OSHCstudents – As an International Student, you need OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) to meet the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia. If you are considering falling pregnant whilst studying in Australia, it is important to understand OSHC policies well including pregnancy related services (including childbirth).
Any pregnant woman is able to access care for herself and her baby in Australia during pregnancy, birth and afterwards. However, if you are a visitor, student or newly arrived in Australia, the cost of your care will depend on the status of your visa or residency. If you are holding student visa, please note the below information:
In Australia, pregnancy care is provided by midwives, doctors, and obstetricians and you may choose to use publicly funded or privately funded care.
However it is important to understand that for non-emergency hospital care, including maternity (pregnancy) services, access to some medical services in some public hospital may be limited. This means that public hospital services for non-emergency care, including maternity (pregnancy) services, may not be available to you when you need them. In these instances, you may be required to access medical services through a private hospital. Private hospital health care will typically incur some out of pocket costs that are not covered by your Overseas Student Health Cover policy and will be your responsibility. Please note that for maternity (pregnancy) services, these out of pocket costs could range from $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the level of maternity service/care provided.
OSHC will cover your pregnancy related expense
Check your current OSHC policy :
If you are on the single or single parents policy, you’ll need to upgrade to family policy. This will increase the amount you pay for your OSHC policy.
*Note:
– If you add your partner or your children to your Single policy, the amount you pay for OSHC will be increased.
– If you add more children to your Couple policy, the amount you pay for OSHC will be increased.
– If you add more children to your Single Parent or Family policy, the amount you pay for OSHC will NOT be increased.
When you have to upgrade your policy?
You’ll need to upgrade your policy within 60 days of your baby’s birth date.
Waiting period for pregnancy:
Waiting periods start from the day of arrival in Australia on a student visa.
For the first 12 months after your arrival in Australia, you are not covered for pregnancy related conditions.
OSHCstudents will support you
Adding your baby to your policy
Once your baby is born, contact your OSHC provider to add them to your policy. Alternatively login into your member account on the website and add the dependent onto your policy.
You must add your baby within 60 days of their birth date to avoid waiting periods and to make sure your baby is covered for any medical services they may need.
Contact us for further information:
Email: info@oshcstudents.com
Hot line: +61 2 8123 0900/+61 2 8123 0901
OSHCstudents team
