International students on an Australian student visa must maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with an approved provider at all times.
International students on an Australian student visa must maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with an approved provider at all times.
To apply for an Australian student visa, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requires you to show proof of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) when you apply for your student visa. OSHC is a type of health insurance that helps cover medical costs while you’re studying in Australia. International students and their dependents must maintain valid OSHC for the entire duration of their student and student dependant visas.
Please refer to the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Fact Sheet on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.
The fact sheet provides:
Your offer letter includes a Medibank Comprehensive OSHC premium, calculated based on your course and visa length. You can pay this premium with your deposit when you accept your offer and RMIT will arrange your OSHC on your behalf.
If you choose to arrange your own OSHC with an Australian health insurance provider, you will need to provide the details of your cover to RMIT. We won’t be able to issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) until we receive this information.
If you're a Masters by research or PhD student, your student visa is generally granted with an additional eight months. This additional time is included to allow you to stay in Australia for the interactive marking of your thesis. Because of this longer stay, it’s important to make sure your OSHC covers the entire length of your visa, including the extra eight months.
You do not need to purchase OSHC if you are:
International students who are not on a student visa are strongly encouraged to purchase personal health cover for their time in Australia. Medibank also offers Overseas visitors Health Cover.
Medibank representatives are available on campus to support you with:
You can find a Medibank representative at:
Contact the Medibank team through Whatsapp or web messaging for advice and help with your cover, whether you're already a member, or looking to join.
Call 134 148 between 8am and 8pm (AEST), Monday to Friday, for help with your OSHC.
If you're a Medibank OSHC member in Australia, you can call 1800 887 283 to get access to a range of services that include:
Enter your address or location to find information about opening hours and contact details of the closest Medibank stores to you.
Manage your membership online, make contact with a health advice line and find your closest healthcare provider with the Medibank OSHC app.
The Medibank representative on-campus support at Student Connect will not be available from Monday, 15 December 2025 to Friday, 16 January 2026.
If you need assistance during this time, please visit the Medibank Central Store at 305 - 307 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000.
A Medibank representative will be available at RMIT UP on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
RMIT students can access medical care close to campus on Swanston Street, near QV and Melbourne Central.
Learn about student visa requirements you must maintain while you study in Australia.
The steps to accept your offer may vary. We’re here to guide you through the steps of accepting your offer.
Disclaimers:
^ For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required, and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.
*Medibank Comprehensive pays 100% of the cost of eligible prescription medicines after a $30 member contribution amount, up to annual limits of $500 for Single policies or $1,000 for non-Single policies. Medibank Essentials OSHC pays up to $70 of the cost of eligible prescription medicines after a $30 member contribution amount, up to annual limits of $300 for Single policies or $600 for non-Single policies.
** The facility fee may not include all services provided and out-of-pocket expenses may apply such as for x-rays, blood tests and any charges raised by the doctor above the benefit we pay.
Please see your Comprehensive OSHC Cover Summary for more details.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
More information
