Studying in Australia is like a dream come true; it is one of the top educational destinations for international students worldwide, and there is much more to explore apart from academic institutions.
People worldwide came to Australia to work and settle down permanently. Students choose Australia to pursue their further studies not only because of its top educational institutions but also because of the standard of living, rich culture, employment opportunities, etc.
What are the Steps to Apply for Admission?
Some of the common steps to apply for admission are as follows:
- Search for university/college and the program/courses
- Contact the university/college or visit the website for more information
- Take a notepad and write down the selected universities name and course name
- Take the entrance exams like GMAT, GRE, PTE, IELTS, etc.
- Write the SOPs and arrange the LORs
- Fill out the application for the selected program
- Prepare for a video interview with the university that shortlisted you
- If got the acceptance then apply for the student visa
International students applying for their Australian. student visa must maintain adequate health insurance, known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), for their entire stay in Australia.
The overseas student health cover is one of the required documents at the time of visa application declared by the Australian Government. Those who do not have an OSHC policy are not eligible to apply for a student visa. However, international students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden are not required to buy OSHC because of the agreement between the Governments.
So! Knowing about the health insurance policy and how it works is important as an international student.
What is OSHC Policy?
The OSHC policy is designed to cover international students’ hospital and medical expenses in case of getting sick or mishap while staying in Australia.
The primary benefits of having an OSHC policy include doctor visits, some hospital treatments, medications and ambulance cover during the entire stay in Australia.
Who can Purchase OSHC Policy?
The OSHC policy can be purchased by international students and their dependents. The OSHC policy comprises three covers, singles (the student visa holders), couples (the student visa holder and one partner or recognised de facto partner) and family (the student visa holder, one partner and dependent children under the age of 18).
Who are the OSHC Providers?
Many educational institutions are associated with OSHC providers, but international students do not get the chance to compare the policy with others because educational institutions are only associated with one OSHC policy provider. So, as an international student, it is your work to know about the policy and policy provider to buy the suitable one according to your comfort.
There are multiple OSHC policy providers; some of the leading providers are:
What is the Cheapest OSHC Policy?
Many international students do not pay attention to their policy benefits; they purchase the policy without comparing and researching because of they are in a hurry to process their visa applications and end up without knowing about the benefits of the policy.
It is important for every international student to enhance knowledge and compare before buying a health insurance policy. Most international students go for the cheapest OSHC policy.
What Will Happen If Someone Forgets to Renew their OSHC Policy?
If OSHC expires while staying in Australia under a student visa, a person can renew their OSHC policy, but they need to pay for the time they did not have a cover. Also, a person cannot have any benefits during that time.
How to Renew OSHC Policy?
A person can renew their OSHC policy via:
- Online –Â one can prepay using a credit card.
- Educational institution campus –Â on behalf of a health insurance company, some educational institutions receive the OSHC prepayment.
- Post –Â one can send the printed renewal form with a money order/cheque by post.
After this, a person will receive a new membership card along with the new expiry date; then, they can extend or apply for a new student visa through the Department of Immigration.
Please note:Â Overseas students must renew or extend their OSHC policy before expiry to avoid breaching visa condition 8501. If they forget to renew or extend their visa before the due date, they must also renew their visa after renewing or extending their OSHC policy.
Can International Students Change their OSHC Policy Provider?
Yes! International students can transfer their OSHC policy to different policy providers, but some providers ask for refundable transfer fees, and some do not. It is always better to know about the policy providers and the services they provide in the OSHC policy than buy the most suitable one.
What are the Requirements for a Student Visa?
Here are some of the basic requirements; a person must follow while applying for a student visa.
- Check for all the essential documents (the original and photocopies both carried)
- Offer letter from Australian educational institution, CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) and accommodation details
- Meet the GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) requirements
- English language proficiency test (PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
- Payment Receipts (tuition fees, health cover, living expenses, etc.)
- Educational (mark sheets & certificates), work experience letters (if any), identity proof (passport, birth certificate), passport size photographs, credit card, international driving license (optional), health & character certificate, etc., are required.
- Proof of adequate health insurance (OSHC)
Conclusion
It is not tough to study in Australia, but a person must enhance their knowledge and follow the application process step by step. In the application process, do not forget to buy adequate health insurance. The OSHC policy helps people study and live in Australia stress-free and focus on the other relevant things. A person must remember their OSHC policy due date and renew or extend it on time to avoid breaching visa condition 8501. If a person is unsure where to buy the policy at the most affordable price. They can take guidance and services from Budget Policy. The Budget Policy is a third-party company providing high-quality services to their clients at lower than the market price.
