Health Insurance

The Migration Regulations require all Student Visa holders to have adequate arrangements in Australia for health insurance. Overseas Student Health Cover is a special health insurance satisfying this requirement and offered by Medibank Private.

Education institutions must ensure that OSHC is organised for students and that cover is paid for, and effective from their date of arrival in Australia.

Medibank Private OSHC premiums for 1997 for students entering Australia after 1 January 1997 and for those whose cover expires after that date are:

OSHC includes cover for pregnancy services for students who will be in Australia more than three months. It applies also to students who originally were in Australia for three months or less and have extended their visas.

When an international student is approaching the end of his or her course and where the OSHC renewal will definitely be their last, the premium can be paid for up to a maximum period of 18 months. If travelling on a different visa, it is wise to purchase travel or private medical insurance. A premium must be paid to cover each period of authorised stay in Australia.

Private students' premiums are paid by their education institution. Government sponsored students' premiums are paid by the sponsoring government agency.

OSHC membership must be confirmed with Medibank Private on arrival in Australia. Contact a Medibank customer service centre and complete the OSHC application.

Students must have OSHC to cover the full period of stay in Australia. This means that cover must be renewed on re-enrolment or each 12 months. Benefits will not be paid during any period when membership lapses. Medibank Private notifies the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs if OSHC is not paid. This can jeopardise a student's current visa and any chances for extensions
of the visa.

Visas

Student visas will only be issued to students undertaking registered full time courses. Students usually lodge their visa application after they have enrolled in an educational institution. Visas are issued for the length of the study program. Application forms and information about particular institutions and visa arrangements can be obtained from the closest Australian Education Centre or Australian Diplomatic mission.

Depending on the length of stay and the study program, students are issued with one of the following types of visa:

• student;
• occupational trainee;
• working holiday;
• tourist; or
• business.

• produce a Letter of Offer showing acceptance into a full time study program;
• prove they have adequate means of financial support and that they have their return airfare;
• produce a medical report endorsing their good health;
• provide proof of having obtained OSHC;
• produce evidence of their good character; and
• intend to leave Australia when they have completed their studies.

• the student must leave Australia when the visa has expired. It is invalid for permanent residency;
• students must satisfy course requirements;
• while studying students must not work in paid employment for more than 20 hours a week; and
• health insurance must be paid for the full stay in Australia.
• The visa may be cancelled and the student forced to leave if any of these conditions are broken.

Students should not pay any course fees until they are advised that their visa has been issued. Australian diplomatic missions will advise students when to confirm their enrolment.

Legal protection and tuition assurance

Australia has laws that ensure courses are approved and students' funds are protected. Many Australian private institutions are members of Tuition Assurance Schemes that ensure students can complete their courses.

Australia encourages international students to inquire about institutions' educational credentials and arrangements for safekeeping of their fees. Australian law compares favourably with other countries in protecting students.

Institution prerequisites

Many education institutions require students to provide proof of their education. It is best to contact the individual institutions to obtain a list of their specific requirements.

For formal academic courses it is usually necessary to provide evidence of English language ability. Again, contact the institution for specific requirements.