Document Guide

Health Insurance Certificate

The certificate that proves a health insurance policy covers the student

Last updated Oct 28, 2026

Educational only — not legal advice.

What it shows

A health insurance certificate is the proof that a policy covers the student for the stay. For an Australian Student visa the cover is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved Australian insurer. Whatever the route, the certificate or the insurer's confirmation shows the insurer, the policy number, the people covered and the start and end dates.

Strong vs. weak

Strong

Names the insurer and the policy number
Names the people covered, including every family member who is applying
Start and end dates that cover the whole stay
Issued by an insurer the route accepts

Weak

Travel insurance presented as student health cover
Cover that starts after arrival or ends before the visa would
A policy that leaves out a family member who is applying too

How to prepare it

Check the policy dates against your course dates and the length of the visa
Make sure every person coming along is named on the policy
Check which insurers the route accepts before you buy
Keep the certificate or confirmation with the rest of the application

Common mistake

Presenting travel insurance as student health cover. Travel insurance is not Overseas Student Health Cover.

Where this evidence is used

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