Health insurance

It is a condition of your student visa that you have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the visa.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is the minimum level of health insurance international students and their dependants are required to purchase as a condition of their student visa.

La Trobe University currently has an agreement with OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance, a private health fund, to provide health cover for our international students. If you purchase OSHC through La Trobe University we will advise DIAC on your behalf. Under this agreement, you pay an OSHC premium for the entire length of your course with your first instalment of tuition fees. This means that you are covered from the day you arrive in Australia.

If you choose to purchase OSHC independently from other providers, you must make payment arrangements with that provider directly and provide proof of your OSHC membership to DIAC before your visa is issued. A list of OSHC providers is available from the Department of Health and Ageing website. For further information on student visa regulations, visit the DIAC website.

The following students are exempt from paying the Australian Overseas Student Health Cover as a result of special inter-governmental arrangements:

  • Norwegian students covered by the National Norwegian Insurance Scheme
  • Swedish students covered by MARSH
  • Belgian students - as a result of an agreement between the Australian and Belgian governments, all Belgian students are considered to have met 'adequate insurance' requirements on the basis of the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and Belgium.

Tips on OSHC for international students

  • When you arrive in Australia, you should order your OSHC membership card from OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance website.
  • Make sure that you are aware of the waiting periods of the policy you purchase. Most insurers will impose a 12 month waiting period for cover on pre-existing conditions or some health treatments, and some will not cover them at all.
  • Check the restrictions and exclusions of the policy. Not everything will be covered in full and some items may not be covered at all.
  • Keep your policy paid and up to date. It is condition of your student visa that you maintain current OSHC for the duration of your visa. If you need to extend your OSHC (e.g. you fail some units and need to extend your time here), it is your responsibility to do this directly with the OSHC provider.
  • If you are anticipating treatment, you can contact OSHC to find out whether you will be covered and how much you will need to pay yourself (out-of-pocket expenses).
  • OSHC provides access to the  health service and public hospitals with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. For access to private hospitals, specialists or coverage for spouse and family it is your responsibility to consider taking a higher level coverage.

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.

Important note: it is condition of your student visa that you maintain current OSHC for the duration of your visa. If you need to extend your OSHC (e.g. you fail some units and need to extend your time here), it is your responsibility to do this directly with the OSHC provider.

OSHC by Alliance Global Assistance

How much does it cost?

OSHC by Alliance Global Assistance 2013 fees are listed below. Rates may be subject to change without notice. If your spouse and/or children accompany you to Australia on Student Dependant visa/s you will need to pay a 'family' premium.

Month duration
 Single
 Dual family
 Multi-family
6 months
 A$259
 A$590
 A$767
12 months
 A$519
 A$1180
 A$1534
2 years
 A$1037
 A$2622
 A$3409
3 years
 A$1602
 A$3922
 A$5098

Single policy
 Covers only the valid student visa holder.
Dual family policy
 Covers one valid student visa holder plus either one adult spouse or recognised de-facto partner or one or more dependant children.
Multi family policy
 Covers one student visa holder plus more than one dependant which can only include one adult spouse or recognised de-facto partner and one or more dependant children.

For single semester students, you are required to purchase at least seven months duration of OSHC.

For more information you can see the full listing of OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance (PDF 83KB).

What is covered?

  • 100% of the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS)* fee for a consultation with a general practitioner. If a doctor charges more than the scheduled fee, you will have to pay the difference.
  • 100% of the MBS costs for a stay in a shared ward in a public hospital Emergency ambulance transport (call the 24-hour medical assist number on 1800 841 781 to determine if your situation is classified as an emergency. Otherwise non-emergency ambulance transportation is extremely expensive and not covered by OSHC).
  • Most prescription drugs excluding oral contraceptives. You pay a contribution and your provider pays the remainder up to A$50 per item. Limits apply. Check out Prescription Medicines Fact Sheet

* The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fees are uniform across Australia and are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing.

What is not covered?

  • Services provided by physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths or any other ancillary services.
  • Medications, drugs or other treatments not prescribed by a doctor or not included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
  • Dental, optical and physiotherapy. (You may take out optional Extras cover OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance Plus - for these services).
  • Medical or hospital services arising from any event listed as a General Exclusion.Treatment for conditions whose signs and symptoms were in existence before you came to Australia (during the first 12 months of membership) in the opinion of a medical practitioner approved or appointed by OSHC.

It is important that you read the OSHC Essentials – Policy document and members guide for more details on eligibility, periods of cover, general exclusion, benefits payable and more.

OSHC on campus

A client service representative is available to assist international students with their OSHC needs and questions every Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 5pm.

For international students at La Trobe’s regional campuses please visit OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance or call 13 6742:

Medical centres

International students can access medical care services, and the account is sent directly to OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance or you only have to pay a small upfront fee. If a small co-payment is charged, it cannot be claimed.

Melbourne campus

Reservoir Medical Group
Corner Plenty and Gremel Roads
Reservoir
T: (03) 9478 2255
 Complet Care
190 Albert Street,
Reservoir
T: (03) 9471 0022
 Coburg Family Medical Centre
497 Sydney Road, Coburg
T: (03) 9354 4042
 La Trobe University Medical Centre
Corner Plenty Road and Kingsbury Drive
Bundoora
T: (03) 9473 8885

Bendigo campus

You can make an appointment with the student services receptionist to see the doctor. If you bring your health insurance card to the consultation, it can be provided at no cost to you as the doctor bulk-bills your insurance company.

T: (03) 5444 7770

Tristar Medical Group

13/21 Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk

T: (03) 5446 7755

Albury-Wodonga campus

Wodonga West Medical Clinic
195 Melbourne Road, Wodonga West

Shepparton campus

T: (02) 6055 2447

Princess Park Clinic
172 Welsford Street Shepparton

T: (03) 5821 9655

Mildura campus

Tristar Medical Group
87–89 Langtree Avenue Mildura
T: (03) 5023 1200

For a complete list of direct-billing clinics in Victoria, please visit the OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance website.

Did you know?

OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance also offers an emergency interpreting service and a 24 hour legal advice and medical assistance line (free call 1800 814 781).