OSHCstudents – If you are moving to Australia on a student visa (subclass 500) or a visitor visa, you might be tempted to think: “It’s just health insurance, I’ll choose the cheapest one.”
But here’s the reality – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is not just a visa requirement; it’s your safety net for unexpected medical costs in Australia, where healthcare can be expensive. Choosing the wrong plan could leave you unprotected when you need it most.
At Annalink OSHCstudents, we’ve seen many students make the same mistakes when buying, extending, or renewing their OSHC. To help you avoid them, here are the Top 08 Mistakes to Avoid – and what to do instead.
1. Not Understanding Visa Requirements
International students must maintain valid OSHC for the entire duration of their visa. Choosing coverage dates that don’t align with your course can result in non-compliance.
Tip: Make sure your OSHC starts before you arrive in Australia and ends after your course finishes.
2. Focusing Only on Price and Ignoring Service Quality
Most OSHC plans offer similar core benefits (GP visits, emergency ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medicines). However, the difference lies in service quality, customer support, claim processing speed, and added perks.
If you only choose the cheapest plan, you may face issues when you need assistance or lodge a claim.
Tip: Find a balance between affordable premiums, suitable coverage, and reliable customer service.
3. Skipping the Step of Comparing Providers
Many students think comparing providers is time-consuming, but it’s one of the most important steps in choosing the right OSHC. Each provider has different pricing, support policies, and perks.
For example: Some offer 24/7 support in your native language, some process claims online within hours, and some provide extra perks such as discounts on shopping, gym memberships, and other leisure services.
Tip: Use comparison tools like OSHCstudents.com.au to check prices, benefits, durations, and support policies before deciding.
4. Misunderstanding Policy Exclusions
A common myth is that OSHC covers everything. In reality, each plan has its own limits and exclusions – for example, waiting periods for pre-existing conditions or capped benefits for certain medicines or services.
If you don’t review these details, you may be surprised when a claim is rejected.
Tip: Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to clearly understand what is and isn’t covered.
5. Buying OSHC at the Last Minute
Leaving your OSHC purchase until just before your visa application can cause stress and limit your options.
Tip: Buy OSHC as soon as you receive your offer from the school or your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to ensure you have enough time to choose the right plan.
6. Forgetting to Renew on Time
If your course is extended or you decide to stay longer, you must renew your OSHC to remain visa-compliant and maintain your health coverage.
Tip: Set a reminder on your phone to avoid missing your renewal date.
7. Not Linking OSHC to Your Visa Application
Failing to submit your OSHC details with your visa application can delay the process or require extra documentation.
Tip: Keep your OSHC certificate ready and upload it together with your visa documents.
8. Not Seeking Professional Advice
Trying to choose OSHC on your own may cause you to miss out on better deals or more suitable options. Experts know the strengths and weaknesses of each provider and can guide you to the best choice quickly.
Tip: Contact Annalink OSHCstudents – with just one click on our website, you can see prices, compare all providers, and get expert advice tailored to your needs and budget.
Why Choosing the Right OSHC Matters
The right OSHC plan not only keeps you compliant with your visa conditions but also ensures you receive timely medical care without massive bills. With so many providers and plans available, having expert guidance can make the process faster and easier.
Annalink OSHCstudents helps you compare and choose from Australia’s top OSHC providers, ensuring the plan matches your health needs and budget.
If you are international students, foreigners arriving to Australia, or Australian citizens traveling abroad looking for OSHC, OVHC, travel insurance, please contact OSHCstudents Team at email: info@oshcstudents.com and our partners for further information and assistance.
