From 1 July 2010 DIAC require overseas students to obtain OSHC for the proposed duration of their Student visa.
Where a student will be studying at more than one education provider, the requirement remains that the student must maintain health insurance for the duration of their visa. There cannot be a gap in the OSHC coverage.
If a student has already obtained OSHC for a 12 month period before 1 July they will not be asked to obtain further insurance. They will be expected to renew their policy when it expires.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is intended to assist international students to meet the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia.
A student visa can be granted up to the maximum duration outlined below:
• Visa duration is 10 months or less – The visa will usually be granted up to one month longer than the duration of the course.
• Visa duration is longer than 10 Months – The visa will usually be granted up to two months longer that the duration of the course.
• Visa duration is longer than 10 Months and finishing at the end of the Australian academic year (October – December) – The visa will usually be granted up to March 15 of the following year.
For all students submitting applications from July onwards, we will calculate the visa length and issue a statement of fees which reflects an OSHC amount as per the information above.
The start date for the OSHC will be from the course commencement date
To assist students who are now preparing to make fees payment and request their CoE’s it is advised that you contact the relevant Education Counsellor to obtain a revised statement showing the correct OSHC fees. Please ensure that this is requested prior to the student preparing their fees payment through TT or Bank Draft.
In the case where payment is received without the additional OSHC amount, the outstanding fees will be required prior to the CoE being issued
IEAA help students to get their OSHC free of any additional service charge . Should you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Additional information can be found attached or at http://www.immi.gov.au/students/_pdf/oshc-faq.pdf
