If you are applying for or hold a Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590), appropriate health insurance can help you manage hospital and medical expenses while you stay in Australia to provide care and support to an international student.
The health insurance arrangements for a Student Guardian are different from those of the student they accompany. International students holding a Student Visa (Subclass 500) generally maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), while a Student Guardian may need health insurance appropriate to their own subclass 590 visa circumstances.
For eligible Student Guardian visa holders, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance and certain prescription medicines, depending on the policy selected.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can review nib health insurance options available for eligible Student Guardian Visa holders and compare prices, benefits and important policy features before choosing cover.
If you are looking for health insurance for a 590 Student Guardian Visa, nib offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover options for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents in Australia.
The appropriate policy will depend on your visa circumstances and healthcare needs. Before purchasing cover, confirm that the particular nib product is suitable for your Subclass 590 visa and any health insurance requirements that apply to you.
When comparing the nib options shown below, consider:
The cheapest option may not necessarily provide the most suitable cover. Compare the benefits, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses as well as the premium.
It is important to distinguish between OSHC and OVHC.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is designed for international students studying in Australia, including eligible holders of the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
A Student Guardian Visa holder has a different visa subclass and should arrange health insurance appropriate to their own visa circumstances.
For eligible Student Guardian visa holders, suitable OVHC may be appropriate. Before purchasing nib cover, confirm that the particular policy is suitable for your Subclass 590 visa.
View and compare the available nib health insurance options below.
nib offers Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents in Australia.
If you hold or are applying for a Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590), check that the particular nib policy you are considering is suitable for your visa circumstances before purchasing cover.
nib OVHC may be an option for eligible Student Guardian visa holders, depending on the particular product and your visa circumstances.
When obtaining a quote, provide your correct visa subclass 590 and check that the policy is appropriate for the health insurance requirements applying to your visa.
A Student Guardian should not automatically purchase the same OSHC used by the international student they are accompanying.
OSHC is designed for eligible international students, whereas a Student Guardian holds a separate subclass 590 visa. Eligible guardians may instead use suitable OVHC or other appropriate health insurance, depending on their circumstances.
Depending on the nib policy selected, benefits may be available towards eligible hospital accommodation and medical treatment.
Hospital excesses, waiting periods, exclusions, restrictions and other policy conditions may apply. Check the particular nib policy displayed in the comparison table before purchasing cover.
Depending on the nib OVHC product selected, benefits may be available towards eligible GP and other medical services.
The healthcare provider may charge more than the benefit payable by nib, which can result in an out-of-pocket expense.
nib overseas visitor health cover can provide benefits for eligible emergency ambulance services, subject to the particular policy terms and relevant state or territory ambulance arrangements.
Check the policy details to understand the ambulance benefits and any applicable conditions.
Depending on the nib policy selected, benefits may be available towards certain eligible prescription medicines.
Limits and member contributions can apply. If you regularly require prescription medication, check the pharmaceutical benefits of the particular policy before purchasing cover.
Treatment relating to a pre-existing medical condition may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions.
If you have an existing medical condition, check nib's applicable waiting periods, exclusions, restrictions and benefits before selecting your policy.
Pregnancy and birth-related treatment depends on the nib policy selected and applicable waiting periods.
If maternity cover is important to you, check whether pregnancy and birth-related services are included and ensure you understand the applicable waiting period before purchasing the policy.
Routine dental and optical treatment may not be included in standard hospital and medical OVHC.
Depending on the products available, additional or extras cover may provide benefits towards eligible dental, optical, physiotherapy and other general treatments.
Check the specific nib policy and any available extras options.
The price of nib health insurance can depend on the particular product and your circumstances.
Rather than choosing solely on premium, compare the nib options in the table above based on hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
You may be able to arrange appropriate health insurance in connection with your visa application before travelling to Australia.
When arranging cover, provide your correct visa circumstances and select the appropriate commencement date. Keep any health insurance documentation you may need for your visa application.
You should maintain appropriate health insurance for the period required by your visa conditions.
If Condition 8501 applies to your Student Guardian Visa, you must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance for the period required by that condition.
Holding a Student Guardian Visa does not by itself mean you automatically have Medicare.
Eligibility can depend on individual circumstances, including whether you qualify under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) or another Medicare eligibility category.
Even if you have some Medicare eligibility, check your visa conditions before changing or cancelling health insurance.
Depending on nib's policy rules, you may be able to change your level of cover after arriving in Australia.
Before changing policies, check whether new or additional waiting periods could apply and make sure you continue to maintain appropriate health insurance for your visa circumstances.
