Do Student visa 500 holders need OSHC?
Yes, in the usual case. The Department of Home Affairs requires Student visa holders to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia, and OSHC is the standard form of cover for international students. nib states that its OSHC meets Department of Home Affairs student visa requirements.
Your policy needs to match your actual circumstances. Check the required cover dates and make sure any accompanying family members who need to be covered are included.
What does NIB OSHC currently include?
nib's current OSHC information says the cover can help with eligible medical treatment during study. The exact amount paid depends on the service, the policy rules and any applicable limits.
Benefits can apply to eligible appointments with GPs and medical specialists.
Benefits can apply to included public or private hospital treatment.
nib currently highlights emergency and medically necessary ambulance services, subject to its rules.
Some prescription medicine benefits are included, with limits and conditions applying.
NIB OSHC waiting periods: an important 2026 point
Waiting periods can apply before certain benefits become payable. Current nib OSHC Core product information dated June 2026 lists 12 months for pre-existing conditions (except psychiatric treatment) and 2 months for pre-existing psychiatric treatment.
It also contains a notable rule for pregnancy and birth-related services: the current product summary says a 12-month waiting period applies where the cover duration is less than two years, while it lists no waiting period where the cover is two years or more in duration prior to commencing. This is a product-specific detail worth checking carefully against the current nib documentation when you buy.
Waiting-period rules can change and may differ between products. Do not rely only on an online summary when pregnancy, a pre-existing condition or planned treatment is important to you.
Single, couple and family OSHC
Your quote should reflect who needs cover. If a spouse/partner or dependent child is accompanying the student and needs OSHC, choose the appropriate policy type rather than purchasing single cover only.
Cover for the student only.
Student plus eligible spouse/partner, subject to nib's definitions.
For eligible family arrangements. Check the current policy definition before purchase.
What should you check before buying NIB OSHC?
Cover dates: make sure the policy covers the period required for your visa circumstances.
Who is insured: include required accompanying family members.
Waiting periods: pay special attention to pregnancy, pre-existing conditions and psychiatric treatment.
Benefits and exclusions: check hospital, medical, ambulance and prescription medicine rules.
Certificate: retain the OSHC confirmation/certificate for your visa and personal records.
Get your NIB OSHC quote
Enter your cover dates and policy type on nib's quote journey to see current pricing.
What happens when you finish studying?
If you move from a Student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485, OSHC is generally no longer the right health-cover category for the new visa. nib promotes working-visa compliant graduate cover through OVHC. Plan the transition so your student cover and new visitor cover dates align and you do not create an unintended gap.
Read our NIB OVHC for 485 Visa guide →
Frequently asked questions
Does NIB OSHC meet Student visa 500 requirements?
nib states that its OSHC meets Department of Home Affairs student visa requirements. You still need to make sure the cover dates and insured people match your own circumstances.
Can I choose my own OSHC provider?
Home Affairs guidance says education providers may arrange OSHC, but students can also choose to arrange their own compliant OSHC. Check any arrangements already made through your education provider before buying another policy.
Does NIB OSHC include ambulance?
nib currently highlights emergency ambulance as a feature of its OSHC. The applicable terms and state-based arrangements should be checked in the current product documents.
Does NIB OSHC have a pregnancy waiting period?
Current nib OSHC Core product information dated June 2026 sets out different pregnancy waiting-period treatment depending on the duration of cover. Because this is an important and potentially changing product rule, confirm the current nib document for the policy you are considering.
Can I keep NIB OSHC on a 485 visa?
When moving to a 485 Temporary Graduate visa, you generally need to move from OSHC to suitable OVHC. See our dedicated 485 guide and confirm the current visa and policy requirements.
nib – Moving to Australia to study
nib – Using your OSHC
nib – OSHC Core product summary
Department of Home Affairs – student health insurance guidance