Meta Description: International students in Australia need reliable travel insurance. Discover affordable plans, top providers, and expert tips to get the cover you need without overpaying in 2025.
Why Travel Insurance Matters If You’re Studying Abroad
You’ve worked hard to get somewhere new—student visa, new city, new life. The last thing you want is a medical emergency abroad, a lost bag, or cancelled flights messing up everything. Travel insurance doesn’t just protect you—it protects your money, your plans, and your peace of mind.
As an international student in Australia, you already must carry Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your studies. Study Australia+1 But travel insurance layer gives you extra safety: overseas medical, luggage loss, cancellations, emergency evacuation. If you travel often—back home or around Asia-Pacific—you’ll want cover that responds when things go wrong.
Top Travel & Health + Travel Insurance Options for Students
Here are plans international students in Australia are choosing in 2025—good mix of cost, coverage, extras:
- Allianz Care OSHC + Travel Add-Ons — OSHC is mandatory, but Allianz lets you tack on extras (travel medical, emergency evacuation, baggage cover). Allianz Care Australia
- nib OSHC + nib Travel Insurance — nib offers good OSHC plans, and their travel insurance offerings cover overseas medical expenses, cancellation, luggage etc. Good option if you want one insurer and less paperwork. nib
- CBHS International Health — Known for low-cost, quality OSHC and decent service in emergencies. If you want a plan with good value and trusted reputation, CBHS is often praised. CBHS International
- Bupa OSHC — Bupa gives strong hospital & medical cover, plus options for “extras”. If you think you might want dental, optics or travel-related extras, this one gives you room to add. Bupa
- International Student Insurance (ISI) — While OSHC covers many local health needs, ISI gives you travel-insurance style cover (evacuation, repatriation, unexpected medical costs abroad) which may not be part of standard OSHC. Great for those who travel home often or to multiple countries. International Student Insurance
What to Look For: Key Features You Don’t Want to Skip
When choosing travel insurance + OSHC combos, check for these:
- Emergency Medical & Evacuation Cover — If something serious happens abroad, being flown home (or to nearest safe location) can cost thousands.
- Luggage/Personal Effects Coverage — Tech gear, suitcase, phone—these matter. If your stuff gets lost, stolen, damaged.
- Trip Cancellation / Delay Cover — If flights are delayed, or you have to cancel due to illness or critical events.
- 24/7 Emergency Support — Help when you don’t understand the system, don’t speak local language, or need urgent help.
- Visa & OSHC Compliance — Make sure your health insurance is valid for your student visa (Australia insists on OSHC whole stay). Allianz Care Australia+1
- Extras & Add-ons — Dental, optical, sports, adventure travel, repatriation. Only pay for what you need.
Approximate Costs & What to Expect
Travel insurance premiums vary, but here’s what you’ll typically see:
- OSHC alone runs depending on duration and provider. For example, single-student OSHC by Allianz Care for a 12-month student visa is a fixed rate. Australian National University+1
- Travel insurance add-ons might cost an extra AUD $50-$200/year depending on limits and how much extras you include (baggage cover, overseas medical, etc.).
- If you frequently travel home during study breaks, look for multi-trip or annual cover; may save over buying separate policies every trip.
Real Student Stories
A friend from India studying in Melbourne got OSHC + travel extras from Allianz. His camera broke, and luggage was delayed on a return flight home. Thanks to his travel insurance, he got reimbursed; without it, he would’ve had to replace gear himself.
Another student from Brazil who used nib OSHC found that their travel delay cover helped when flights were cancelled because of weather. They rebooked without huge costs.
These stories are common. And they all started with “I didn’t think I needed it until…”
FAQs for International Student Travel Insurance Australia
Q1: Do I need travel insurance if I already have OSHC?
Yes. OSHC covers many health-related costs within Australia, but it often doesn’t cover overseas travel, emergency evacuation, lost baggage, or cancelled flights. Travel insurance adds that extra layer.
Q2: Which is best: one insurer doing OSHC + travel, or separate plans?
If you can get good add-ons from your OSHC provider, that’s easier and less admin. If not, a dedicated travel insurer may offer more options.
Q3: How much travel insurance should I take?
It depends how far and frequently you travel. A good base is cover for emergency medical, evacuation, and luggage—limits around AUD $1,000-$2,000 for belongings works for many students.
Q4: Are there cheaper student travel insurance options in 2025?
Yes. Companies that allow higher excess, fewer add-ons, or cover just specific types (e.g. only medical) are often cheaper. Comparing quotes matters.
Q5: Will travel insurance affect my visa or OSHC requirements?
Not directly. OSHC is mandated by Australian student visa rules. Your travel insurance simply complements OSHC. Make sure OSHC is valid for whole visa duration. Study Australia+1
Final Takeaways
International students in Australia 2025, here’s the short version:
- Always have a solid OSHC provider. Allianz, Bupa, nib, CBHS are among the trustworthy ones.
- If you travel outside Australia or return home often, invest in travel insurance add-ons (medical, luggage, evacuation).
- Compare what’s included vs what’s excluded. Don’t buy full cover you won’t use—pay for what matters to you.
- Use tech: insurers with apps, 24/7 support, digital claims make life easier.
👉 Ready to get quotes? Start comparing OSHC + travel insurance bundles now. Lock in your coverage before you arrive or early in your stay. Protect your health, your stuff, and your journey