Australia Health

Your wellbeing

As an international student, you will have access to the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This special system is required and you’ll need to buy it before you arrive in Australia. Talk to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship about applying for this cover. Also, speak to your education provider as they may have a specific OSHC agreement which caters to their students.

From June 2009, there are five providers of OSHC in Australia, including:

• Australian Health Management
• BUPA Australia
• Medibank Private
• OSHC Worldcare
• Westfund

You can research their websites for more information on what they cover and what provider best suits your needs and budget.

Essentially, your OSHC will assist you with any medical or hospital bills you have acquired in Australia while you’re studying in Australia. It also helps towards paying prescription medicines and an ambulance in the event of an emergency. What OSHC does not cover include dental, optical or physiotherapy costs. If you want to be covered for these additional treatments, you will need to buy extra private health insurance, such as: international travel insurance or general treatment cover. You can contact any Australian private health insurer for additional insurance cover. Visit www.privatehealth.gov.au or www.iselect.com.au for  a list of insurers.
 

Tips to maintain good health

Your physical health and wellbeing is vitally important. As an international student, you’ll need to take extra care so you do maintain an optimal health level so that you can focus on your studies. Here are some tips to help you maintain your wellbeing:

• Try exercising 30 minutes, five times a week. You could walk, swim, cycle, jog or play a sport.
• Try yoga or breathing exercises o help you manage stress.
• Take part in club activities (like rowing, chess, hiking etc). It will help to pick up your mood when you’re feeling down, provide you with company, and give you something to look forward to like new friends or discovering something new and fun.
• Get regular and quality sleep 7-8 hours per night. This is especially important because without a quality rest every night, you will lose energy, become irritable or sad, suppress your immune system and find it difficult to concentrate on your studies. Good sleep will boost your mood so you can have greater energy to concentrate on your studies so you feel better.
• Also, to improve your sleep quality, try relaxing with a herbal tea at night before you go to bed. Allow yourself some time, i.e. 30 minutes, before you get into bed to relax.
• Practice getting out of bed as soon as you wake up instead of closing your eyes for ‘five more minutes’. This helps you build a routine so you fall asleep and wake-up at regular hours.
• Do some stretches or exercise in the morning in the fresh air.
• Don’t nap during the day so you don’t go to sleep late at night.
• Write down your feelings, concerns or “list of things to do”. Don’t waste time lying in bed at night to thinking about them. You need to sleep. Tackle the problems fresh next day. Otherwise, you’ll just get anxious.
• Don’t study in bed. Sit at a desk. Otherwise, you’ll train your brain to think of your bed as a place to study rather than sleep.
• Eat foods like pasta at night to help you sleep.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes for a few hours before going to bed.
• Speak to a doctor or counselor if you have frequent sleeping problems.
• Eat well. Food is like medicine so eat fresh vegetables and fruit daily. Try to avoid fatty fast food take-ways on most occasions.
• Eat a protein-packed breakfast. It will kick-start your metabolism for the day and gives you energy.
• Drink at least 1-2 liters of water throughout the day. Dehydration can make you tired, induce headaches or prevent your concentration (and other health issues).
• If you are vegetarian, plan your meal sensibly so you are getting enough essential nutrients including omega 3, B12 (and other B group vitamins), zinc and iron in your diet. Talk to a GP or nutritionist about a good meal plan.
• Enjoy small amounts of chips, chocolate, biscuits and soft drink or soda etc in moderation.

Above all else, live a full life! Enjoy the sun, socialise, laugh, stay safe, eat well, rest well, visit a park or go on a trek and study sensibly. If you maintain a good work/play lifestyle balance, you’ll get the most out your time in Australia as an international student.


Sexual health

In comparison to other countries, Australia is a fairly liberal country in regard to relationships and contraception. So, while the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in Australia is quite low (about 0.1 per cent of the entire population), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) infection rates, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are continuing to grow. In this way, you need to be proactive about your sexual health.

Protect yourself against infection and unwanted pregnancy by always using a condom. You can also limit the number of sexual partners you have. Another method of avoiding STIs is simply abstaining. You can purchase condoms in supermarkets and chemists (also known as pharmacies or drugstores). They are relatively inexpensive and available to anyone who wishes to purchase them. Furthermore, women can use the contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy (this this does not protect women from STIs. The contraceptive pill is available by prescription from GPs.

Remember to be proactive in protecting your sexual health. Exercise your right to insist that a condom is used. You also have the right to refuse your partner’s sexual advances, even if you’re already in a relationship with them. Another word of caution is when drinking. Take extra care to avoid being in a situation you’ll regret the next morning. However, if you think that you may have been a victim of sexual assault, contact the police, your school counsellor, or a community organisation such as Lifeline on 13 11 14.


Alcohol and other drugs

You must be 18 or over to legally purchase cigarettes and alcohol in Australia. However, sellers of these products are required to see the ID of customers that look younger than 25 years of age. This practice helps protects shop owners, as there are penalties for selling or serving cigarettes and alcohol to people under 18 years of age. In fact, buying, selling, possessing or using illicit substances including marijuana, amphetamines and opiates, is against the law. If you’re caught with illegal substances, you will face severe penalties, which may include fines, deportation or imprisonment.


Smoking

Smoking carries enormous health risks. So, although smoking is legally permitted in Australia, it is not recommended. Indeed, long-term negative effects of smoking are proven: it has been linked to cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections, blood clots, and stroke. Also, it causes bad breath, a general “smoker’s odour” ( i.e. smelly hair and clothes), as well as stained fingers, teeth, reduced physical fitness, a severe cough and reduced lung capacity. Lastly, smoking may cause depression. So, if the physical problems associated with smoking are not enough to prevent you from taking-up or continuing the habit, you might think twice when you consider the high cost of smoking. As taxes on cigarettes increase, smoking will become more unaffordable. In this way, it’s best to quit sooner rather than later.


Alcohol

Australians like to socialise. And when they socialise, drinking tends to be a customary part of many social gatherings. Of course, there’s nothing wrong drinking alcohol sensibly. To helps you unwind or to celebrate. However, binge drinking (drinking to excessive where you become inebriated) should be avoided. Often drinking to excess can result in injury to your health caused by binge drinking or may cause you to have an accident or become involved in violence. So, aside from giving you a hangover (i.e. a headache, tiredness, vomiting and nausea), you could be part endanger yourself or others by irresponsible drinking. Women in particular should be careful in bars, clubs and pubs. In Australia, there are cases of drink spiking, (that is, when someone places a drug in your drink). You could be assaulted as a result. For this reason, you should always go out with trusted friends and never leave your drink unattended. So, if you must put your drink down, (to go to the bathroom), leave it with a trusted friend to safeguard.


Doctors

If you’re in Australia for a while, chances are you’ll need to visit a doctor before you leave. If you do see a doctor in Australia, rest assured that you’ll receive quality care and service. Australian doctors are highly skilled and well educated. They also operate from a very clean and sanitary environment. If you need to see a doctor, you can visit your nearest medical centre. They are often found in your local mall, shopping centre or city centre. However, please be aware that you should NEVER seek help from a hospital emergency room (ER) unless you are in a life threatening situation. Otherwise, you’ll impede doctors seeing patients with serious life-threatening illnesses or injuries.


General Practitioners

Doctors are called General Practitioners, or GPs in Australia. They are doctors that specialize in general medicine and medical conditions that aren’t life-threatening: for example, treating:

• Viruses
• Colds and flu
• Infections
• and other general, ‘every day’ conditions that make you feel sick.

A standard procedure when assessing your heath and advising a suitable treatment, is to perform a blood or urine test. They can also give you injections and perform minor surgeries such as stitches and the removal of moles. Other standard diagnostic procedures can include gynaecological exams.

Apart from your local shopping shopping district, you will find a list of GPs in the Yellow Pages (i.e. Australia’s business phone directory book). GPs can work in a private practice or in a medical centre with five or six other GPs. However, the service you get from GPs at private surgeries and medical centres are equal. Your doctor will be highly professional and qualified. They will treat your case with complete confidentiality.

Please note that while your GP may ask you some very personal or embarrassing questions, it is important that you answer truthfully to ensure you get the proper treatment. Being honest with your GP will help them to diagnose your condition accurately. If for some reason, you feel uncomfortable with a particular doctor, you should request to see another GP. It is important that you feel open in discussing your ailment with your doctor.

It might be useful to know that you do not always need an appointment to see your GP. However, it is better if you make an appointment so you don’t wait for an hour or more in a doctor’s full waiting room. Also, unless your particular doctor makes “house-calls”, you’ll be required to visit the doctor at their surgery. The cost of visiting a doctor will vary. While it is partly covered by OHSC, you’ll still be required to pay a fee at the time of your doctor’s appointment at some practices. (You can later seek to reimburse your costs from your OHSC provider). The cost of a private GP is about $50 for a 15-minute appointment. However, GP services at a medical centre are free. It is best to see the same doctor each time you visit. This allows the doctor to become familiar with your medical history. But, you will probably see a different GP each visit. If this is the case, you’ll need to explain your medical history to each GP. With regard to opening hours for GP practices, these can vary. But generally, their practices are open during business hours i.e. 9am to 5pm weekdays. However, if you call your GP, you might find that they have extended open hours till 7pm or are open on Saturdays.

 
Specialist doctors

In some cases you may need a specialist doctor, for example an optician, orthopaedic specialist, podiatrist or dermatologist. On most occasions, you won’t be able to see a specialist without a referral for their services from a GP. These specialist doctors are a lot more expensive you’re your local GPs. Yet, some services might be covered under your Overseas Student Health Cover insurance plan. So do check you plan carefully. Over all, a specialist doctor will give you a thorough assessment of your condition. They will often conduct tests and develop a treatment plan for you to follow. As part of your treatment, you will probably have to see your specialist several times to treat your medical condition and ensure that the treatment is helping your condition.


Emergency room doctors

As an international student, it is unlikely that you’ll ever need the aid of Emergency Room (ER) doctors. But in case you do, you’ll find a team of dedicated professionals that have access to the best modern equipment and most safe and effective medicines to help you through your ordeal. In fact, ER doctors in Australia are privileged to work in some of the world’s most renowned hospitals. In this regard, they are able to treat patients with severe and life-threatening injuries or illnesses with a better than average outcome. So, if you do need an ER doctor, they will give you excellent care.

In an emergency, you should call 000 for an ambulance. Otherwise, have a friend call for you if you need urgent medical attention. You will receive medical attention from ambulance staff, or paramedics, on your way to the hospital. You can also go directly to the hospital. However, if you are in a remote rural area, you might need to wait for a care flight (i.e. the Flying Doctors). In this case, you or your friend will need to listen to the instructions of the operator and follow them in detail.


Prescription medication

When you see your doctor, they may provide you with a prescription to purchase special medicine. However, for general health ailments, like a stomach bug, or a cold, the doctor may simply direct you to purchase an over-the-counter medicine from the chemist (also known as a drugstore or pharmacy) or supermarket. You will not need a prescription for these types of basic medicines.

If you are given a prescription, you are advised to take this piece of paper to the chemist for processing. This prescription will list your details, your doctor’s details and the name and quantity of the medication you should receive. The chemist will then provide you with the medicine. In Australia, GPs never give you medication themselves. After you have received your medicine, your chemist will ask you to sign a form that confirms you have received it. You can then pay for the medication. The cost will depend on the type of medicine purchased.  You can also ask your chemist for a cheaper generic brand if they have it in stock. You can choose whether you buy the generic brand of medication or the brand name medication that was prescribed to you. The active ingredients in each medicine are identical—the only differences are their packaging.

Once you receive your medicine, be sure to take it as directed by your doctor. The directions should also be listed on the label of the medicine (including information on the dosage i.e. how much medication you should take and how often you should take it). If you do not take the dosage as directed, you can get sicker, and you may even overdose. So, it is in your best interest that you follow the doctor’s directions closely.

Alternatively, you might find that the Australian system of handing out medication is more rigid or strict than what you’re used to at home. The fact is that the Australian Government has strict standards and regulations on medical treatment and practices to protect your health, and to make it difficult for people to abuse prescription medication. In this regard, it is good to be mindful of the differences and plan for your health needs. You can do this by bringing medication from home into Australia. However, if you bring medication from home into Australia you’ll need to have your medical records with you along with your medical prescriptions and a letter from your doctor at home. Lastly, you should bring an English translation of your prescription with you so you can give it to your Australian GP. They can then prescribe you the same medicine in case you run out of your own medicine.


Dentists

Another type of doctor you may regularly see in Australia is a dentist. They are listed in the Yellow Pages and practice all around Australia. Their fees can be quite expensive. However, your OSHC may cover part of these costs. Ensure you read your OSHC policy in detail to know in advance what kinds of dental procedures you are covered for. Also, you will not need a referral from your GP to see a dentist. You can simply call them to make an appointment.