Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Do I need OSHC?

The Department of Home Affairs requires almost all student visa applicants to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay. There are a few exceptions for students from Sweden, Norway, and Belgium, who might already have special arrangements under their respective national schemes. Visit The Department of Home Affairs website to find out more: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#Eligibility

About Bupa

Tas TAFE has partnered with Bupa as a preferred OSHC provider to help ensure your health is protected while you’re studying with us, and offer you a range of benefits. With a long history in healthcare around the world, Bupa looks after their international students to help them live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Having OSHC means you’ll be able to access healthcare while you’re studying in Australia with some or all of the costs for services and treatments included on your cover1.

Concentrate on your studies and let Bupa support you in looking after your health.

What’s included in Bupa OSHC:

  • Unlimited emergency ambulance

Bupa will cover the cost of emergency transport and on-the-spot treatment by Bupa recognised providers.2

  • Blua online doctors

Get 24/7 access to a doctor via online video call with Blua. Plus, 100% of your costs are covered by your Bupa OSHC cover. A range of languages are available.3

Book a doctor any time at blua.com.au/book

  • Unlimited cover on doctor’s consultations

Get up to 100% of the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) fee for the cost of medical services provided by doctors (GP) or specialists in or out of hospital, X-rays, blood tests and more.4

  • Pharmacy benefits

Claimup to $50 per script item once you’ve paid the PBS co-payment fee. $500 limit for singles policies for each calendar year applies, $1,000 limit for couples, single parents and family policies for each calendar year applies. 4

  • Access to Private and Public Hospitals 

In most cases you’re covered for in-patient services, accommodation and theatre fees at Members First, Network and public hospitals.5

  • Bupa-friendly doctors

A Bupa-friendly doctor is a GP that submits your claim directly to us which helps reduce or eliminate any payment on the day of your appointment. If a doctor charges more than the benefit you receive from Bupa, there may be some out-of-pocket expenses which won’t be covered by your insurance.1. For more information visit bupa.com.au/find-a-doctor.

  • 24/7 Bupa Student Advice Line

Bupa 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.6

Call the Bupa Student Advice Line on 1300 884 235.

  • Fast and easy claims

Making a claim online is fast and easy through myBupa.7 And, add a digital membership card and claim with a single tap on an iPhone, Apple Watch or Android phone7 at participating healthcare providers.

  • No waiting periods on mental health benefits

Bupa provides mental health support to students, with no waiting periods8 on mental health-related services on Bupa OSHC.

  • Life Rewards

Get exclusive rewards, deals, experiences and more – including discounts on big brands, gift cards and dining. T&cs apply. Visit www.bupa.com.au/life-rewards to learn more.

  • Support when you need it
    Bupa support team is available during regular trading hours 9 , via online Web messenger service and phone 1800 888 924. You can also talk to them in person by visiting a Bupa store.

Visit the Bupa website to learn more about Bupa OSHC or get a quote.

How to get/order my OSHC membership card?

Once you’ve arrived in Australia, you’ll need to make sure you have access to your membership card so you can use your cover.

Using your Apple or Android smartphone, you can access your Bupa membership card and use your phone to tap and claim at participating healthcare providers. 9  Find out more on how to access your card on your phone and use it to claim on the spot.

Physical membership cards are also available.

How do I make a claim?

Once you’ve received a treatment or service that’s covered by your policy,9 you might need to make a payment to the provider before you can make a claim with Bupa. To make a claim, you’ll need to:

  • Register or log in to myBupa
  • Select ‘Make a claim’
  • Fill in the details for your claim and upload a copy of your receipt
  • Review your claim and details, then submit.

Once submitted, in most cases, you’ll find out your claim outcome immediately and any eligible benefit payments will be made to your Australian bank account within 3-5 business days.

Bupa Terms and conditions:

  1. Waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply.
  2. If claimable from another source, a benefit won’t be paid by Bupa. Fund and policy rules apply.
  3. Fund and policy rules apply. 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. For Bupa international members: 100% of the costs will only be covered for Blua consultations. Yearly limits apply to Essential Lite Visitors Cover, but these limits will be waived (only in relation to Blua consultations) until further notice. Member's preferred language may not be available 24/7.
  4. Waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply. Benefit available after the co-payment has been made. Benefits for prescription items that are TGA approved, and not appearing on our exclusions list.
  5. Up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) on most outpatient medical services.
  6. Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.
  7. Digital cards may be used at HICAPS and selected Healthpoint terminals, and are compatible with Apple iOS 11 or later and Android Lollipop 5.0 or later.
  8. The standard 2-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions, ailments or illnesses of a psychiatric nature is not enforced by Bupa on Overseas Student Health Cover until further notice.
  9. Regular trading hours are from Monday-Friday 8am - 8pm (AEST/AEDT)