CBHS International Health

What CBHS International Health does

CBHS International Health is an Australian health insurance trading brand of CBHS Health Fund Limited (ABN 87 087 648 717), headquartered in Parramatta, NSW. The business historically served two customer segments whose access to Medicare is restricted: international students on Subclass 500 visas requiring Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and overseas workers and visitors on eligible temporary-work visa subclasses requiring Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC). OSHC was offered in Single, Couple, Family, and Sole Parent tiers; OVHC in three tiers — Overseas Worker Base Hospital, Mid Hospital and Medical, and Top Hospital and Medical. Coverage is mandatory under Department of Home Affairs visa condition 8501, making the product a regulatory prerequisite rather than a discretionary purchase.

The technology stack comprises a member web portal, an iOS/Android mobile application (digital membership cards, claims submission, policy management), the HELPER Choice Network provider portal for real-time eligibility checking, and integrations with third-party telehealth partners (Medcare, InstantScripts, Medmate, Cub Care) plus Best Doctors for second-opinion services. Claims adjudication and government reporting infrastructure is delivered through the Australian Health Service Alliance. The Choice Network aggregates hundreds of GP clinics, pathology (4Cyte), and radiology providers across all Australian states and territories, with no-gap or capped $10-gap billing.

CBHS International Health operates on a subscription-recurring revenue model paid upfront (monthly, quarterly, or annually for OSHC; up to 24 months in advance for OVHC), distributed through direct-to-consumer digital channels (website and mobile app), 1300 inside-sales lines with 24/7 interpreter support, and referral pathways from education institutions and registered migration agents. The company has announced it no longer offers new OSHC or OVHC policies; existing members continue to be served through the same channels. CBHS International Health is not VC-backed and has no external investment structure disclosed.

Name

CBHS International Health

Legal name

CBHS Health Fund Limited

Website

https://cbhsinternationalhealth.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CBHS International Health is an Australian health insurer (a trading brand of CBHS Health Fund Limited) providing visa-mandated OSHC for international students and OVHC for overseas workers. As of 2024-2025, the company has stopped selling new policies and now services its existing member book only.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Insurance

NAICS

Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers (524114)

SIC

Accident & Health Insurance (6321)

akta.pro primary industry

International / Expatriate Group Health Plans (FSAIAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

International/Expat Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity (FSAIAKAJ)

Keywords

• Overseas student health cover
• Visitor health insurance
• Private health insurance
• International student cover
• Visa health cover

Headquarters

HQ city

Parramatta

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. OSHC Premiums: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) premiums paid by international students as a mandatory visa requirement (condition 8501). Covers single, couple, family, and sole parent tiers. Premiums are paid in advance (monthly, quarterly, or annually) and continue until visa expiry.
2. OVHC Premiums: Overseas Visitor/Worker Health Cover (OVHC) premiums paid by overseas workers as a visa requirement. Three product tiers: Overseas Worker Base Hospital, Overseas Worker Mid Hospital and Medical, and Overseas Worker Top Hospital and Medical. Premiums paid up to 24 months in advance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CBHS International Health provides mandatory visa-compliant private health insurance for international students (Overseas Student Health Cover, OSHC) and overseas workers/visitors (Overseas Visitor Health Cover, OVHC) in Australia. The company offers three OVHC tiers (Base Hospital, Mid Hospital and Medical, Top Hospital and Medical) and complements coverage with a Choice Network of healthcare providers, telehealth partners, a mobile app, and multilingual 24/7 member support. The company has announced it no longer sells new OSHC/OVHC policies, but continues to serve existing members.

Product overview

CBHS International Health is a health insurance provider offering two core product lines: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students on Subclass 500 visas, and Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) for overseas workers on various temporary work visas. OVHC is available in three tiers (Base Hospital, Mid Hospital and Medical, and Top Hospital and Medical) providing escalating coverage levels. These products are supported by a network of integrated services including an online doctor consultation platform (featuring Medcare, InstantScripts, Medmate, and Cub Care partners), a nationwide Choice Network of approved healthcare providers, a mobile app for digital membership cards and claims submission, mental health support resources, the Health Assist coaching program, the Cub Care paediatric emergency service, the Bump to Baby maternity program, and a 24/7 multilingual helpline. The company is no longer accepting new members but continues to service existing policyholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Choice Network: Network of medical providers including doctors, telehealth services, and healthcare facilities that CBHS International Health members can access.

Products and services

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Visa-compliant health insurance for international students studying in Australia under Subclass 500 visas. Covers doctor visits (face-to-face and telehealth), hospital treatment, emergency ambulance, and prescription medications. Available in Single, Couples, Family, and Sole Parent tiers; billed monthly, quarterly, or annually.
• Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) Visa-compliant health insurance for overseas workers and visitors in Australia on temporary working visas (subclasses 482, 485, 457, 403, 417, 462, 408, 407, 590, 010, 020, 030). Available in three tiers — Base Hospital (hospital only), Mid Hospital and Medical (hospital plus outpatient), and Top Hospital and Medical (comprehensive with higher pharmaceutical benefits up to $75 per prescription). Premiums paid up to 24 months in advance.
• Online Doctors Service Telehealth service that connects CBHS International Health members with Australian-registered doctors for online consultations, prescriptions, medical certificates, and referral letters. Free for eligible members via Medcare (weekday telehealth), InstantScripts (24/7), Medmate (multilingual doctors), and Cub Care (after-hours paediatric).
• Choice Network National network of approved healthcare providers (GPs, medical centres, after-hours services, pathology labs, radiology) across all Australian states and territories. Members receive no-gap or low-gap (max $10) services at participating providers with direct billing to CBHS International Health.
• CBHS International Mobile App Mobile app available on iOS and Android that provides CBHS International Health members with digital membership cards, online claims submission, policy management, and access to telehealth and member support services.
• Health Assist Program Wellness and health coaching program providing eligible CBHS International Health members with access to allied health professionals including dieticians, nurses, diabetes educators, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, midwives, and maternal child health nurses at no extra cost.
• Cub Care After-hours online paediatric consultation service providing urgent medical access for children aged newborn to 15 years. Available to eligible CBHS International Health members via the Cub Care website or phone, outside regular clinic hours.
• Bump to Baby Program Maternity support program for eligible CBHS International Health members providing guidance and assistance from pregnancy through the child's first year, including pregnancy-related waiting period exemptions when upgrading cover.
• Best Doctors Second Opinion Service Second opinion service that connects eligible CBHS International Health members with medical specialists to review existing diagnoses, treatment plans, and surgical options for illness, injury, or disease.
• 24/7 Medical and Personal Assistance Helpline 24/7 multilingual telephone helpline providing medical guidance, personal assistance, interpreter services, and navigation support for the Australian healthcare system to CBHS International Health members.
• Mental Health Support Services Mental health support resources providing eligible CBHS International Health members with connections to counselling services, Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, and mental health navigation assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Affordable cover from $13.84 per week for OVHC (as at 30 September 2024)

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA)coreTechnology or IntegrationAHSA assists CBHS International Health to assess and pay claims and provides reports to the Government in relation to treatments and services received by members in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. AHSA provides the technical infrastructure for claims processing and adjudication.
• Members Health Fund AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBHS International Health is a member of Members Health Fund Alliance, a consortium of Australian health funds focused on delivering affordable, member-owned health insurance. Listed on membershealth.com.au as a member health fund.
• Medcare (24-7 MedCare)coreTechnology or IntegrationCBHS International Health has an agreement with Medcare for telehealth GP consultations. Eligible members receive free telehealth consultations with no out-of-pocket costs. Available Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-12pm.
• Choice Network (GPs, Pathology, Radiology)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBHS International Health's Choice Network comprises hundreds of GP clinics, after-hours services, pathology labs (4Cyte Pathology), and radiology providers across all Australian states and territories. Network providers charge no gap or maximum $10 gap for eligible members, with direct billing to CBHS.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Medibank: Medibank is Australia's largest private health insurer and a major OSHC/OVHC provider. It serves international students and overseas visitors with visa-compliant cover, a national provider network, and digital member portals — directly overlapping CBHS International Health's product and customer base.
• Bupa Australia: Bupa is one of Australia's largest OSHC and OVHC providers, directly competing with CBHS International Health for international student and overseas worker visa-compliant cover. It offers the same mandatory products via direct-to-consumer digital channels and a nationwide provider network.
• HCF (Hospitals Contribution Fund): HCF is one of Australia's largest member-owned health funds and a registered OSHC provider serving international students. It competes with CBHS International Health on price, member-owned value proposition, and provider network breadth.
• Allianz Partners Australia: Allianz Partners (formerly OSHC Worldcare) is a leading dedicated OSHC and OVHC provider in Australia, competing head-to-head with CBHS International Health for international student and worker mandates with comparable product tiers and provider networks.
• ahm (Australian Health Management): ahm, owned by Medibank, offers a competitive OSHC product targeting international students in Australia. It directly overlaps CBHS International Health on price-sensitive student cover, digital distribution, and network-based no-gap servicing.
• nib OSHC: nib is a major Australian private health insurer with a dedicated OSHC product line serving international students. It competes directly with CBHS International Health in the visa-compliant student cover segment with similar price-tier and digital acquisition approach.

Regional players

• HBF Health: HBF is a Western Australia-focused private health insurer that participates in OSHC for international students studying in WA. Comparable in product and structure to CBHS International Health but with primary geographic concentration in a single state.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Unity: Australian Unity is a diversified mutual offering private health insurance (including OSHC) alongside banking, aged care, and wellness services. It overlaps with CBHS International Health on the OSHC product line as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Cigna Healthcare Australia: Cigna is a global health insurer with Australian operations providing international health cover that overlaps with OVHC for overseas workers. Comparable in serving international/expat populations with comprehensive medical and hospital benefits, though its portfolio extends well beyond OSHC/OVHC.

Emerging players

• Doctors' Health Fund: Doctors' Health Fund is a smaller, niche private health fund that offers OSHC for international students. It targets a similar visa-compliant student segment as CBHS International Health but with a smaller scale and more focused professional audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbhsinternationalau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbhs-international-health

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBHS International Health