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Whether you’re continuing study, starting a job, or applying for permanent residency, it’s important that you stay covered.
Get a quoteIf you’re planning on enrolling in a new course, you’ll need to extend your student visa by going through the same process as when you originally applied.
This includes purchasing an OSHC policy that covers you for the full duration of your new course.
We love it when international students decide to call Australia home!
The Department of Home Affairs website lists the different visas you can apply for to become a permanent resident and begin your journey to Australian citizenship.
If you’ve decided to start a career in Australia, you’ll need to apply for a working visa.
To be eligible for a working visa, you need a different type of health insurance known as Overseas Visitors Cover (OVC).
If you’ve purchased Overseas Visitors Cover (OVC) and are waiting for the results of your working visa application, it’s possible you’ll be paying for two active health insurance policies at the same time.
If you need medical help during this period, we recommend you keep using your OSHC policy until it expires.
OSHC and OVC are different types of health insurance. This means you’ll automatically receive a new membership number and a new membership card when you switch to OVC.
You’ll be able to keep using the same myBupa account, as long as you’ve set up your digital identity.
No. If you switch to OVC, we’ll take into account any waiting periods you’ve already served on your previous policy.
However, if your new policy includes services that you weren’t previously covered for (or a higher level of cover for services which were included in your earlier policy), then yes, you’ll need to serve waiting periods for those services.
Of course! We’re happy to help you make the switch to Bupa – simply get in touch.
When you change providers you should receive a clearance certificate. We’ll use this to waive any relevant waiting periods you’ve already served on your previous policy (if you’ve switched to Bupa on an equivalent or lower level of cover, and within 60 days of your previous cover’s end date).
Get a detailed breakdown of your policy’s benefits and learn more about the Australian healthcare system.
OSHC brochure (PDF, 1.4MB)Explore help topics and find answers to common questions from other international students.
Read FAQs
Our overseas student support team is available Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm AEDT.
Within Australia
1800 888 942
Outside Australia
+61 3 9937 4223
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
You can also visit a Bupa store in person.
# Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.
^ Fund and policy rules apply. 100% of the cost will only be covered for Blua consults. Members will only be able to book general consultations via Blua. Consultations with specialists cannot be booked via Blua. Members who are under 18 years old may need to attend the consultation with a parent or guardian.
