For overnight or same-day hospital stays.
What your OSHC covers
Learn about the hospital and medical treatments you can receive with Bupa Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Hospital expenses covered
Accommodation
Inpatient fees
Operating theatre, intensive care, and labour ward fees.
Medication
Provided as part of your hospital treatment under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Health services
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other allied health services provided in hospital.
Prostheses
Surgically implanted prostheses in accordance with the minimum benefit published on the Australian Government’s List of Medical Devices and Human Tissue Products.
Private room
A private room for your hospital stay, where available and clinically appropriate. Conditions apply. Contact us for details.
Medical expenses covered
Doctors and specialists
Each doctor or specialist will charge a fee for their services. This also includes most tests, including blood tests and x-rays.
In Australia, there is a set fee for each medical service, called the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. If your doctor charges you 100% of the MBS fee, then your OSHC will cover the cost in full. If your doctor charges more than 100% of the MBS fee, you may need to pay the difference.
Outpatient pharmacy
You may be prescribed pharmacy items by a doctor, specialist, or when you have visited hospital without being admitted.
After paying the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) co-payment fee, you can claim:
- up to $50 per prescription item
- with a limit of $500 per person
- up to $1,000 per policy, per calendar year.
Emergency ambulance
You can claim for emergency ambulance transportation and on-the-spot treatment by our recognised providers anywhere in Australia.
Non-emergency ambulance transport is not covered by your OSHC.
Check the Important Information Guide (PDF, 2.8MB) for more information on your included ambulance cover.
What's not covered
Some expenses aren’t covered by your OSHC, including:
- procedures not approved by the Medical Services Advisory Committee
- procedures not recognised by Medicare
- cosmetic surgery (that is not clinically necessary and where benefits are not payable by Medicare)
- non-emergency ambulance
- assisted reproductive services
- experimental treatment
- repatriation
- respite care
- services such as dental check-ups, physiotherapy, podiatry, and chiropractic consultations.
We may not pay some or all of the costs for other services. Refer to the Important Information Guide (PDF, 2.8MB) or get in touch to check whether a service is included in your cover.
Healthcare anytime, anywhere.
Bupa International members can access a range of digital health services like 24/7 online doctors*, chemist delivery and more with Blua.Â
*Yearly service limits apply.
Waiting periods
Once you arrive in Australia, you may need to wait up to 12 months before you can claim on certain expenses.
Your Bupa membership card
You need your OSHC membership card to access your health cover at hospitals and clinics. To order a physical membership card, sign in to myBupa, go to ‘Cover’, then ‘Order a membership card’.
If you have an Android or iOS smartphone, download the myBupa app to access your digital membership card today.
More information
Important Information Guide
A detailed look at what’s included with your OSHC.
Help and support
Phone
Our overseas student support team is available Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm AEDT.
Within Australia
1800 888 942
Outside Australia
+61 3 9937 4223
24/7 Student Advice Line
Provides general advice and assistance in 150 languages, for a range of situations including medical, home, property inquiries and more. Just call 1300 884 235 (our 24 hours student advice line) if you find yourself in a situation where you need some guidance or support.#
Within Australia
1300 884 235
Get help or send documents through WhatsApp messaging.
Monday to Friday 7am -12am
Saturday to Sunday 8am - 10pmÂ
All times in AEDT
Or scan QR code
Other contact options
You can also visit a Bupa store in person.
# Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.