AHM OSHC – Overseas Student Health Cover
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Already Have AHM OSHC Through Your University?
- About AHM OSHC
- What Does AHM OSHC Cover?
- AHM OSHC Policy Options
- How to Use Your AHM OSHC in Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions About AHM OSHC
- Not Sure if AHM is Right for You?
AHM OSHC is an approved Overseas Student Health Cover option for international students who need health insurance for a subclass 500 student visa in Australia. Compare AHM OSHC before purchasing, or learn how to use your existing cover.
Student Visa Cover
OSHC for subclass 500 student visa holders
Visa Certificate
Certificate issued after online purchase
Find a Doctor
Search direct billing providers near you
24/7 Support
Student health support available anytime
Compare Providers
Review AHM beside other OSHC options
Already Have AHM OSHC Through Your University?
Many international students receive AHM OSHC through their university, education agent, or enrolment process. If you already have AHM OSHC, this guide can help you activate your membership, understand your certificate, find a doctor, make a claim, and understand what’s covered.
If you’re still deciding, you can also compare AHM OSHC with other options available to international students in Australia.
I already have AHM OSHC
Learn how to activate your membership and start using your cover.
I’m comparing OSHC providers
Compare AHM with other student health cover options.
About AHM OSHC
AHM Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance for international students studying in Australia. Holding OSHC is a condition of your subclass 500 student visa and helps cover certain medical and hospital costs while studying.
Once you’ve purchased your cover, you’ll receive an OSHC certificate for your visa and university enrolment. You can then activate your membership, manage your policy, find providers, and make claims through Online Member Services or the AHM OSHC app.
This page is published by OSHC Australia, an independent comparison site, not AHM’s own website. That means you can learn how AHM OSHC works and compare it with other providers before deciding.
Student Visa Cover
Approved OSHC option for subclass 500 student visa holders
Visa Certificate
Certificate issued after your policy is confirmed
Find a Provider
Search for direct billing doctors and partner private hospitals
Claims Support
Submit and track claims online or through the AHM OSHC app
24/7 Support
Health advice and student support available day or night
Compare Providers
See how AHM compares with other OSHC options
What Does AHM OSHC Cover?
Here’s what AHM OSHC helps cover, and what you may still need to pay for yourself.
Hospital and Emergency
“Inpatient” means you’ve been formally admitted to hospital, rather than simply visiting an emergency department or attending an appointment. AHM OSHC helps cover medically necessary treatment in public hospitals and partner private hospitals where AHM has an agreement in place. It also covers accident and emergency department facility fees, whether or not you’re admitted. Some medical services provided during your visit may still result in out-of-pocket costs.
GP and Medical Visits
A GP (general practitioner) is your local doctor, who is the first person you’d see for most non-emergency health concerns. Some clinics offer direct billing, where they bill AHM directly, or bulk billing, where they accept the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee as full payment. Not every clinic does this, so use AHM’s provider finder before booking. If your clinic doesn’t bill AHM directly, you’ll usually pay upfront and claim later.
Prescription Medicines
AHM OSHC may contribute towards eligible prescription medicines. Medicines you can buy without a prescription (over-the-counter items) generally aren’t included. AHM pays up to $50 per eligible prescription, with annual limits of $500 for single memberships and $1,000 per family membership.
Emergency Ambulance
AHM OSHC covers 100% of the cost of emergency ambulance transport Australia-wide in the case of an urgent medical situation. Non-emergency ambulance transport isn’t included.
Waiting Periods
A waiting period is the time between your policy starting and when you can claim for certain services. There are no waiting periods for GP consultations, emergency ambulance transport, prescription medicines, or new conditions requiring hospitalisation. Most pre-existing conditions have a 12-month waiting period. Pre-existing psychiatric hospital treatment has a two-month waiting period. Pregnancy waiting periods depend on your policy length.
What AHM OSHC Doesn’t Cover
Here’s what to know before you need it:
Routine dental treatment generally isn’t included under standard OSHC.
Optical items such as prescription glasses generally aren’t included.
Prescription medicine benefits have annual limits.
Some services have waiting periods before you can claim.
If your doctor charges more than the OSHC benefit, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Extras cover (for services like dental and optical) is separate from standard OSHC, if available.
Got more questions? See the FAQ section below or compare plan details across AHM’s policy options.
AHM OSHC Policy Options
What you pay depends on your policy type, how long your visa runs, your start date, and who is covered alongside you. Use the cards below to find the right policy category, then get a quote for an exact price.
Single Student OSHC
Best for one student
Covers one international student.
Used by most solo student visa applicants.
Policy dates should match visa requirements.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Couple OSHC
Best for student and partner
Covers the student and partner.
Both people must be listed correctly.
Policy dates must cover the required stay.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Family OSHC
Best for student with dependants
Covers the student, partner, and eligible children.
Dependants must be included on the policy.
Required for families applying together.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Single Parent Family OSHC
Best for one parent with children
Covers one student and eligible children.
Does not include a partner.
Policy dates should match visa requirements.
Final price confirmed through quote.
Want to see how AHM compares with Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, and other OSHC providers? Compare All OSHC Providers
How to Use Your AHM OSHC in Australia
Having OSHC is one part of studying in Australia, and knowing how to use it once you’ve arrived is just as important. If you haven’t purchased cover yet, you can compare AHM OSHC quotes before getting started.
Step 1 – Buy or Confirm Your AHM OSHC
You might receive AHM OSHC through OSHC Australia, your university, an education agent or directly through AHM. Check your email for your OSHC certificate, policy details and membership information.
Step 2 – Activate or Set Up Your Membership
Follow AHM’s setup instructions to activate your membership and confirm your Australian contact details. Keep your membership number and policy documents somewhere easy to access, and check that your policy dates match your student visa. You can then register for Online Member Services (OMS) or download the AHM OSHC app to manage your cover and make claims.
Step 3 – Find a Doctor Near You
A GP (general practitioner) is your local doctor. Use AHM’s provider finder to search for clinics that bill AHM directly. If they don’t, you’ll usually pay upfront and submit a claim afterwards.
Step 4 – Make a Claim
If you pay for treatment yourself, keep your receipts, invoices, and any referral letters from your appointment. Most claims can be submitted through Online Member Services or the AHM OSHC app.
What to Do in a Medical Emergency in Australia
Call 000 for urgent ambulance, fire, or police help.
Go to the nearest public hospital emergency department if urgent.
Show your AHM membership details when asked.
Contact AHM support after receiving treatment.
Keep all hospital documents and receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions About AHM OSHC
These are the most common questions international students ask about AHM OSHC.
Does AHM OSHC meet the requirements of my subclass 500 student visa?
AHM OSHC is an approved Overseas Student Health Cover option for international students who need health insurance for a subclass 500 student visa. After purchasing your policy, you’ll receive an OSHC certificate confirming your cover dates. Always check that your policy covers the full length of your stay in Australia.
What does AHM OSHC cover?
AHM OSHC helps cover medically necessary hospital treatment, GP and medical services, emergency ambulance transport, and eligible prescription medicines, subject to policy rules and benefit limits. Some services may also have waiting periods or out-of-pocket costs.
Does AHM OSHC cover dental?
Routine dental treatment, including check-ups, fillings, and extractions, generally isn’t included under standard OSHC. If you want dental cover, check AHM directly for extras options or see whether your university provides low-cost dental services.
Does AHM OSHC cover mental health?
AHM OSHC includes eligible mental health and psychiatric services, although waiting periods and policy rules may apply. Check AHM’s current Cover Summary to confirm what your policy includes. If you need immediate support, contact your university’s counselling service or local emergency services.
How do I activate my AHM OSHC?
Use the membership details sent after purchasing your policy to complete AHM’s activation process. Confirm your Australian contact details, then register for Online Member Services or the AHM OSHC app to manage your cover.
How do I find a doctor with AHM OSHC?
Use AHM’s provider finder to search for GPs and clinics that bill AHM directly. Before booking, ask the clinic whether you’ll need to pay anything at your appointment. If they don’t bill AHM directly, you’ll usually pay upfront and submit a claim afterwards.
How do I make a claim with AHM OSHC?
If your provider bills AHM directly, you may not need to make a claim. If you pay for treatment yourself, keep any receipts or supporting documents and submit your claim through Online Member Services or the AHM OSHC app.
Can I switch from AHM to another OSHC provider?
You can switch OSHC providers, but you must maintain continuous cover to meet your student visa requirements. Before switching, check your policy dates, refund conditions and waiting period transfer rules. Compare providers side by side before deciding.
How much does AHM OSHC cost?
The cost of AHM OSHC depends on your policy type, visa length, cover dates, and who is included on the policy. Compare live quotes through OSHC Australia to find the option that best suits your situation.
What is my AHM OSHC certificate used for?
Your OSHC certificate confirms you’ve purchased Overseas Student Health Cover for your listed policy dates. You’ll often need it for your student visa application, university enrolment, and your own records. Keep a copy somewhere easy to access.
Not Sure if AHM is Right for You?
That’s exactly what this site is for. Compare AHM with Medibank, Bupa, Allianz and other OSHC providers side by side, so you can choose your best cover with confidence.
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