Insider Guides International Student Guide to Melbourne | Page 40

HEALTH & FITNESS

40

First Steps

CITY Melbourne
STATE Victoria

Taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing is vitally important so
read on to discover how to do just that. Remember, in a non emergency
situation you should attend a health clinic and not a hospital.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
All overseas students in Australia on a student visa must have overseas student health cover. There are five
OSHC insurance providers – Allianz, AHM, BUPA, Medibank Private and NIB. Usually this is arranged and
paid when you enrol for your course and lasts for the full length of your student visa. If you don’t have OSHC,
you may be in breach of your student visa conditions. If you have paid for your cover, make sure you collect
your OSHC card from your education provider or contact your OSHC provider to get your card and update
your contact details once you have an Australian address.

Hospitals
If you need to go to a public hospital in a non-emergency situ­ tion or for an elective procedure, then call
a
your OSHC provider and check that you will be covered. Remember to ask your OSHC provider where their
nearest agreement hospital is. You should then give that hospital a call to confirm that you will be accepted
as a patient with OSHC. There is nothing worse than getting some nasty administrative surprises when all you
want is medical treatment! Remember, your OSHC may not cover you for private hospitals.

Sexual health
You can get contraceptive medications and devices very easily and cheaply in Australia. Condoms are
available from supermarkets and pharmacies. Emergency contraceptives are available from pharmacies if
you need them. Take them within 24 hours for the most effective result.

Mental health
Remember to take time out for yourself. If things seem too hard, talk to friends and family. Universities and
colleges often have counselling services or you can use free services Beyond Blue and