Feature	Medicare (Public)	OSHC (Mandatory Private)
Availability	Citizens & select RHCA students.	All other Subclass 500 Visa holders.
GP Visits	Often $0 (Bulk Billed).	Usually 85%–100% of MBS fee (Gap likely).
Public Hospital	Fully covered (no choice of doctor).	Fully covered (shared ward).
Private Hospital	Not covered.	Covered (depending on the policy).
Ambulance	NOT covered (usually).	100% Covered for emergencies.
New for 2026	Standard public updates.	Pregnancy wait-times removed (for 2yr+ policies).

Feature	Medicare (Public)	OSHC (Mandatory Private)
Availability	Citizens & select RHCA students.	All other Subclass 500 Visa holders.
GP Visits	Often $0 (Bulk Billed).	Usually 85%–100% of MBS fee (Gap likely).
Public Hospital	Fully covered (no choice of doctor).	Fully covered (shared ward).
Private Hospital	Not covered.	Covered (depending on the policy).
Ambulance	NOT covered (usually).	100% Covered for emergencies.
New for 2026	Standard public updates.	Pregnancy wait-times removed (for 2yr+ policies).

Feature	Medicare (Public)	OSHC (Mandatory Private)
Availability	Citizens & select RHCA students.	All other Subclass 500 Visa holders.
GP Visits	Often $0 (Bulk Billed).	Usually 85%–100% of MBS fee (Gap likely).
Public Hospital	Fully covered (no choice of doctor).	Fully covered (shared ward).
Private Hospital	Not covered.	Covered (depending on the policy).
Ambulance	NOT covered (usually).	100% Covered for emergencies.
New for 2026	Standard public updates.	Pregnancy wait-times removed (for 2yr+ policies).

Feature	Medicare (Public)	OSHC (Mandatory Private)
Availability	Citizens & select RHCA students.	All other Subclass 500 Visa holders.
GP Visits	Often $0 (Bulk Billed).	Usually 85%–100% of MBS fee (Gap likely).
Public Hospital	Fully covered (no choice of doctor).	Fully covered (shared ward).
Private Hospital	Not covered.	Covered (depending on the policy).
Ambulance	NOT covered (usually).	100% Covered for emergencies.
New for 2026	Standard public updates.	Pregnancy wait-times removed (for 2yr+ policies).