Clear, independent and easy-to-understand guides to help you identify the NIB health-cover pathway relevant to your visa and understand key Australian requirements.
For international students, with detailed guidance around Student Visa 500, membership types, waiting periods, claims, renewal and switching.
For eligible graduates, workers and visitors, with visa-specific guidance including 485, 482, 407, 408, 417 and 462.
Instead of comparing every insurer, this website is deliberately focused on NIB OSHC and NIB OVHC and the practical questions visa holders ask before buying, switching or using cover.
Visa-specific guidance500, 485, 482 and other temporary visas.
Condition 8501 explanationsPlain-English guidance with links to primary sources.
Member-use guidesWaiting periods, claims, switching and cover management.
Understand OSHC requirements and key cover considerations.
Read guide →Graduate Visa 485Explore the transition from student cover to visitor cover.
Read guide →Visa conditionLearn what adequate health insurance means for relevant visa holders.
Read guide →Quick answers about NIB OSHC, NIB health insurance for the 485 visa, and the 482 visa.
NIB Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance designed for international students studying in Australia. If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500), maintaining appropriate OSHC is generally part of your visa requirements. Read our NIB OSHC guide →
Student visa holders generally need OSHC for the required period, but NIB is one of the registered Australian health insurers offering OSHC rather than the only option. See NIB OSHC for visa 500 →
Depending on the applicable product terms, OSHC can contribute towards eligible hospital and medical services and other covered healthcare costs. Benefits, limits and exclusions should be checked before purchase. Explore hospital cover →
NIB OSHC may pay benefits towards eligible medical services such as GP consultations according to the policy and applicable benefit rules. Out-of-pocket costs can still arise. Read the GP cover guide →
Waiting periods can apply to certain treatments or circumstances. Check the current NIB policy information for the waiting periods relevant to you. See our waiting-period guide →
Pregnancy and birth-related services can be subject to eligibility, waiting periods and other policy conditions. It is important to check these before planning treatment. Read the pregnancy guide →
NIB offers OSHC membership options for different circumstances, including eligible couples and families. The appropriate membership depends on who needs to be covered. Compare membership types →
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants and holders can consider suitable Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). The cover selected should be appropriate to the person's visa and circumstances. Read our NIB 485 guide →
NIB offers OVHC products for overseas workers and visitors, including people on eligible temporary visas. Before purchasing, check that the particular product is appropriate for your 485 visa requirements and circumstances.
Health-insurance requirements can apply to subclass 485 visa holders, including where visa condition 8501 is imposed. Always check your visa grant conditions and current Department of Home Affairs requirements. Read about condition 8501 →
If you are moving from a student visa to a visa such as the 485, your health-cover needs can change from OSHC to OVHC. Timing and continuity of cover should be considered carefully. See the switching guide →
Your cover dates should align with your immigration and health-insurance circumstances so you do not unintentionally create a gap in required cover. Check your existing OSHC end date, visa status and the commencement date of the new OVHC.
Waiting periods may apply to particular services or pre-existing conditions depending on the product terms. Review the current NIB documentation before relying on a benefit. See the OVHC waiting-period guide →
Cover options may be available for eligible couples and families. The right membership arrangement depends on the visa status and circumstances of each person who needs cover. Read the couple and family guide →
NIB offers OVHC for eligible overseas workers. If you hold or are applying for a subclass 482 visa, check that the selected cover is appropriate for your visa conditions and health-insurance needs. Read our NIB 482 visa guide →
Choose the OSHC or OVHC pathway relevant to you.
