Health insurance in Australia is compulsory for international students; check out the rules
To study in Australia, you don't just need a student visa. Along with the documentation comes a requirement: students must have health insurance for the duration of their stay in the country.
The Australian health system often raises a lot of questions for foreign students. Here's everything you need to know to make sure you have health insurance and stay worry-free in Australia.
You need to take out Student Health Cover
International students who have a student visa (subclass 500) must have health insurance called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Often, the universities themselves refer students to insurance companies. However, if you prefer to take out insurance on your own, you can find OSHC options from reputable brokers in Australia, such as Allianz, Bupa, Medibank e nib.
The cost of the OSHC can vary greatly, depending on factors relating to each student, such as their medical history. However, according to Times Higher EducationThe average price of health insurance in Australia is around $ 438 per year.
In general, health insurance for students usually covers the main medical expenses or hospital care they may need while studying in Australia, such as doctor's appointments, laboratory tests, special services such as pathology and radiology, hospital stays, some prescription drugs and ambulances.
It is worth remembering that students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden may not be obliged to contract the service, as they are sometimes supported by agreements between the governments of their countries and Australia.
Pay attention to the rules of each health insurance in Australia
A very common question among students is: even if I have health insurance, will I need to pay for treatment?
Depending on the insurance company, the student may have to pay for the medical expenses and then present the receipts and receive a refund. Other companies, however, allow the student to receive care.
This variation applies to hospital care, medical consultations and examinations. Therefore, the tip is to pay attention to the rules of each insurance company before taking out the service.
What are Medicare and bulk billing
When researching the Australian health system, you'll probably come across the terms Medicare and bulk billing.
Medicare is Australia's healthcare system. It is funded by taxpayers, Australian citizens residing in the country who devote less than 2% of their taxable income to be able to access the system and help cover health costs.
Bulk billing, on the other hand, is a process that takes place within Medicare, focusing on patients who cannot afford the full cost of treatment. In this case, the doctors collect payment from the government, and the patient pays only part of it.
However, bulk billing is not a compulsory process for doctors, so not everyone does it. In addition, foreign students are not usually allowed to use this benefit.
Still have questions about compulsory student health insurance? Talk to a Good Day expert!
