Health Services
Victoria has an excellent public health system. If you need emergency treatment you need to show your Overseas Student Health Cover insurance card.
Health Insurance for International Students
Australia has a system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students are required to have this insurance cover while they are in Australia. It provides a safety net for international students similar to that provided to Australian citizens through Medicare, Australia’s national health insurance system.
When visiting a doctor in Victoria, you will need to check if the medical clinic has an agreement with your Overseas Student Health Care Cover. If they do have an agreement, your payment will be considerably less.
What it Covers
OSHC covers most medical expenses and the cost of hospital care in Victoria, as well as most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport, although it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, such as pregnancy. Dental, optical and physiotherapy are not covered.
Arranging OSHC Cover
Your institution will arrange OSHC cover for you. Please note that if you fail some units and therefore require an extension of your OSHC, it will be your responsibility to organise this directly with your OSHC provider. Again, it is recommended that you contact your institution to confirm arrangements.
If your course of study is for less than three months or you are travelling to Australia under a visa other than a student visa, you will not be eligible for OSHC. Travel insurance is recommended in this case.
Students are responsible for their own accident and property insurance while living in Victoria. It’s also wise to arrange travel insurance before leaving your country.
Exceptions
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care have advised that students from Sweden and Norway do not require OSHC as these countries have national health schemes which provide adequate health cover.
More Information
The official Australian Government website for international students,
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/ provides more information about how to apply for Overseas Student Health Cover.
See OSHC web page at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/StudyCosts/OSHC.htm
Finding a Doctor
Doctors who offer everyday medical care are known as General Practitioners (GPs).
You can attend any medical clinic, provided it is taking new patients.
Some clinics will require you to phone ahead to make an appointment; others allow you to simply come in.
You don’t need to be registered with any particular clinic, or live in a particular area.
Some educational institutions run low-cost medical clinics aimed at students. However, you may need to be enrolled at that campus to use those services.
These clinics usually offer sexual health, family planning, travel health, women’s health, sports medicine and psychological care and counselling.
These clinics often bulk-bill Australian residents and students with overseas health cover, which means you don’t pay a fee when you attend.
Melbourne has a number of 24-hour medical clinics. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the one closest to you before a health problem.
You can find a doctor in your Yellow Pages phone directory (www.yellowpages.com.au or the phone book), by looking under “Medical Practitioners”. The Yellow Pages will also list a locality guide for doctors in your area.
To see a specialist, you will need a referral letter from your GP.
Emergencies
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). You will get an automated response asking you to select “fire”, “police” or ambulance”. You’ll be connected to a calltaker who will ask you a series of questions, including your location and the phone number you are calling from.
Arriving by hospital by ambulance will not in itself give you priority ahead of other people – you will be assessed by ambulance officers or hospital staff.
If you don’t think you need an ambulance, call ahead to check your local hospital’s emergency department is open – they may refer you somewhere else.
For a complete list of both public and private hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne, visit the Victorian Government Health Information Website at www.healthcollect.vic.gov.au/directories/Metrohos.htm
For regional hospitals, go to www.healthcollect.vic.gov.au/directories/ruralhos.htm
Interpreter Service
In an emergency, regardless of your level of English, you should call Triple Zero (000), or 112 from a mobile phone.
An interpreter service is available. It will help the call-taker if you can state in English, which language you need.
Nurse on Call
If you’re not sure whether you need emergency treatment, try the Victorian Government’s Nurse on Call phone service, on 1300 60 60 24.
This free service is staffed by trained nurses who can advise you on the best course of action to take.
Mother and Child
The Maternal and Child Health Service is a free national service available to families with children from ages 0 to 5. Your local council will be able to tell you where your nearest centre is. Services include immunisation, and assessment and advice on feeding, development, eyesight and hearing.
For the cost of a local phone call, you can also contact the Maternal and Child Health line, a 24-hour telephone service staffed by maternal and child health nurses. Call 13 22 29.
Most daycare centres, kindergartens and schools will require your child will usually need to be vaccinated against a range of diseases. Check with your local GP or council. Most councils offer a free vaccination service.
Dental Health
To find a dentist, check the Yellow Pages under Dentists, or visit the Australian Dental Association (ADA) website. (LINK: http://www.ada.org.au/OralHealth/FindADentistTCs.aspx)
For dental health emergencies, call the Royal Dental Hospital in Carlton on 1300 360 054. They may refer you to a clinic closer to where you live, and they also have details of private dentists working on public holidays.
Some student organisations offer low-cost dental treatment. Again, ask your institution.
Mental Health
If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, don’t keep it to yourself or feel you have to battle with your problems alone. Confidential, expert help is available.
Talking to someone can offer not just relief, but also practical advice.
Some educational institutions and student unions offer low-cost student counselling. Many schools have their own psychologist. Some overseas student organisations also offer counselling.
If you or someone you know is talking about suicide, do not ignore it or dismiss it as attention-seeking. Encourage them to talk to someone, and seek help. With the right help, many mental health problems can be overcome.
beyondblue information line (national depression initiative) 1300 224 636
Lifeline - 131 114
Suicide Helpline Victoria - 1300 651 251
Kids Help Line (free call) - 1800 551 800
Mensline - 1300 789 978
To find out what mental health services are available in your area call Lifeline's Just Ask information line on 1300 131 114 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm EST).
You can also refer to the front section of the White Pages, which lists organisations on a range of health issues.
Eyes & Ears
Some universities run optometry clinics providing low-cost/discounted services to students enrolled at any tertiary institution. This can mean bulk billing of eye tests, and major discounts on the cost of frames and lenses.
In emergencies, you can go to your local public hospital, or the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital. It is open 24 hours, seven days a week, and is centrally located, near Parliament Station at 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne.
The hospital advises coming to Emergency if you suffer:
· sudden loss of vision or hearing;
· sudden severe eye, ear, nose or throat pain; or
· injury or bleeding to the eye, ear, nose or throat.
The hospital’s website has information in Greek, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Italian. Interpreters are also available.
The hospital also has an Outpatients clinic staffed by ear, nose and throat specialists. Call (03) 9929 8500.
Medicines
You may need a prescription from your doctor for a particular medicine, even if you are able to buy it over the counter in your own country.
Ask your pharmacist if they stock a generic version of brand name prescription drugs. These are usually identical to brand-name drugs, but cheaper.
