OSHC

Overseas Student Health Cover

Fact Sheet
 Welcome to nib
As an international student coming
to Australia to study we understand
that purchasing health insurance is
probably the last thing on your mind.
We can make the process easy for
you by providing health insurance for
peace of mind to make the most of
your time in Australia.
At nib, we believe that health cover
should be easy to use, easy to
understand and most of all good value.
Why over 1 million customers trust nib
in Australia and New Zealand
Over 60 years experience
in providing health cover
Dedicated Customer
Service Team
Easy mobile claiming
24 hour Online Services

Contents
Why I need
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) 3
OSHC?
It is a condition of your
nib OSHC 4
student visa to hold OSHC.
nib Online Services  6

Seeking medical treatment 7 The information contained in this product information

brochure is current as at 1 January 2018. This brochure is a
summary of the key features of the OSHC Policy Terms and
Healthcare in Australia 8 Conditions and should be read in conjunction with the OSHC
Fund Rules, which are available at nib.com.au/oshc or by
calling 1800 775 204. Please read this brochure and keep
a copy for your records. Rules and benefits may change
from time to time.

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Overseas Student
Health Cover (OSHC) 01
SECTION
As you are aware international nib OSHC provides peace of
students who wish to study in mind in knowing that you are
Australia are required as part covered for those unexpected
of their visa application through health needs.
the Department of Home Affairs
(DHA) to show proof they have
purchased OSHC.
Who can be covered
under nib OSHC
Singles – cover for only you.

nib OSHC Couples – covers both you and your

partner if they live with you in Australia
Meets the DHA visa requirements and are listed on your student visa.

Provides cover for medical and
Families – covers you, your partner
hospital treatment if you get sick
and any dependent children aged under
or have an accident while you are
18 living with you in Australia and listed
studying in Australia
on your student visa.

Covers you Australia wide for
emergency ambulance transport

If you have any questions please call 1800 775 204

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 nib OSHC
02
SECTION
Medical services covered in-hospital Medical services covered out-of-hospital
Public hospital Specialist services
100% of the State and Territory health authorities’ 85% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
rate for public hospitals includes: for specialist services and treatment to support
Shared ward accommodation day-to-day health needs, usually as requested
Theatre fees and same-day services by a doctor such as:
Accident and emergency services Pathology
Post-operative services and related medical Diagnostic imaging
treatments which do not require a hospital stay Radiology

Private hospital* MRIs

100% of the contracted rate for nib Agreement MRI scans are only payable by nib if all three (3)
Private Hospitals includes: of the following criteria are met:
Private or shared room accommodation T
 he MRI must be referred by a registered specialist
Theatre fees and same-day services medical practitioner and
Accident and emergency services The MRI must be listed on the Medicare Benefits
where applicable Schedule (MBS) and have an eligible Medicare
Item Number and
The MRI must be performed on a Medicare
Eligible MRI Unit by a Medicare eligible provider.

Medical Services Doctor visits

100% of the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
fee for medical treatment provided in a hospital fee of service for consultations with a doctor for
includes: day-to-day health needs.
Doctors Specialists If your doctor charges more than the recommended
Pathology Diagnostic imaging MBS fee you will be required to pay the difference.

You are covered for a wide range of services with Prostheses

nib OSHC for services in-hospital, out-of-hospital 100% of the benefit covered for approved surgically
and Extras cover. implanted prosthetic devices as determined by the
Federal Government

Prescription medication
Limit of $50 per prescription item listed on the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), after you pay
the PBS Patient contribution.
$300 yearly limit for singles
$600 for couples and families
Benefits are for prescription items listed on the PBS only.

Emergency ambulance
100% of medically necessary transport provided by
a State and Territory Ambulance Service

This product information is intended as a summary only and should be read in conjunction with the OSHC Fund Rules. *If you choose to be treated
4 in a private hospital with which nib does not have a provider agreement, you will be required to pay any difference between the nib OSHC Core
benefit and the hospital accommodation cost charged to you by the hospital. Visit nib.com.au/oshc
 Waiting periods
Waiting periods apply if you are
new to health insurance.
You need to serve the waiting
periods before you are entitled to
receive the benefits below.

Pregnancy and birth related

services – 12 months
Pre-existing conditions –
12 months
Psychiatric services – 2 months

Out Of Pocket Expenses

You may have out of pocket
expenses if you are treated in a non
nib Agreement Private Hospital or
for expenses not covered under
your policy. To help you understand
your out of pocket expenses please
call 1800 775 204 or visit
nib.com.au/oshc

Exclusions
Exclusions are services not covered under surgery, laser eye surgery and
your health cover. You will not receive a experimental surgery. 
benefit for the services listed below.
T
 reatment outside of Australia or
Infertility treatments like assisted
 en route to or from Australia.
reproductive services or in-vitro
Transportation into or out of Australia.

fertilisation and secondary conditions
related to infertility treatments. Treatment arranged before arriving

in Australia.
Extra services such as treatments by

a dentist, physiotherapist or any other Services and treatments that are

Extras service provider. covered by compensation or damages
of any kind (like workers compensation
Services not covered by Medicare
 or third party insurance).
and therefore not attracting MBS item
numbers such as non-government For a full list of Exclusions please refer to
approved MRI scans, cosmetic the nib OSHC Fund Rules.

This product information is intended as a summary only and should be read in conjunction with the OSHC Fund Rules.
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 nib Online Services
03
SECTION
nib Online Services
Our Online Services makes it easy for you to manage and access your health cover
at anytime and anywhere. To register for nib Online Services visit nib.com.au

Update your contact details e.g. your Australian address and bank account details
View your health cover and what you are covered for
Submit a claim
View your claims history
Order a replacement customer card

Claim in a snap
with the nib App.
Available for iPhone®, iPad® and Android ™

■ D ownload the free nib App today

■ Upload a photo of your official provider receipt
■ Benefit is paid directly into your bank account

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of

Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc.

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Seeking medical treatment
04
SECTION
When to see a doctor or specialist
If it is not an emergency and you are feeling unwell visit your local doctor. In Australia
a doctor is called a GP (or ‘General Practitioner’). A GP can prescribe treatments or
medicines. A GP may refer you to a specialist for further investigations or treatment.

Not sure who to see?

The nib First Choice Network is a community of health professionals including GPs
and specialists designed to give you peace of mind and help keep your out of pocket
expenses low. You can find a provider at nib.com.au/find-a-provider

What if it is a medical emergency?

In the event that you have a medical emergency for example a life threatening illness
or a serious injury that needs immediate attention, then you should go to the nearest
hospital emergency department. If your condition is serious and you cannot get
yourself to a hospital, call ‘000’ for an ambulance.

Healthdirect Australia
Provides access to health information
and advice over the phone. To talk to
a registered nurse call Healthdirect
Australia on 1800 022 222 or visit
healthdirect.gov.au for health
information. Available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Healthdirect Australia does not provide
a health diagnosis and does not replace
the services of a doctor or hospital
emergency department.

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 Healthcare in Australia
05
SECTION
We understand that health care systems are different all around the world, that’s
why it’s important as a visitor to Australia that you understand how the Australian
healthcare system works.
The Australian healthcare system has two main components; the public health care
system provided by the Australian government and the private health care system
which is made up of private hospitals, private health insurers (including nib) and
other health providers.

The public health care Can I access Medicare?

As a general rule international students
system and Medicare do not have access to Medicare
Medicare is the government body that benefits. That is why the Australian
administers the public health care system, government had mandated that as a
which provides high quality health care condition of your student visa you are
(either free or low cost) for Australian required to hold OSHC.
citizens, permanent residents and
If you are from Norway, Sweden
individuals who come from countries that
or Belgium you may not be required
have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement
to purchase OSHC as your country
with Australia. Medicare covers treatment
has alternative health agreements
in a public hospital, medical costs and
with Australia.
certain pharmaceutical medicines.
To understand the requirements of your
Medicare does not cover services such
student visa and OSHC, please visit
as dental, optical, ambulance transport
homeaffairs.gov.au
or treatment in a private hospital. To
have cover for these services individuals
Obtaining Interim or Permanent
purchase private health insurance,
Residency
such as provided by nib.
If you obtain interim or permanent
To learn more about the Australian Australian residency, please seek advice
health care system and Medicare, regarding your visa requirements before
please visit humanservices.gov.au making any changes to your health cover.

If you have any questions please call 1800 775 204

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Overseas Students Health Cover
International students may be required to purchase an OSHC
policy that matches the benefits of Medicare. By holding an
nib OSHC policy you not only receive these essential medical
services but also have access to treatment in a private
hospital and ambulance transport.

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 Notes

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Need help?
Call us on 1800 775 204
Mon to Fri: 8:30am – 6pm (AEST)
Go to nib.com.au/oshc
nib health funds limited abn 83 000 124 381 Head Office 22 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 2300

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