student visa

Last updated 4 November 2026

If you’re planning to study in Australia, 2026 has brought some of the biggest Student visa changes in years. Some of them, like the higher visa fee, affect almost everyone. Others, like the new rules on bringing a partner or children, could change your whole plan.

We help students with visas, courses and health cover every day, so we’ve pulled the official updates together in one place and explained what each one means for you in plain English. Rules can change quickly, so always check the Department of Home Affairs before you apply. If you’d like a hand with your own plans, you can contact our team for free advice.

What changed and when

Partners and children: the biggest change

From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants can no longer include their partner or dependent children in their application. This applies to first applications and to further Student visas. Source: Department of Home Affairs.

You may still be able to include family if you are:

• studying a PhD
• sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence
• receiving a fully funded foreign government scholarship
• an eligible national of a Pacific country or an ASEAN member country

There is also one rule with no exceptions at all: nobody can add family members after their Student visa has been granted. If an exemption applies to you, your family has to be in the same application, lodged from the same location, at the same time.

Already here with your family? Families already together in Australia won’t be split up. If your partner or children were included on your visa (or visa application) when the rules changed on 2 October 2026, and you’re eligible to apply for a further Student visa in Australia, you may be able to include the same family members again.

Applied before 2 October 2026? Your application will be assessed under the old rules, including any family members you listed.

What this means for you

If you’re planning to come to Australia with a partner or kids, check whether an exemption applies before you enrol or pay anything. If it doesn’t, your family would need to look at a different visa, and that’s a conversation worth having with a registered migration agent. Not sure where you stand? Talk to our team and we’ll help you work out your options.

Applying for a Student visa while in Australia

From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders can’t apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. This now includes Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, on top of the Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders who were already blocked in 2024. If you have to apply from outside Australia, you must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Source: Study Australia.

Current Student visa holders are mostly affected too. According to Home Affairs, you can only apply for another Student visa in Australia if you:

• need up to 12 more months to finish your studies with the same provider
• have finished your main course and are moving up to a higher level course
• are affected by your provider closing down (provider default)
• are applying for a PhD, or primary or secondary school studies
• are sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence

If you use the course progression exemption, you can only be enrolled in one future course when you apply, so packaged courses (for example a Graduate Certificate followed by a Master’s) would need to be applied for from outside Australia.

What this means for you

If you’re in Australia now and your visa is ending, plan early. If you need to apply offshore, prepare your documents before you leave so your time away is as short as possible. Your current visa isn’t affected by these changes.

Changing providers and courses

As a transition measure from 2 October 2026 until 30 June 2027, students (other than school students) must stay in their principal course for 12 months before transferring to another provider. It used to be 6 months. Transfers are still possible in exceptional circumstances or if a provider or course stops being registered. Source: Minister for Immigration.

From 1 July 2027, the government plans a new Student visa transfer stream. Students changing providers would need a new visa before starting at the new provider, and transfers would only be allowed to the same level or a higher level of study. You’ll also no longer be able to come to Australia for higher education and then switch to a VET course. Details are still being developed, so watch for updates.

What this means for you

Choose your first course carefully, because switching to a cheaper or lower level course once you arrive is getting much harder. Our guide to the cheapest courses in Australia for international students is a good place to compare options before you commit.

Higher visa fees

From 1 July 2026, the Student visa fee for most main applicants went up from $2,000 to $2,500 (Study Australia). A lower charge (the previous fee plus a yearly CPI adjustment) still applies to:

• passport holders from ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam)
• passport holders from eligible Pacific countries and Timor-Leste
• students applying for standalone English (ELICOS) or non-award courses

The Temporary Graduate (485) visa fee also rose from $4,600 to $5,750. For the full breakdown, see our FAQ on how much a Student visa costs in Australia, or use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

How much money you need to show

Home Affairs currently lists 12 months of living costs as $29,710 for a student. If you are eligible to bring family, it’s $10,394 for a partner and $4,449 for each child, plus at least $13,502 a year for each school age child. You also add your first 12 months of course fees and travel costs. As an alternative, you can show that your parents or partner earned at least $87,856 in the 12 months before you apply ($102,500 if family members are coming).

Our FAQ on Student visa financial capacity walks through it step by step.

Student numbers: the National Planning Level

The government has set a National Planning Level of 295,000 new international student commencements for 2026, and confirmed the same level for 2027. It’s not a hard cap. It’s used to decide processing priority: applications for a provider are processed as high priority until that provider reaches 80% of its allocation, and more slowly after that. Any genuine student who meets the visa requirements can still apply and be granted a visa. TAFE students will be exempt from the planning level in 2027. Source: Study Australia.

In practice, this means processing times can depend on how busy your chosen provider is, so apply well before your course starts.

What hasn’t changed

• Work hours: you can still work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session (no limit for master’s by research and PhD students). See our work limits FAQ.
• Genuine Student requirement: you still need to show that studying is the main reason for your visa, answering questions of up to 150 words each in your application. More in our Genuine Student FAQ.
• Health insurance: you still need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay.

What the changes mean for your OSHC

Holding OSHC is a condition of every Student visa, and the new rules affect the kind of cover you’ll need.

• Coming on your own? Because most students can no longer include a partner or children, you’ll most likely need single OSHC rather than couple or family cover.
• Already here with family on your visa? If you’re applying again and your family is included, keep your couple or family cover going with no gaps. Our guide to OSHC for couples and families compares the options.
• Applying from outside Australia? Your cover must start on the day you arrive, not the day your course starts, and you can be refused entry if you can’t show it.
• Applying in Australia? Your new OSHC must follow your old cover with no gap.
• Need a few extra months to finish? If you’re using the 12 month extension exemption, extend your OSHC to match your new visa. For short programs, see OSHC for short courses.

Not sure which insurer to pick? Our checklist for comparing OSHC providers and our cheapest OSHC guide explain what to look for, or you can compare OSHC prices on our calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Need help with your plans?

These changes can feel like a lot, especially if you have family or you’re already in Australia. Study Anywhere offers free advice on courses, visas and OSHC, so get in touch with our team and we’ll help you work out your next step. For complex situations, especially anything involving family members or visa refusals, we recommend speaking to a registered migration agent.

This article is general information, not legal or migration advice. Rules change often, so please check the Department of Home Affairs for the latest requirements before you apply. Last updated 4 November 2026.

Cover photo by 天玑 不器 on Pexels.

Every OSHC policy has to meet the same government standard, so it’s tempting to just grab the cheapest one and move on. Price matters, but a few minutes of checking can save you money and hassle later. This checklist walks you through how to compare OSHC providers properly, using real 2026 prices from the four insurers on OSHC Australia. Prices updated 10 November 2026.

Disclosure: Study Anywhere may earn a commission if you buy OSHC through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Prices through our link are the same as on OSHC Australia’s own website.

Which OSHC providers can you compare?

Only government-approved insurers can sell OSHC. On OSHC Australia you can compare four of them side by side:

• Allianz Care (shown under the Worldcare logo on OSHC Australia)
• AHM OSHC
• Bupa
• Medibank

A couple of other approved insurers, such as nib and CBHS International Health, also sell OSHC directly. They’re not in our price data, so if you want to check them too, get a quote from their own websites.

The OSHC comparison checklist

1. Choose the right cover type

Single, couple (also used for a single parent with one child) or family. Get this wrong and the price comparison means nothing. Couple and family prices vary much more between insurers than single prices do, so see our guide to OSHC for couples and families if you’re bringing anyone with you.

2. Match the length to your visa, not your course

Your OSHC needs to cover your whole visa period, which usually runs past your course end date. On a short course that often means one extra month. Our guide to OSHC for short courses and English classes explains how to work it out.

3. Compare the total price for that exact length

Prices don’t scale perfectly by month, and the cheapest insurer can change with the length. For a single student, here’s 12 months of basic cover starting 1 December 2026:

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

For other lengths and cover types, our OSHC price calculator shows every insurer for 1 to 60 months.

4. Check specialist cover

All four cover GP visits at 100% of the MBS fee. For specialists, Allianz Care, AHM and Medibank pay 85% of the MBS fee, while Bupa pays 100%. If you have a condition that needs regular specialist visits, that difference can be worth more than a small price gap.

5. Look at prescription limits

Basic OSHC only covers a limited amount of prescription medicine, usually up to about $500 per person each year, with a co-payment on each script. If you take regular medication, check the exact limit in each policy summary.

6. Understand the waiting periods

Most policies have a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy. These are broadly the same across insurers, but read the details if either applies to you.

7. Think about everyday convenience

Ask yourself how you’ll actually use the cover. Is there a direct billing GP clinic near your campus? Can you claim through an app? Is help available in your language? These things vary between insurers and can make life easier when you’re feeling unwell.

8. Know what basic OSHC doesn’t cover

Basic OSHC doesn’t include dental, optical or physio. If those matter to you, you’d need separate extras cover, so don’t pick an OSHC policy expecting them.

Common mistakes when comparing OSHC

• Assuming your school’s OSHC is the only option. You don’t have to take the policy your provider offers. You can buy your own and give them the details.
• Comparing 12-month prices when you need 18. Always compare the exact length you need.
• Forgetting about switching. You can change insurer later, as long as there’s no gap in cover.
• Missing a current discount. AHM and Medibank have a limited-time discount. T&Cs apply. Our discount guide shows what it’s worth.

Want the short version? Our cheapest OSHC in Australia guide sums up who’s cheapest for singles, couples and families. You can also head to the Study Anywhere homepage to explore courses and student support.

Comparing OSHC providers: frequently asked questions

Related OSHC and Student visa guides

• OSHC price calculator: compare OSHC for 1 to 60 months
• Cheapest OSHC in Australia: 2026 prices compared
• OSHC for couples and families
• OSHC for short courses and English classes
• AHM and Medibank OSHC discount
• What is OSHC and how long should your cover be?
• How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?

Source and method: prices are totals in Australian dollars for basic OSHC, quoted on OSHC Australia on 10 November 2026 for cover starting 1 December 2026. Prices can change, so always check your quote before you pay. Cover details come from each insurer’s policy summary and the Department of Health OSHC fact sheet. This guide is general information, not insurance or migration advice.

Cover photo by Neon Wang on Unsplash.

AHM and Medibank are currently offering a limited-time discount on OSHC bought through OSHC Australia. It’s a real saving, but it’s not the same for everyone, and for some students another insurer is still cheaper. This guide shows exactly what the discount is worth for singles, couples and families, so you can decide with real numbers. Prices updated 10 November 2026.

Disclosure: Study Anywhere may earn a commission if you buy OSHC through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Prices through our link are the same as on OSHC Australia’s own website.

What is the AHM and Medibank OSHC discount?

• AHM OSHC: 3.1% off eligible policies.
• Medibank: 5% off eligible policies.
• Where: when you buy through OSHC Australia.
• T&Cs apply.

On our OSHC price calculator you’ll see these prices marked with a Limited-time discount badge while the offer runs. The discount is taken off the price of the same basic OSHC policy, so the cover itself doesn’t change and it still meets the Student visa requirement.

What the discount saves single students

For single students the discount makes a real difference, because it pushes AHM ahead of Allianz Care, which would otherwise be the cheapest.

AHM OSHC, single cover

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Medibank, single cover

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

For a 12-month single policy, the discount saves $21.12 with AHM and $35.95 with Medibank. That brings AHM to $660.28, just under Allianz Care at $665. Medibank at $683.05 is still a little dearer than both, and Bupa is $713.

So for most single students, AHM is the cheapest option while the discount lasts, but only by a few dollars over Allianz Care. If you prefer Allianz or Bupa for other reasons, such as Bupa covering specialists at 100% of the MBS fee, the price gap is small enough that it’s worth weighing up.

Does the discount help couples and families?

A little, but not enough to beat the cheapest insurers. AHM and Medibank couple and family prices start well above Allianz Care and Bupa, so even after the discount they stay higher.

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

For a family, Medibank’s discount saves $811.96 on a 12-month policy, but Allianz Care is still $5,912.19 cheaper. If you’re buying for more than one person, read our guide to OSHC for couples and families before you decide.

Do you need to rush?

No. Get your CoE and check your visa dates first, then pick the right cover length. Buying a cheaper policy that’s the wrong length can cost you more in the end, so get the length right first.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The discount applies to eligible policies only, and T&Cs apply. Check the price in your quote before you pay.
• Prices in this guide are for cover starting 1 December 2026. A different start date or length will give a slightly different price.
• The discount is for a limited time. When it ends, AHM and Medibank go back to their regular prices.

Is the cheapest OSHC always the best choice?

All basic OSHC policies meet the same government standard, so you’re not getting worse visa compliance by choosing the cheapest. There are small differences, though, in specialist cover, prescription limits and how easy claims are. Our checklist for comparing OSHC providers walks through what to look at, and the cheapest OSHC in Australia guide has the full price picture.

AHM and Medibank OSHC discount: frequently asked questions

Related OSHC and Student visa guides

• OSHC price calculator: compare OSHC for 1 to 60 months
• Cheapest OSHC in Australia: 2026 prices compared
• OSHC for couples and families
• OSHC for short courses and English classes
• How to compare OSHC providers
• What is OSHC and how long should your cover be?
• How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?

Source and method: prices are totals in Australian dollars for basic OSHC, quoted on OSHC Australia on 10 November 2026 for cover starting 1 December 2026. Prices can change, so always check your quote before you pay. Discount details are from the offer shown on OSHC Australia on 10 November 2026. Cover details come from each insurer’s policy summary and the Department of Health OSHC fact sheet. This guide is general information, not insurance or migration advice.

Cover photo by Derek McDonald on Unsplash.

Coming to Australia for a short English course or a single semester? OSHC for a short stay is far cheaper than a full degree’s worth of cover, but it’s easy to buy the wrong length. Too short and your visa application can stall. Too long and you’ve paid for months you’ll never use. Here’s how to work out how many months you need, with real prices for 3 to 9 months of cover. Prices updated 10 November 2026.

Disclosure: Study Anywhere may earn a commission if you buy OSHC through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Prices through our link are the same as on OSHC Australia’s own website.

Do you need OSHC for a short course?

It depends on your visa, not on the course itself.

• Student visa (subclass 500): yes. OSHC is a condition of the visa, whether your course is 12 weeks of General English or a four-year degree. You need cover for the whole time your visa is valid.
• Visitor visa: a visitor visa generally lets you study for up to 3 months in total. OSHC isn’t a visa requirement here, but you should still have travel or visitor health insurance.
• Working Holiday visa: this generally allows up to 4 months of study. Again OSHC isn’t required, though good travel insurance is a smart idea.

Visa rules change, so always check the conditions on the Department of Home Affairs website or ask a registered migration agent. If you’re planning to stay longer than a visitor or Working Holiday visa allows, a Student visa is usually the way to go, and our team can help you find a course on the Study Anywhere courses page.

How many months of OSHC do you need?

This is where most short course students get caught out. Your OSHC needs to cover your visa period, not just your course dates, and the visa usually runs a little longer than the course.

As a general guide, if your course is 10 months or shorter, the Student visa is often granted for about one month after the course ends. So a 6-month English course usually means around 7 months of OSHC. Longer courses get a longer buffer after the course end date, especially if the course finishes late in the year.

The exact dates come from Home Affairs, so treat this as a starting point. Before you apply, check your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) dates, and once your visa is granted, make sure your policy end date matches or goes past your visa expiry. If it doesn’t, you can extend your policy.

OSHC prices for 3 to 9 months

Here’s what basic single OSHC costs for common short course lengths, for cover starting 1 December 2026.

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

So for a typical 6-month English course with around 7 months of cover, you’re looking at between $385.13 (AHM OSHC) and $416 (Bupa). The difference between the cheapest and dearest option is about $31 for exactly the same visa-compliant basic cover.

The AHM and Medibank prices include a limited-time discount for eligible policies bought through OSHC Australia for a limited time. T&Cs apply. Without it, Allianz Care would be cheapest at these lengths. Our AHM and Medibank discount guide has the details.

Doing English first, then a diploma or degree?

Lots of students do a few months of ELICOS before moving into a VET or university course. If both courses are on the same CoE package, your visa usually covers the whole package, and your OSHC needs to match that full visa period.

That can push you well past 12 months. In that case it’s worth checking longer lengths in our OSHC price calculator, which shows prices for 1 to 60 months. Our cheapest OSHC guide covers 12-month prices in detail.

Extending your stay later

If you decide to stay on for another course, you’ll need a new Student visa and OSHC that covers it. You can extend with your current insurer or switch to a different one. Either way, make sure the new cover starts the day after your old cover ends so there’s no gap. Switching insurers is fine as long as there’s no break in cover.

Quick checklist for short course students

1. Check which visa you’re on and whether OSHC is required.
2. Work out your likely visa end date, not just your course end date.
3. Compare prices for that exact number of months.
4. Remember basic OSHC doesn’t include dental, optical or physio.
5. Buy before you lodge your visa application, as you’ll need the policy details.

Bringing your partner along? Have a look at our guide to OSHC for couples and families, because couple prices work quite differently.

OSHC for short courses: frequently asked questions

Related OSHC and Student visa guides

• OSHC price calculator: compare OSHC for 1 to 60 months
• Cheapest OSHC in Australia: 2026 prices compared
• OSHC for couples and families
• AHM and Medibank OSHC discount
• How to compare OSHC providers
• What is OSHC and how long should your cover be?
• How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?

Source and method: prices are totals in Australian dollars for basic OSHC, quoted on OSHC Australia on 10 November 2026 for cover starting 1 December 2026. Prices can change, so always check your quote before you pay. Visa length guidance is general and based on Department of Home Affairs information; your visa grant letter is what counts. Cover details come from each insurer’s policy summary and the Department of Health OSHC fact sheet. This guide is general information, not insurance or migration advice.

Cover photo by Queensland Australia on Unsplash.

Moving to Australia with your partner or kids is a big step, and OSHC is one of the first bills you’ll see. Couple and family cover costs a lot more than single cover, and the gap between the cheapest and dearest insurer is much bigger too. On a 12-month family policy it’s more than $5,912. This guide shows what couple and family OSHC costs for common cover lengths, who comes out cheapest, and what to check before you buy. Prices updated 10 November 2026.

Disclosure: Study Anywhere may earn a commission if you buy OSHC through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Prices through our link are the same as on OSHC Australia’s own website.

Who needs couple or family OSHC?

If your partner or children are on your Student visa as dependants, they need OSHC for the whole time they’re in Australia on that visa. Most students buy one policy that covers everyone, rather than separate policies for each person.

New rules from 2 October 2026: most new Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children. Exemptions include PhD students, DFAT or Defence sponsored students, foreign government scholarship holders and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. Family members can’t be added after a Student visa is granted, and families already on a Student visa can stay together on a further application. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 follow the old rules. Source: Department of Home Affairs. For everything else that changed this year, see our guide to Australia Student visa changes in 2026.

On OSHC Australia there are three cover types:

• Single: just you.
• Couple: you and your partner. The same price also applies to a single parent with one child.
• Family: two parents with one, two or three children. If you’re a single parent with more than one child, choose the cover type carefully when you get your quote, and ask the insurer if you’re unsure.

Not sure what OSHC is or how long your policy should be? Start with our OSHC explainer, then come back here for prices.

Couple OSHC prices for 2026

Here’s what basic couple cover costs with each insurer for cover starting 1 December 2026. Prices are totals for the whole policy, not per month.

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The pattern is easy to spot. Bupa is cheapest for couples on shorter policies, up to 8 months, for example $2,764 for 6 months. From 9 months onwards Allianz Care takes over, and for 12 months it’s $5,351 compared with $7,126.61 for AHM. That’s a difference of $1,775.61 for the same visa-compliant basic cover.

Family OSHC prices for 2026

Family cover is where shopping around matters most. The prices below are for two parents with up to three children.

Quote buttons are partner links to OSHC Australia. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Allianz Care is the cheapest family OSHC at every cover length in our data. For a 12-month policy it’s $9,515, while Bupa is $13,692, AHM is $15,092.76 and Medibank is $15,427.19. On a two-year policy the gap grows to more than $16,800.

What about the AHM and Medibank discount?

AHM and Medibank currently have a limited-time discount when you buy an eligible policy through OSHC Australia for a limited time. T&Cs apply. The prices above already include it. It’s genuinely useful for single students, but for couples and families Allianz Care and Bupa are still cheaper even after the discount. Our guide to the AHM and Medibank OSHC discount shows exactly how much it saves.

Tips before you buy couple or family cover

1. Match your visa dates. Your policy needs to cover the full visa period for everyone on it, not just your course dates. Check the dates on your visa grant or your CoE before you choose a length.
2. Plan for a partner who arrives later. If your family will join you after you start, talk to your insurer about upgrading from single to couple or family cover so there are no gaps.
3. Pregnancy has a waiting period. Most OSHC policies have a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy and pre-existing conditions. If you’re planning a baby, read the policy details carefully.
4. Know what’s not included. Basic OSHC covers GP visits at 100% of the MBS fee and a share of specialist fees, plus limited prescriptions. It doesn’t cover dental, optical or physio.
5. You don’t have to take your school’s OSHC. Your provider may offer a policy, but you can usually buy your own and give them the details.

For a full side-by-side of single, couple and family prices, see our cheapest OSHC in Australia guide. If you’re still choosing between insurers on things other than price, our checklist for comparing OSHC providers walks you through it.

OSHC for couples and families: frequently asked questions

Related OSHC and Student visa guides

• OSHC price calculator: compare OSHC for 1 to 60 months
• Cheapest OSHC in Australia: 2026 prices compared
• OSHC for short courses and English classes
• AHM and Medibank OSHC discount
• How to compare OSHC providers
• What is OSHC and how long should your cover be?
• How much does an Australian Student visa cost in 2026?

Source and method: prices are totals in Australian dollars for basic OSHC, quoted on OSHC Australia on 10 November 2026 for cover starting 1 December 2026. Prices can change, so always check your quote before you pay. Cover details come from each insurer’s policy summary and the Department of Health OSHC fact sheet. This guide is general information, not insurance or migration advice.

Cover photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash.