australia on a non-Student visa and have entitlements under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and New Zealand.

If you insure with OSHC Worldcare through the University, then in so doing, you consent to the University disclosing your relevant personal details (for example, your family name, given name, sex, date of birth, start date and campus code) to OSHC Worldcare so that your OSHC can be registered. You should enquire OSHC Worldcare website www.oshcworldcare.com.au about your OSHC membership card after you arrive in Sydney.

OSHC provides free access to the University health service and public hospitals. Higher level coverage (e.g. access to private hospitals, or coverage for spouse and family) is your responsibility. Waiting periods apply for some health treatments.

WORLDCARE ASSIST
OSHC FEES
Fees until
31 Dec 2009
Fees from
01 Jan 2010
Period of Cover
Single student
$185
$195
up to 6 months
 
$370
$390
up to 12 months
 
$527
$585
up to 18 months
 
$703
$780
up to 24 months
 
$879
$926
up to 30 months
 
$1,055
$1,112
up to 36 months
 
$1,230
$1,297
up to 42 months
 
$1,406
$1,482
up to 48 months
 
$1,582
$1,667
up to 54 months
 
$1,758
$1,853
up to 60 months
 

$1,933

$2,038

up to 66 months

 

$2,109

$2,223

up to 72 months

       
Family
$370
$390
up to 6 months
 
$740
$780
up to 12 months
 
$1,054
$1,170
up to 18 months
 
$1,406
$1,560
up to 24 months
 
$1,758
$1,852
up to 30 months
 
$2,110
$2,224
up to 36 months
 
$2,460
$2,594
up to 42 months
 
$2,812
$2,964
up to 48 months
 
$3,164
$3,334
up to 54 months
 
$3,516
$3,706
up to 60 months
 

$3,866

$4,076

up to 66 months

 
$4,218
$4,446
up to 72 months

Australian scholarship students

Students holding Australian government scholarships have their health insurance cover paid directly to OSHC Worldcare.