CBHS OSHC Is No Longer Sold to New Members: What Existing Students Need to Do

Short Answer

CBHS International Health has confirmed it no longer sells OSHC or OVHC policies to new members. Existing CBHS OSHC policyholders — students who already hold an active policy — remain covered for the full duration of their current policy period, subject to the same terms and conditions as when they purchased. However, when your CBHS policy reaches its expiry date, you cannot renew it. You will need to purchase a new OSHC policy from one of the five providers that are still actively selling OSHC: ahm, Allianz Care Australia, Bupa, Medibank, or nib. The key priority for existing CBHS members is to arrange a new policy with a start date that aligns exactly with your CBHS expiry date — no gaps — to preserve your waiting periods and maintain compliance with Student Visa Condition 8501. This article explains what CBHS still covers, when you need to act, and how to switch without losing continuity of cover. All information is based on CBHS International Health’s public announcements and Fund Rules effective 1 April 2026.

What Has Happened at CBHS

CBHS International Health is (or was) one of the six providers listed on the Australian Government’s PrivateHealth.gov.au OSHC page. It is the international health insurance arm of CBHS Health Fund, a not-for-profit private health insurer serving the Commonwealth Bank Group and associated communities. In 2024–2025, CBHS International Health began winding down new OSHC and OVHC sales.

As of July 2026, the CBHS International Health website states explicitly that it is no longer accepting new OSHC or OVHC members. The government’s official OSHC page continues to list CBHS among the six providers, creating a dated-source conflict — the government page has not been updated to reflect the sales status change. For practical purposes, students should treat the number of actively selling OSHC providers as five, not six.

CBHS has not announced that its insurance licence has been withdrawn or that existing policies have been terminated. The provider remains regulated by APRA and continues to service existing members’ claims and enquiries. The change is in sales only — not in claims servicing.

What Existing CBHS OSHC Policyholders Still Have

If you hold an active CBHS OSHC policy, your cover remains in force for the remainder of the policy period. Based on the CBHS International OSHC Fund Rules effective 1 April 2026, your policy covers:

1. Public hospital treatment as a public patient: fully covered, including accommodation, nursing, theatre, and ICU.
2. GP consultations: covered at 100% of the MBS fee.
3. Specialist consultations (with GP referral): covered at 85% of the MBS fee.
4. Pathology and diagnostic imaging: covered at 100% of the MBS fee.
5. Prescription medicines (PBS-listed): covered with an annual limit per the Fund Rules and a per-prescription cap.
6. Emergency ambulance: covered Australia-wide with no dollar limit.
7. Inpatient psychiatric treatment: covered, subject to waiting periods.
8. Pregnancy and obstetrics: covered, subject to a 12-month waiting period.
9. Extras: if you purchased optional extras cover (dental, optical, physiotherapy), those benefits remain subject to the same annual limits and waiting periods.

Your waiting periods continue to accrue, and you can continue to lodge claims through CBHS’s existing claims channels. There is no change to how your current policy operates during its term.

What Happens When Your CBHS Policy Expires

The critical point: when your CBHS OSHC policy reaches its natural expiry date, you cannot renew it. CBHS is not issuing new policies or extending existing ones beyond their original term.

This means you have three obligations as your expiry date approaches:

1. Purchase a new OSHC policy from one of the five actively selling providers before your CBHS policy expires.
2. Ensure the new policy’s start date aligns exactly with the CBHS policy’s end date — no gaps, not even a single day.
3. Update your visa record via ImmiAccount with the new policy certificate.

If you allow your CBHS policy to expire without having a new policy in place:

• You will be in breach of Student Visa Condition 8501 (which requires continuous OSHC cover while in Australia).
• Any waiting periods you have accrued will be lost, and you will start from zero with your new provider.
• You may face difficulties obtaining a Clearance Certificate from CBHS for a lapsed policy.

How to Switch from CBHS to Another Provider

Follow these steps to switch from CBHS to a new OSHC provider without any gap in cover:

Step 1: Confirm your CBHS policy expiry date. Check your policy certificate, CBHS member portal, or contact CBHS member services to confirm the exact expiry date. This is the date your new policy must start.

Step 2: Request a Clearance Certificate from CBHS. Contact CBHS member services and request a Clearance Certificate (sometimes called a Transfer Certificate). This document states:

• Your policy start and end dates
• The waiting periods you have already completed
• The date your cover ends

CBHS is obliged to provide this certificate. Do this at least 2 to 3 weeks before your expiry date to allow for processing time.

Step 3: Choose and purchase a new OSHC policy. Select a provider from the five actively selling: ahm, Allianz Care Australia, Bupa, Medibank, or nib. When purchasing, specify the start date as the day after your CBHS policy expires. Do not select a start date that leaves a gap, even for one day.

Step 4: Provide the Clearance Certificate to your new provider. Submit the CBHS Clearance Certificate to your new insurer so they can recognise your completed waiting periods. Most providers allow you to upload this during the online purchase process or through their app afterwards.

Step 5: Update your visa record. Log into ImmiAccount and update your health insurance details with the new policy certificate. This is a visa condition — failure to update does not automatically void your visa, but it means the Department of Home Affairs does not have your correct insurance information on file.

Step 6: Confirm your old policy has ended. After your new policy is active, verify with CBHS that your old policy has concluded and that any applicable pro-rata refund has been processed (if you are cancelling early rather than reaching the natural expiry).

Timeline: When to Act

The urgency depends on how close your CBHS policy is to its expiry date:

1. Policy expires in more than 3 months: You have ample time. Research providers at your own pace and purchase a new policy 2 to 4 weeks before expiry.
2. Policy expires in 1 to 3 months: Start the switch process now. Request your Clearance Certificate from CBHS immediately, as processing may take 1 to 2 weeks. Begin comparing providers.
3. Policy expires in less than 1 month: Act immediately. Request your Clearance Certificate today. Purchase a new policy as soon as possible. If processing delays threaten a gap, contact your chosen new provider — many can issue cover with a backdated start date in limited circumstances.
4. Policy has already expired: You are in breach of Condition 8501. Purchase a new OSHC policy immediately. You will lose all previously accrued waiting periods. Contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent for advice on your visa situation.

Which Provider Should You Switch To

There is no single “best” provider — the right choice depends on your circumstances. Consider these factors when choosing:

1. University partnerships: check whether your university has a preferred OSHC provider. Using the university’s preferred provider can simplify on-campus health service access and claims.
2. Provider network in your area: use each provider’s website or app to search for GPs and hospitals near your residence or campus.
3. Extras needs: if you need dental, optical, or physiotherapy cover, compare extras packages. nib offers a four-tier structure with built-in extras; other providers offer standalone extras add-ons.
4. Digital experience: if you prefer app-based claims and management, compare the digital platforms offered by each provider.
5. Language support: if you prefer support in a language other than English, check whether the provider offers multilingual services (Bupa, for example, offers multilingual app and phone support).

FAQ

Q1: Why has CBHS stopped selling OSHC to new members?

CBHS International Health has not publicly disclosed a detailed reason for ceasing new OSHC and OVHC sales. It is not unusual for private health insurers to enter or exit niche product lines based on commercial considerations. CBHS International Health remains a regulated APRA entity and continues to service existing members. The cessation affects new sales only.

Q2: Can I just wait and hope CBHS resumes sales before my policy expires?

This is not advisable. CBHS has indicated the cessation is ongoing, and there is no announced timeline for resumption, if any. If your policy expires without a replacement, you lose continuity of cover and breach your visa condition. The safest course is to switch to an actively selling provider before your CBHS policy expires.

Q3: Will I get a refund if I leave CBHS before my policy expires?

Yes. If you cancel your CBHS OSHC policy before the expiry date, you are entitled to a pro-rata refund of the unused portion of your premium, less any applicable administration fee. The refund is calculated by remaining days, not months. Contact CBHS member services to initiate cancellation and refund. Do not cancel until your new policy is confirmed and active.

Q4: Can I switch to a provider my friend recommends without comparing all five?

You can, but it is worth comparing at least two or three providers to ensure the one you choose covers what you need. Each provider’s network, extras offerings, and claims process differ. A provider that works well for a friend in Sydney may not have the same network coverage in your city. Use an OSHC comparison tool to check real-time policy details across providers.

Q5: What if I am a new student and never had OSHC before — can I still get CBHS?

No. CBHS is not accepting new OSHC members. If you are a new international student arriving in Australia, you must purchase your first OSHC policy from one of the five actively selling providers: ahm, Allianz Care Australia, Bupa, Medibank, or nib. The government page may still list six providers, but in practice only five are currently selling.

Official Sources

• CBHS International Health — Important Updates — confirms cessation of new OSHC/OVHC sales, checked 2026-07-14
• CBHS International OSHC Fund Rules (PDF) — effective 1 April 2026
• Australian Government PrivateHealth.gov.au — OSHC — official provider listing, verified 2026-07-14 (note: government page lists six providers; CBHS sales status as of July 2026 is “not selling to new members”)
• Department of Home Affairs — Student Visa Conditions — Condition 8501
• Private Health Insurance Ombudsman — independent dispute resolution if CBHS fails to provide a Clearance Certificate or refund

Data as of: 14 July 2026. CBHS sales status and existing policy terms may change after this date. Before taking action, verify current information on the CBHS International Health website and consult your new provider’s current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Insurance Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not constitute insurance advice, medical advice, legal advice, or visa advice. Coverage descriptions and switching procedures are based on CBHS International Health’s public statements and Fund Rules effective 1 April 2026, and do not guarantee any claim outcome, refund amount, or visa result. The assertion that CBHS is not accepting new OSHC members is based on CBHS’s own website as of 14 July 2026; verify directly with CBHS before making decisions. Before purchasing a new policy, switching providers, or taking action based on visa conditions, read the full policy documents of your chosen provider and consult a registered insurance broker, university international student advisor, or licensed migration agent if needed.

Need to compare the five actively selling OSHC providers? Use the OSHC comparison tool for current pricing and policy details across all active providers.