Medibank OSHC – Overseas Student Health Cover
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Does My University Partner with Medibank?
- About Medibank OSHC
- What Does Medibank OSHC Cover?
- Medibank OSHC Plan Options
- How to Use Your Medibank OSHC in Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions About Medibank OSHC
- Not Sure if Medibank is Right for You?
Medibank is a government-approved provider of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and its cover meets the requirements of the subclass 500 student visa. This page is for students already enrolled in Medibank through their university, and for students currently comparing providers before purchasing.
Government Approved
One of six OSHC providers authorised by the Australian Government
50+ Years of Experience
Supporting members since 1976
4.2+ Million Members
Australia’s largest health insurer by member count
24/7 Support Available
Phone and app support any time, day or night
From $719 per year
For a single student policy – price confirmed at quote
Does My University Partner with Medibank?
Many Australian universities have a preferred OSHC provider arrangement, so it’s completely normal for students to be enrolled in that provider’s cover automatically during their enrolment. You may already have active cover without having arranged it yourself.
If your university isn’t a Medibank partner, you can still choose Medibank by purchasing Essentials OSHC directly.
Your university isn’t listed? You can still choose Medibank – compare and purchase directly.
About Medibank OSHC
With more than 4.2 million members, Medibank is Australia’s largest health insurer. For international students, that means access to a wide and trusted network of doctors and hospitals. Medibank is also backed by more than 40 years of experience as an Australian Government-approved OSHC provider.
Medibank runs a dedicated OSHC app that lets you check your cover, make claims, and find a direct billing doctor nearby. You’ll also get Online Doctor, a 24/7 consultation with a qualified doctor at no out-of-pocket cost, plus a 24/7 Student Health and Support Line staffed by registered nurses, with interpreters in 160 languages.
This page sits on OSHC Australia, an independent comparison site – not Medibank’s own website. That means you can see how Medibank’s cover works, where its limits apply, and compare Medibank against all other approved OSHC providers before deciding.
24/7 Phone Support - Reach Medibank any time via phone or live chat
Multilingual Service – Support available in 160 languages
Medibank App – Manage your cover, find doctors, and make claims from your phone
Direct Billing – See a direct billing doctor and pay little or nothing upfront
Visa Compliant – Meets all requirements of the subclass 500 student visa
Fast Claims – Most claims processed within five business days
What Does Medibank OSHC Cover?
Here’s what’s included across both Medibank OSHC plans. Compare the two plans below.
Hospital and Emergency
An “inpatient” is someone formally admitted to hospital for treatment. Medibank OSHC helps cover accommodation, surgical procedures, and immediately medically necessary treatment when you’re admitted as a private patient in either public or eligible private hospitals. It also covers 100% of the facility fee charged by a hospital’s accident and emergency department, whether or not you’re admitted.
GP and Medical Visits
A GP (general practitioner) is your local doctor, and the first person you’d see for most non-emergency health concerns. Your GP can also refer you to specialists, blood tests and x-rays. Medibank covers GP consultations at 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. There may be a gap for you to pay for other services. A bulk billing doctor sends the bill straight to Medibank, and you pay little or nothing at your appointment. Not all clinics bulk bill, so use Medibank’s find a provider tool to check before you book.
Prescription Medicines
Medibank OSHC contributes towards eligible prescription medicines. You pay a $30 contribution per item, then Medibank pays a benefit up to your annual limit. On Essentials OSHC, that means Medibank contributes up to $70 towards each prescription, up to a total of $500 in a year. On Comprehensive OSHC, Medibank covers 100% of the item cost, up to a total of $1,000 in a year. Medicines you can buy without a prescription, including over-the-counter items, aren’t covered.
Emergency Ambulance
An emergency ambulance is for urgent medical situations that require immediate transport to a hospital. Medibank OSHC includes unlimited emergency ambulance cover Australia-wide, for both transport to hospital and for an ambulance attending when transport isn’t needed. It doesn’t cover non-emergency transport.
Waiting Periods
A waiting period is the time you must wait after your cover starts before you can claim for certain services. Most pre-existing conditions have a 12-month waiting period. Pregnancy and birth services also have a 12-month waiting period on policies shorter than two years. There is no waiting period for GP visits, emergency ambulance, hospital psychiatric treatment or mental health support.
What Medibank OSHC Doesn’t Cover
Here’s what you need to know before you need it:
Routine dental treatment, including check-ups, fillings and extractions, isn’t covered under standard OSHC. Extras cover, including dental, is a separate product you can buy alongside OSHC.
Optical items, including eye tests and prescription glasses, aren’t covered.
Prescription medicine benefits are capped by an annual limit, and you pay $30 per item.
Pre-existing conditions carry a 12-month waiting period before you can claim.
Got more questions? See the FAQ section below.
Medibank OSHC Plan Options
Medibank offers two OSHC plans. Both meet your visa requirements and include the cover described above. What changes is the pharmacy benefit and a handful of added services.
Essentials OSHC
Best for students buying cover independently
Available to purchase directly online – no university partnership needed.
Pharmacy: up to $70 per item, $500 annual limit per member.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Comprehensive OSHC
Best for students enrolled through a partner university
Only available through selected partner universities and schools.
Pharmacy: 100% of the item cost, $1,000 annual limit per member.
Adds private psychology and counselling benefits, plus a repatriation benefit.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Both plans come as Single, Couple, Family, or Single Parent Family memberships. Want to see how Medibank compares to Bupa, Allianz, and AHM? Compare All OSHC Providers
How to Use Your Medibank OSHC in Australia
Having cover is one thing. Knowing how to use it in Australia is another. Here’s exactly what to do.
Step 1 – Enrol in Medibank OSHC
You can get Medibank OSHC through your university’s preferred provider arrangement, directly through OSHC Australia, or via an education agent. If you’re reading this page, you may already be enrolled. Check your email for your OSHC policy certificate.
Step 2 – Activate Your Membership When You Arrive
Your cover doesn’t work until you activate it. When you arrive in Australia, follow Medibank’s activation instructions and confirm your Australian contact details, either through Online Member Services or by calling 134 148. Download the Medibank OSHC app for your digital membership card, and keep your membership number handy. You’ll need it whenever you see a doctor or make a claim.
Step 3 – Find a Doctor (GP) Near You
A GP is a general practitioner or local doctor. A bulk billing doctor bills Medibank directly, so you pay little or nothing at your appointment. Use the find a provider tool to locate one near your university or home. If your clinic isn’t a bulk billing provider, pay upfront, keep the receipt, and claim it back through the app or website.
Step 4 – Make a Claim
You can claim through the Medibank OSHC app, Online Member Services, or at a Medibank store. Claims over $1,000 and inpatient hospital admissions need to be submitted online or by post instead. Once assessed, your benefit is normally paid into your Australian bank account within five business days.
What to Do in a Medical Emergency in Australia
Call 000 for an ambulance, fire or police. This call is free from any phone.
Go to the nearest public hospital emergency department.
Show your Medibank membership card, or the digital card in the app.
Call the 24/7 Student Health and Support Line on 1800 887 283 afterwards if you need help after treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medibank OSHC
These are the questions international students most commonly ask about Medibank OSHC.
Does Medibank OSHC meet the requirements of my subclass 500 student visa?
Yes. Medibank is one of six Australian Government-approved OSHC providers, and Medibank OSHC satisfies the health insurance condition of the subclass 500 student visa. After you join, Medibank will email you an OSHC policy certificate, which you may need when lodging your visa application.
Does my university partner with Medibank?
Many Australian universities have a preferred provider arrangement with Medibank and enrol students automatically. If yours does, you’ll be on Comprehensive OSHC, which is only available through partner institutions. Use the university lookup above to check. If your university isn’t listed, you can still purchase Essentials OSHC directly.
What does Medibank OSHC cover?
Medibank OSHC covers hospital and emergency treatment, GP visits, specialist consultations, blood tests and x-rays, unlimited emergency ambulance, and eligible prescription medicines. See the full breakdown above.
Does Medibank OSHC cover dental?
No – routine dental treatment, including check-ups, fillings and extractions, isn’t covered under standard OSHC. If dental matters to you, you can purchase Medibank Extras cover separately. It’s also worth checking whether your university offers a discounted student dental service.
Does Medibank OSHC cover mental health?
Yes. Medibank covers eligible mental health services. Hospital psychiatric treatment isn’t subject to a waiting period, so eligible treatment can be accessed from the day your cover starts. On Comprehensive OSHC, you also get benefits towards private psychology and counselling. If you need support right now, call the 24/7 Student Health and Support Line on 1800 887 283. There’s a qualified counsellor there for you, any time of day or night.
How do I activate my Medibank OSHC when I arrive in Australia?
Register for Online Member Services or call Medibank on 134 148 to confirm your arrival date and address. Then download the Medibank OSHC app for your digital membership card. See the step-by-step guide above for the full process.
How do I make a claim with Medibank OSHC?
You can claim through the Medibank OSHC app, Online Member Services, or at a Medibank store. Keep your receipts if you paid upfront. Benefits are normally paid into your Australian bank account within five business days of assessment. Claims over $1,000 and inpatient admissions must be submitted online or by post. See the full guide above for more detail.
Can I switch from Medibank to another OSHC provider?
Yes. Waiting periods you’ve already served with Medibank are generally recognised by your new provider, so you usually won’t start them again. Make sure there’s no gap between your Medibank cover ending and your new cover starting, as this can breach your visa conditions. Compare all OSHC providers to see your options.
Not Sure if Medibank is Right for You?
OSHC Australia lets you compare Medibank against Bupa, Allianz, AHM and other approved providers side by side. You can see pricing, coverage and waiting periods for free and in under a minute.
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