Do I need an OSHC policy number for PRISMS if my school arranged it?
If an education provider arranged a student’s OSHC, the policy number may be omitted from the visa application; students who arranged their own OSHC must include it.
The Department of Home Affairs guidance on education provider responsibilities says you do not need to include an OSHC policy number on your Student visa application if your education provider arranged the cover. You must include the number if you arranged your own OSHC. The same guidance notes that a Student visa holder in Australia without health insurance breaches visa condition 8501, even before the course starts (information checked 1 October 2026).
Is the policy number a PRISMS or visa application requirement?
The stated policy-number rule applies to the Student visa application form. PRISMS has a related but separate function: the education provider must declare on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) whether it arranged OSHC. If it did, the provider must select “yes” and enter the insurance start and end dates.
The provider must also make you aware of the insurer’s name, the policy dates and the policy terms and conditions. Use the insurer name and OSHC dates disclosed with your CoE to check the policy number against your policy documents.
How do I know whether I should include the policy number?
An education provider is not required to arrange a student’s health insurance, although many providers collect premiums and arrange OSHC on students’ behalf. The decisive question is therefore who arranged the coverage.
| Who arranged the OSHC? | What goes on the Student visa application? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Your education provider | The policy number may be omitted | Check the insurer name and OSHC start and end dates disclosed with the CoE against your policy documents |
| You | The policy number must be included | Check the insurer name, policy number and coverage dates, and keep evidence of the policy |
If the CoE does not make the arrangement clear, ask your education provider to confirm it before submitting the application.
Which OSHC dates should match the policy?
The policy should cover the period required for your stay in Australia, not merely the dates on which classes run.
| Situation | Date to check |
|---|---|
| Starting OSHC | The cover must start on your date of arrival in Australia |
| Arriving before the course begins | The start date must match your arrival date, not the course start date |
| Finishing OSHC | Cover must remain in effect until you leave Australia or move to a non-student visa |
| Buying cover before the course | Depending on your circumstances, OSHC starting up to one month before the course may be purchased |
You must not enter Australia before your OSHC starts, and you must maintain the cover until you leave Australia.
What if my course is packaged?
If your education provider arranged OSHC only for the part of a packaged course studied at its institution, you must provide evidence that you have arranged OSHC for the remaining period of your stay. If you personally arranged the remaining cover, you must include its policy number on your Student visa application.
Why should I check the insurer name, dates and policy number together?
The Department says this information is needed to complete the visa application and may also be needed if you make a claim before the course begins. It also says a student’s visa may be refused if the required information is not provided on the visa application.
Before submitting, check the following:
- Whether your education provider or you arranged the OSHC
- The insurer name disclosed with your CoE
- The exact policy number
- The policy start and finish dates
- Your expected arrival and departure dates
- Whether a packaged course leaves any part of your stay uncovered
- The policy terms and conditions
The Department says providers usually communicate the terms through a copy of the product disclosure statement or a link to the insurer’s website. Read those documents rather than relying only on the CoE.
Who can help if the details do not match?
Ask the education provider to confirm the OSHC arrangement and dates recorded through PRISMS. Ask the insurer to confirm the policy number and insurer details if the policy record differs. For help using PRISMS, the Department directs users to the PRISMS User Guide or PRISMS Help Desk.
This is general information rather than advice about a particular visa or policy. Check your policy documents and the Home Affairs guidance for your current visa circumstances before submitting.
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FAQ
If my school arranged the OSHC, can I leave the policy number blank?
Yes. You do not need to include the policy number on your Student visa application when your education provider arranged the OSHC. You should still check the insurer name and dates disclosed through the CoE.
What if I arranged my own OSHC?
You must include the policy number on your Student visa application. Make sure it matches the insurer name and coverage dates in your policy documents.
Does OSHC have to start on the course start date?
No. If you travel to Australia before the course begins, OSHC must start on your arrival date. Depending on your circumstances, cover starting up to one month before the course may be purchased.
What if my school only covers part of a packaged course?
You need evidence of OSHC for the remaining period of your stay. If you arranged that remaining cover yourself, include its policy number on your visa application.
What should I check before submitting my application?
Check who arranged the policy, the insurer name, policy number, start and finish dates, any uncovered part of a packaged course, and the policy terms and conditions. Also check the Home Affairs guidance relevant to your visa.