Health cover
Student visa holders
When you apply for a student visa, the Department of Immigration (DIAC) requires you to have in place adequate arrangements for health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia. Usually students are required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). At present only Norwegian students and some Swedish students do not need to obtain OSHC. See: OSHC waiver
Health insurance arrangements that are not approved by the Australia government Department of Health and Aging (DoHA) do not satisfy the criteria for the grant of a student visa.
Reciprocal arrangements
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Arrangements with a number of countries, including Great Britain, Finland, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Malta and the Netherlands. Visitors, including students, from these countries are entitled to limited subsidized health services. These arrangements are in place in addition to OSHC .
Visitors
Relatives or friends who wish to visit you while you are studying in Australia can apply for a visitor visa and need to have in place appropriate health insurance arrangements. They can obtain health insurance through a provider in their home country or in Australia. Australia also has reciprocal health care agreements in place with a number of countries. See: Cover for overseas visitors