Enquiries & Contacts

OSHC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is OSHC?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is insurance that provides cover on the costs for medical and hospital care which international students may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for many prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport.

Why do I need OSHC?

OSHC is essential for a number of reasons:

It is a condition of your student visa to have current OSHC.
Hospital and other medical cover in Australia is expensive. If you have an accident or get sick, OSHC will cover many of your expenses.

For example, the average cost for a bed in a public hospital in Australia is approximately $240 per day. As international students are not eligible for Medicare (the Australian government's public health insurance system) they must cover the cost of medical treatment, which can be difficult for many students. As a result, OSHC was introduced by the Australian government to ensure international students have adequate health care arrangements during their stay in Australia. OSHC ensures that all international students can access appropriate and affordable health care.

Who is eligible for OSHC?

All students from overseas who are undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their family members (for example, spouses and children under 18 years old) are eligible for OSHC.

There are three categories of overseas students who are required to take out OSHC. These are:

non-Australian residents with a current student visa;
students from New Zealand; or
expatriate Australian students who are ineligible for cover by Medicare (the basic health care provider for Australians).

Do I need OSHC if I am an AusAID student, or if I am from Norway or Sweden?

Please note that there are some special arrangements regarding Student Health Cover for AusAID students, and students from Norway and Sweden. For full details, visit the DIAC web site at www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm.

Student Health Cover for AusAID Students
If you are a student sponsored by AusAID, you will not need to pay the OSHC yourself. You will, however, need to provide proof that AusAID supports your application.

Student Health Cover for Students from Norway and Sweden
Students applying from Norway and most Swedes do not need to obtain OSHC because the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that these countries have a national health scheme or other arrangements that provide acceptable health insurance for them while they are overseas.

For the OSHC requirement to be waived, Norwegian students should have documentation proving that they are covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Swedish students should have proof that they have insurance provided either by CSN (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) or by Kammarkollegiet.

OSHC is available to Norwegian and Swedish nationals if they require it.

What is covered by OSHC Worldcare?

Worldcare Assist provides for two different levels of cover, OSHC Worldcare and OSHC Worldcare Upgrade. Both levels of cover offer:

24 hour toll free emergency medical advice
24 hour toll free telephone legal advice
emergency interpreting service
doctors fees
public hospital fees
ambulance transport for emergencies
pescription medicines

For more information, please visit the OSHC Worldcare web site.

Is there a Health Service on campus?

Yes. The North Terrace campus of the University has a fully operational medical clinic that is available to students and staff from all University of Adelaide campuses. For more information, visit the University Health Services section of this web site.

What is direct billing?

Direct billing is an arrangement between a health insurance provider and a doctor (or other medical facility), where the doctor sends bills for services directly to your health insurance company. This means that you do not have to put in a separate claim with your insurance company.

University Health directs bills to OSHC Worldcare - your OSHC Worldcare pays for services provided there.

There are several other medical practices in Adelaide that direct bill to OSHC Worldcare - please contact the ISC for more information. Alternatively, just ask the doctor you plan to visit whether they have any direct billing arrangements with your OSHC provider.

Do I have to see a direct billing doctor if I am with OSHC Worldcare?

No. As an international student with current OSHC, you can choose to see whatever doctor you like. You will be given a bill for the medical services you receive, and you will then need to lodge a claim with your OSHC provider. Keep in mind however, that if you visit a doctor outside the University you may not be refunded for the full fee amount. In Australia doctors are allowed to charge what they feel is reasonable for their services, and most doctors charge more than the 'scheduled' fee. The Australian Government sets a schedule of standard fees for medical services provided by doctors, pathology, and x-rays - this is usually called the 'scheduled' fee or the 'bulk billed' fee. Always ask before you make an appointment if the practice charges the scheduled fee or bulk bills. If the answer is no, you need to ask how much it will cost you to visit the doctor. All standard OSHC policies will cover 85% of the 'scheduled' fee. For more information, visit the Health and Medical services outside the University page.

What do I do if I need to go to the hospital?

There are four major public hospitals in Adelaide, and each hospital has a 24-hour Emergency and Casualty department where you may seek help after hours and during weekends.

Expect to wait a long time to see a doctor at a public hospital unless it is an emergency. You should also check the details of your policy benefits regarding treatment in a public hospital with your OSHC provider.

In an emergency, dial 000 and you will be patched through to an ambulance service. Standard OSHC will cover transport by an ambulance when medically necessary for admission to hospital or for emergency treatment if you have an accident or an unforeseen illness that requires immediate medical attention. If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency and you are with OSHC Worldcare, you can call their 24-hour freecall number for advice and assistance. This number is listed on the back of your OSHC card.

For more information about hospitals in South Australia, visit the Health and Medical services outside the University page.

When does my cover start?

If you are a new student who arranged your OSHC through the University, your cover will begin on the start date as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). If you arrive in Australia before or after this date, you will need to update the commencement date of your OSHC policy. To do this, bring your passport to the ISC so that we can site your entry stamp, and we will forward this information to OSHC Worldcare. If you are with another insurance provider, you will have to contact them directly.

If you are renewing your cover, your renewal will take effect from the expiry date shown on your previous card.

What should I do if I get sick before receiving my card?

If the University of Adelaide arranged your OSHC on your behalf:

As an international student, you will have paid for your OSHC as part of the acceptance of your offer of admission. It can take a number of weeks to process your OSHC application and payment, and forward your membership card to you. If you do not receive your card during Orientation, please check with the International Student Centre. Your membership card may have been forwarded to the ISC and you will be able to collect your card there.

If you need to see a doctor before a card has been issued for you, please also contact the ISC. We can often provide you with your OSHC number or can verify your membership details. You can also contact OSHC Worldcare - they will be able to forward a copy of your policy certificate to you.

In an emergency, you can go directly to a public hospital in Australia for attention. The emergency contact number within Australia in 000.

If you have renewed your membership, and are still awaiting the arrival of your new OSHC card, please continue to use the membership details on your old card for reference.

If you arranged your OSHC with another insurance provider, you must contact your provider directly for information regarding your membership.

How do I renew my cover before it expires?

The expiry date of your current OSHC policy is printed on the front of your OSHC card. It is a condition of your student visa that you maintain your cover for the duration of your visa - make sure you are aware of your expiry date, and renew your cover before it expires. If you are with OSHC Worldcare, you also have the option to take out program length cover so that you do not have renew your OSHC every year.

If you have OSHC with OSHC Worldcare:

You can renew your OSHC through the University by going to the Student Centre (Level 4, Wills Building, North Terrace campus); or
You can renew your OSHC directly with OSHC Worldcare online. Instructions are given on the web site.

If you have OSHC with another insurance provider, you must contact them directly to renew your cover.

What is program length cover?

Program Length OSHC, will cover you for the duration of your study program. By choosing this option you will avoid having to renew your OSHC every year, while ensuring that you don't inadvertently breach the OSHC requirements of your student visa. The University's policy on Program Length Cover is available online here. If you are with OSHC Worldcare, you may also find that taking out program length cover means substantial savings - you will be protected from any future price rises in the cost of OSHC, and may be offered a further discount for paying for the duration of your program up front. Contact OSHC Worldcare for further details.

What if I do not have program length cover?

If you do not have program length cover it is your responsibility to renew your OSHC yourself. If your cover lapses you will be liable for all medical expenses that you incur. If you are unsure if you do or do not have program length cover, visit the International Student Centre and staff can advise you.

What happens to my OSHC when I go home for the holidays?

If you have cover with OSHC Worldcare and will be leaving Australia for 30 days or more during a holiday period, you can apply to OSHC Worldcare to have your OSHC extended for the period you were away. To do this simply bring your passport and current OSHC card to the International Student Centre within 30 days of returning to Australia - we will give you a form to fill in and site the exit and entry stamps in your passport. OSHC Worldcare will add this amount of time onto the end of your policy and send you a new card with your new, extended expiry date.

Please note that to be eligible to claim the holiday credit, you must have been out of Australia for 30 days or more, and your OSHC Worldcare policy must be valid when you make the claim, and you must make the claim within 30 days of returning to Australia.

How do I make a claim?

If you have gone to see a doctor outside the University and paid the doctor's fee up front, or have been sent by a doctor for tests or x-rays at a facility outside the University, you will want to claim a refund for fees already paid. To get a refund for doctors fees and/or prescription medication you will need to submit a claim form and original receipts to your OSHC provider. Visit the Claiming a Refund section of this web site for more information.

Worldcare Assist claim forms are available at the International Student Centre, or you can make a claim online through the OSHC Worldcare web site.

If you have arranged OSHC with another insurance provider, please contact them directly for claim options.

Do I need extras cover?

You are not required to have additional, or 'extras' cover on top of your OSHC. However, you may want to consider taking extras health insurance for services such as dental, optical, chiropractic, physiotherapy, clinical psychology, or treatment for a pre-existing medical condition, all of which are not normally covered by the basic OSHC package.

For more information, visit the Extras Cover section of this web site.

What Allied Health Services can I access?

For information on dental, counselling, physiotherapy, optometry services and more, visit the Allied Health Services page.

Do I have to have OSHC with the University's preferred OSHC provider?

No. The University of Adelaide facilitates OSHC with OSHC Worldcare, however international students can choose to take out cover with any Australian Government approved OSHC provider.

If you want to change from one health insurance company to another, please be aware that you must first pay for the new policy, and show proof of payment to your previous insurance company, before you can cancel your old policy and receive a refund for the remaining portion.

What other insurance companies offer OSHC?

A list of all OSHC providers is available on the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing web site.