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Home>Australia>About Heinz Australia>Student Life>Living Concerns>Medical Concerns
Medical Concerns
Medical Insurance / Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
You will be required to obtain medical insurance (commonly referred to as OSHC) for the duration of your studies in order to obtain a visa. We recommend taking out a policy which covers the duration of your visa. This may be slightly more expensive but will ensure medical cover should you remain in the country for a few weeks following completion of your studies. Medical costs in Australia can be very expensive if you're required to use services without valid insurance. Therefore spending a few extra dollars to cover the duration of your visa is a very sound investment. Note: AusAID-sponsored students are NOT required to arrange their OSHC – this is done by Heinz as a condition of the scholarship.
We have a preferred provider agreement with OSHC Worldcare. You should take the time to thoroughly research your insurance policy. Particular attention should be given to the sections covering pre-existing medical conditions and scope of cover (what is and isn’t covered).
Dental Care
It's very important to know that dental care is not covered by your OSHC policy. Dental services can be quite expensive so you should consider your dental health before arrival. It may be a good idea to have any procedures conducted in your home country beforehand.
Bringing Prescription Medicines to Australia
Your OSHC policy provides partial payment of the cost of prescription medicines however you will be required to make a payment. Read the conditions carefully in the Worldcare Web site. You may find it worthwhile to bring additional supplies of a prescription with you; however you need to be careful. There are strict rules and regulations which determine which substances/medicines are allowed to be brought into Australia. If you want to bring your own supply, check with both the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the Australian Customs Service.
If you are taking medications, you should contact the Australian consulate or embassy in your home country well before departure to confirm that the medicines and the quantities to be carried are permitted. It might also help in your dealings with Australian and overseas authorities if you have a prescription and a doctor's letter explaining your medical condition and the medications, prescription and otherwise, that you are taking for it.
Caution - Taking prescription medicine subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) overseas that are not for your personal use or for the use of someone travelling with you, is illegal. A $5,000 fine and/or a two-year jail sentence is the penalty for dealing with PBS medicine in a way other than which it was meant. For more information, phone Medicare Australia's "Travelling with PBS medicine" inquiry line: 1800 500 147.