Australia: maintain required overseas student health cover throughout your stay
Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC, is generally a condition of Australia's student visa. Coverage must span the required stay without a gap when policies change. Lack of proof at arrival can affect admission. Accompanying family members also need the required coverage, whether through an appropriate family policy or other accepted arrangement.
What it takes
The source estimates thousands to over RMB 10,000 depending on duration and coverage. Arrange cover for the required period, including accompanying family where applicable.
What you may gain
Australia's Department of Home Affairs requires student applicants and accompanying family members to maintain OSHC throughout the relevant stay, supplied by an approved Australian insurer, unless an exemption applies. New cover must not leave a gap after cover under an earlier visa. Failure to show coverage on arrival may lead to refusal of entry. If arriving before the course starts, coverage should begin on the actual arrival date.
Context & considerations
If the institution arranges insurance, obtain the insurer's name, policy dates, and policy number for the visa application and your own records. Ensure cover extends through the required stay beyond course completion where applicable. The source's instruction that each family member buy a separate policy is better understood as requiring coverage for each person; a suitable family policy may provide that coverage.
Research & references
Australian Department of Home Affairs. Student visa, subclass 500. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500