Overseas Student Health Cover – what is it and how do I get it?
Holding appropriate medical insurance is a requirement for student visa holders. The correct insurance is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and there are several approved Australian government providers of this available. The college can arrange this on your behalf (invoiced with your offer) or you can arrange this by yourself. For more information you can check out this website:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/overseas+student+health+cover+faq-1
You can usually apply to get single cover, couple cover of multi-family cover. You may choose to contact and arrange your policy with any of the following providers:
In Australia you do not have to go to a hospital to see a doctor. You can see a doctor (also known as a GP – General Practitioner) in their private practice or medical centre, with part or the entire doctor’s fee being covered by Medicare or OSHC. You must make an appointment to see a GP.
When you attend your appointment, the doctor will ask you questions about your health and may give you a brief physical examination, such as checking your breathing, your throat, ears etc. The doctor will then give you some advice regarding management of your illness, and may give you a prescription for some medication. Do not go to the Emergency room, unless it is urgent! If you do attend an Emergency Department in a hospital you will be attended to immediately by a triage nurse for information about you, your cover, and your current health condition. The triage nurse will determine the urgency of your condition in comparison to others in need in the emergency room and it is likely that you will remain at the emergency room for several hours. Whether you are seen immediately by a Doctor, or have to wait, it is customary to keep you in the emergency room for several hours to monitor your condition before releasing you to go home, or admitting you to hospital in more severe cases. Always go to a General Practitioner for non-emergency medical issues.
If you go to the Doctor make sure that you get a Medical Certificate and provide this to your class teacher.
