Fees
2008 Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The Australian Government requires all international students studying in Australia on a student visa to have health insurance cover for their entire stay in Australia. Health insurance cover is also required for all family menbers residing in Australia on a dependent visa. This insurance is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Students who do not have OSHC are in breach of the student visa requirements and risk having their student visa cancelled by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
On this page you will find information on:
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Exceptions
All international students studing in Australia on a student visa are required to hold OSHC, however there are two exceptions:
- Norwegian students covered under the Norwegian National Insurance scheme are exempt from this requirement ; and
- some Swedish students who are covered by the National Board of Student Aid are exempt from OSHC.
For the OSHC requirement to be waived, Student Finance Services must sight a certificate of insurance from:
- the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme for Norwegian students; or
- CSN (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) for Swedish students.
The certificate of insurance should be presented as soon as possible after your arrival in Australia. OSHC is available for other Nowegian and Swedish students who require cover, contact Student Finance Services for advice.
Flinders University Preferred Health Care Provider
The preferred provider of OSHC at Flinders University is OSHC Worldcare. Please refer to their website for information on:
- what OSHC Worldcare does, and does not, cover;
- information on your OSHC Worldcare policy and policy documents;
- how to find a doctor in your local area who accepts OSHC Worldcare cards; and
- health and safety information.
Flinders University organises health insurance cover with OSHC Worldcare for all international students studying in Australia on a student visa .
If you have chosen another provider, please make sure that you maintain health cover for your entire stay in Australia. Soon after your arrival in Australia, you must provide Student Finance Services with proof of your health cover with another provider.
Student Finance Services will note this on your student account and you will not be charged for OSHC by Flinders University.
IMPORTANT - if you have alternative health insurance cover, do not use your OSHC Worldcare card if you visit a doctor. You may not be eligible for a full waiver of the OSHC fee if you have used your OSHC Worldcare card.
Length of Cover
Commencing students
New students commencing a course at Flinders University will be required to purchase Visa Length cover to ensure you have OSHC for your entire stay in Australia. If you extend your studies in Australia, you will need to renew your OSHC to cover the extended visa period.
Continuing students
If you do not have Visa Length cover, it is your responsibility to renew the cover to the full visa period. Contact Student Finance Services before the expiry of your cover to extend your policy. There are discounts available for continuing students who purchase extended length cover in excess of 12 months.
Cost of Cover
The 2008 OSHC Worldcare rates are:
| |
6 months |
1 year |
2 years |
3 years |
| Single |
$185 |
$370 |
$705 |
$1058 |
| Family |
$370 |
$740 |
$1410 |
$2117 |
A full price list is available on the OSHC Worldcare website.
Frequently asked questions
What is Overseas Student Health Cover?
Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC, is a health insurance that provides cover for the basic costs of medical treatment, hospital care, pharmaceuticals and emergency ambulance transport.
Do I need OHSC?
Yes, you do, if you are studying in Australia on a student visa.
It is a Visa requirement that all international students studying in Australia on a student visa, and family members residing in Australia on a dependent visa, have OSHC for the duration of their visa. If you do not have OSHC for your entire stay in Australia, you are in breach of your visa conditions and risk cancellation of your visa. Norwegian students holding health insurance with the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme and Swedish students holding insurance from the Swedish National Board of Student Aid are the only international students exempt from OSHC, see Exemptions for further information.
Flinders University requires all international students to purchase OSHC for the full length of their visa. If you chose to purchase health insurance cover from a provider other than OHSC Worldcare, you must supply Student Finance Services with proof of that cover in order to have your OHSC fee waived.
Health insurance cover is necessary for peace of mind - medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive.
Who is eligible for OSHC?
International students studying in Australia on a student visa and their family members on a dependent visa are eligible for OSHC.
How long do I have to be covered?
The Australian Government requires that you have continuous OHSC for the entire length of your stay in Australia. New students commencing a course at Flinders University are required to purchase Visa Length Health Cover.
What is covered under my policy with OSHC Worldcare?
OSHC Worldcare covers the basic medical services at a public hospital. It covers 24 hour emergency telephone assistance service, and 100% of the Australian Government's recommended fees for a doctor's visit. For further details, please refer to the policy document on the OSHC Worldcare website, or phone OSHC Worldcare on 13 14 84 (local call charge within Australia).
What is Student Plus OSHC?
Student Plus health insurance is to cover services such as dental, optical, chiropractic , physiotherapy and treatment of pre-existing conditions which are not covered under the standard OSHC Worldcare policy. Student Plus health insurance will incur an additional fee on top of the standard policy. Further information is available on the OSHC Worldcare website.
Can I speak to someone from OSHC Worldcare 'face to face' ?
Yes, a OHSC Worldcare representative is available on campus in Room B9 (Lower Undercroft Level, Union Building), directly opposite the Office of Research. The OSHC Worldcare office is open on:
- Wednesdays from 10am-2pm
- Fridays from 1.30pm-3.30pm
I am a new student and haven't received my OSHC Worldcare card. How do I obtain my card?
You must register online to receive your OSHC Worldcare membership card. Email instructions on how to do this will be sent from OSHC Worldcare to your Flinders email account. Follow the instructions and register online to receive your OSHC Worldcare card. OSHC Worldcare online registration guidelines are also included in your Orientation pack, or you can collect a copy from the International Student Support Unit (ISSU), or Student Finance Services in the Student Centre.
I have lost my card. Can I get a replacement?
Yes! Replacement cards can be ordered online. Log on to the OSHC Worldcare website, update your address details and order a new card. It's very easy!
I have paid for my cover but have not received my card. I need to see a doctor, what do I do?
Visit Student Finance Services in the Student Centre. If you have already paid for your cover we will write a letter confirming that you have valid health cover. This will allow you to see one of the doctors in Flinders University Health & Counselling without paying up-front fees. Other medical practices are likely to require you to pay the fee up-front. You will then need to claim a refund from OSHC Worldcare.
I have paid to see a doctor. How do I make a claim from OSHC Worldcare to get the money back?
In most cases you are required to pay the bill and then submit a claim to OSHC Worldcare to receive your refund. You may find that some medical practices or doctors charge more than the refund payable, in this case you are required to pay the difference.
To make a claim:
- visit the OSHC Worldcare representative on campus and use the Cash Claim service to redeem cash claims under $75.00 at Australia Post offices. Claim forms for amounts above $75.00 can be obtained from the OSHC Worldcare representative.
- visit the OSHC Worldcare website and complete an electronic claim form. It is important that you keep a copy of all your invoices and receipts. You must submit all original receipts and/or invoices and any other relevant documents, as requested.
- call the OSHC Worldcare claim hotline on 1800 651 349 (free call within Australia).
What is Direct Billing?
Direct Billing occurs when your doctor charges OSHC Worldcare directly. In this case, you do not have to pay your doctor up-front. You will need to show the doctor your valid OSHC Worldcare card and amount of your service covered by the policy will be charged directly to OSHC Worldcare.
How do I find a doctor who will Direct Bill?
The doctors in Flinders University Health & Counsellng will direct bill OSHC Worldcare. Check the OSHC Worldcare website for other doctors in your local area who will direct bill.
My family has just arrived in Australia and I need to organise health cover for them. What should I do?
To organise health cover for your family, call in to Student Finance Services in the Student Centre with your:
- current OSHC Worldcare card; and
- the passports and visas for yourself and all your family members who will be living in Australia on a Dependent Visa.
Student Finance Services will organise health cover for your family.
My visa has just been extended and I need more health cover. What should I do?
Bring your passport and visa to Student Finance Services in the Student Centre and staff will organise to extend your health cover.
I have two OSHC policies at the same time. One was organised by Flinders University with OSHC Worldcare, the other was organised by myself (or via my agent) with another health care provider. What should I do?
You do not need two OSHC policies active at the same time. It is entirely your choice who you use to provide your health insurance cover.
If you wish to keep the policy with the other health care provider, you must supply proof of your insurance cover to Student Finance Services as soon as possible after your arrival in Australia. Student Finance Services will arrange for the OSHC Worldcare policy to be refunded, however you must ensure that you do not use your OSHC Worldcare card if you visit a doctor. You may not be eligible for a refund if you have used your OSHC Worldcare card.
I am going home during the break. Can I receive any credit?
Within 30 days of your return to Australia bring your:
- valid OSHC card, and
- passport with an arrival stamp in it, or your airline ticket
to Student Finance Services in the Student Centre and apply for Holiday Credits. If your application is approved, your policy will be extended for the period you were out of Australia. You will receive a new card with an extended policy.
What do I do if my policy has lapsed?
It is a condition of your student visa that you have continuous OSHC for your entire stay in Australia. If your policy has expired, you must make a renewal payment for the lapsed period. Please note that no claims will be honoured by OSHC Worldcare for the lapsed period.
Example: Your health insurance cover expires on 22 February 2008. On 20 April 2008 you apply to renew your cover for 12 months. In order to meet the compulsory continuous cover condition of your visa, you will be required to pay a 14 month premium. This includes the period from February to April 2008, and the 12 month premium from April 2008 to April 2009. Please note that you will not be able to make any claim for the lapsed period, even though you must pay the premium for this period.
Can I ask for a refund if I am leaving Australia before my OSHC expiry date?
Yes. You can ask for a refund for the unused portion of your policy. You can contact OSHC Worldcare directly, or ask Student Finance Services to organise the refund for you. Refunds are calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis, with a minimum refund of one month. You cannot make a refund request if you have less than one month of unused policy remaining.
Example: Your policy expires on 31 January 2008 and you are leaving Australia on 14 January 2008. Less than one month of policy remains and you are not entitled to a refund.
I am studying at Flinders on a non-student visa but I still want to arrange health cover. What do I do?
For some visa types Student Finance Services may be able to organise health cover with OSHC Worldcare. Contact Student Finance Services for more information.
What if I obtain Permanent Residency? Do I still need OSHC?
If you obtain a Permanent Resident visa then you do not require OSHC. You may be eligible for health cover insurance with Medicare Australia. Visit the Medicare Australia website for more information or contact an insurance provider for private health cover.
Where can I obtain more information on Overseas Student Health Cover?
You can obtain more information on Overseas Student Health Cover from the:
How do I contact Student Finance Services?
| Location: |
Student Finance Services
In the Student Centre on the main campus, next to the University Sports Centre. |
| Mailing Address: |
Student Finance Services,
Flinders University,
GPO Box 2100,
Adelaide SA 5001 |
| Phone: |
(08) 8201 3143 or 1300 360 351 (local call charge in Australia) |
| Fax: |
(08) 8201 2580 |
| Email: |
fees@flinders.edu.au |
| Web: |
http://www.flinders.edu.au/fees |
June 2008 |
