Country information Australia
Health insurance for foreign students in Australia
Studying in Australia is smart for many reasons. Australia is the third most popular destination for students from around the world. Of course Australia’s high learning quality is the main reason for international students to study in Australia. The higher education system in Australia is ranked on place eight in the Universitas 2012 U21 Ranking. With over 2,200 courses across 1,100 institution the range of educational opportunities is amazing. Further eight out of the 100 best universities worldwide are located in Australia.
Australia’s popularity among international students is also affected by the countries high living standard, the rich nature and the multiethnical culture. Many students plan to extend their stay in Australia and try to find a job in Australia or start an internship in Australia.
Eligible group
If you want to study in Australia you will need the Student visa. It is designed for students in Australia who want to study at a registered education institution. The visa allows you to stay in Australia as a student for the duration of your course. You might extend your stay for a further study, for graduation, for a holiday, for work and for migration. You have to meet following requirements:
- you must been accepted to study full-time at an educational institution in Australia
- you must have sufficent English language skills
- you must prove sufficent funds to support yourself and acompanying family members during your stay abroad (course fees, travel costs, living costs)
- you must meet the health and character requirements
- you must have adequate health insurance cover
Here you can find further information on the Student visa.
Legal basics about health insurance for students in Australia
The student visa sets a health insurance requirement. Overseas students who undertake formal studies in Australia must take out Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). There are only a few insurers that offer the OSHC.
There are some exeptions for students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden. Here you can find further informations on the OSHC exeptions.
The minimum each OSHC insurer must provide are the following benefit:
- the benefit amount listed in the Medicare Benefits shedule (MBS) fee for out of hospital medical treatments
- 100% of the MBS fees for in patient medicat treatments
- private hospital shared ward accomodation
- day surgery accomodation
- some prosthetic devices
- ambulance services
- pharmaceutical benefits up to $50 per pharmaceutical item to a maximum of $300 a year for a single membership ($600 for a family membership)
The Australian government warns overseas students about significant out of pocket costs, if the students do not have appropriate coverage for treatment with pharmaceuticals.
Insurance advice
Every country has its own healthcare system. On the basis of characteristics like your home country, the duration of your stay, the reason of your stay and the destination of your trip different needs for health insurance appear. Our organistion recommends Care Concept AG from Germany for health insurance solutions abroad. Click here for further informations about Care Concept AG.
As an Student in Australia you are not covered though the satutory healtcare system of your home country. Further you generally do not have access to Australia statutory healthcare system Medicare during your stay in Australia. Since you are responsible for all medical costs that occur during your saty, we recommend to take out an international health insurance.
Students in Australia that will enter the country with a Student Visa must take out special international health insurances called OSHC. Please contact us via EMAIL for detailed informations and insurance recommendation.
There are some exeptions for students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden. Here you can find further informations on the OSHC exeptions.
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