Overseas student health cover
Health insurance is compulsory for most international students who are studying in Australia.
It is a condition of your student visa that you maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your studies. This cover needs to be arranged about the same time you accept your offer to study.
There are a few students who may be exempt – see exemptions below.
Your health cover provides access to the University Health Service and public hospitals in Australia (waiting periods apply for some health treatments). Higher-level cover, which can give you access to private hospitals, for example, is your responsibility.
Arranging your health cover
We can arrange OSHC for the duration of your Australian visa through the University of Sydney's preferred provider Allianz Care. If you finish your studies early and your visa is no longer valid, you can obtain a refund for any unused portion of your OSHC.
The University will then schedule your first payment to Allianz, and will advise the Australian Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
Please note that you will be personally responsible for all future renewal payments to Allianz OSHC.
Disclosure
If you insure through the University then you consent to us disclosing your relevant personal details (for example, your family name, given name, sex, date of birth, start date and campus code) to Allianz OSHC so your cover can be registered.
Order your membership card
When you arrive in Australia, you’ll need to arrange for your OSHC membership card to be posted to your residential address. To do this, order your card on the Allianz website. You should receive your card within five business days.
Allianz representatives on campus
If you have any questions about your insurance or membership card, you can speak with Allianz representatives on Level 4 of the Wentworth Building from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If you already have valid OSHC or if you wish to buy it independently from an approved provider, please complete the appropriate section on your Acceptance of Offer and do not include the OSHC amount in your first fee payment to the University of Sydney.
You can purchase your health cover through one of the additional Australian Government-approved providers:
If you choose to purchase OSHC independently you need to provide evidence of your OSHC membership when you submit your Australian student visa application.
Cost
The cost of your cover will depend on your circumstances and the duration of your stay.
Exemptions
Membership of a health insurance scheme in your home country does not exempt you from paying OSHC. There are special inter-governmental arrangements that cover you whilst you study in Australia. For information on such arrangements, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have appropriate health cover arrangements in place for the duration of your studies. If you require OSHC, check the two options above to arrange OSHC through the University or independently.
Students holding Australian Government scholarships (such as Australia Awards) have their health insurance cover paid directly to Allianz Global Assistance.
Study abroad or exchange students on non-student visas
Study abroad or exchange students arriving in Sydney on non-student visas (such as the 417 Working Holiday Visa), are not eligible for Overseas Student Health Cover.
However, we still strongly recommend you purchase comprehensive insurance before you depart for Australia. Our preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance, offers overseas visitors health cover for students not eligible for OSHC.
More information
More information about what is covered through the health cover can be found in the Allianz's information sheet (pdf, 167.8KB) or refer to the Department of Health or Allianz Care.
