Seeing a doctor
If you need to see doctor (also known as a GP, or General Practitioner), you can search for one closest to you on Healthengine. Some General Practices may not be accepted new patients, so it is best to find a few around you and register with them, so you have a place to visit if you become sick.
A consultation with a doctor usually costs around AU$50 or more, depending on your doctor and the benefits of your OSHC cover. Some doctors might ask you to pay in full and claim your insurance benefit back later. Ask about payment when you make your appointment, and always keep your receipts.
On-campus doctors
There are medical practices available on-campus at:
Healthdirect
Healthdirect is a free 24-hour health advice line. They are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice. If you have a health concern, but you’re not sure what to do next, call Healthdirect to speak to a registered nurse. You’ll get health advice and directions to your nearest health services.
For free health advice, call: 1800 022 222
Going to hospital
In Australia, hospitals are for emergencies. You should go to a hospital Emergency Department if you have an emergency injuries or acute illnesses, such as:
major injuries
a broken bone or if you fell from a great height
heart attack / chest pain
asthma attack or problems breathing
uncontrolled bleeding
severe pain
severe burn
loss of consciousness or sudden collapse
drug overdoses or poisoning
Emergency services are available to everyone in Australia at the accident and emergency unit of any public hospital, 24 hours a day. Learn more about South Australia’s public hospitals and health services.
At the Hospital, medical staff will evaluate the urgency and seriousness of your symptoms and will determine how fast you will be examined. Be patient and respectful, if your case doesn’t require urgent medical attention, you may have to wait.
If you or someone nearby is experiencing symptoms that could be life-threatening, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. If you’re not confident speaking in English, you can ask the operator for an interpreter. Your OSHC should cover 100% of the cost of emergency ambulance services.
A local doctor should always be your first point of contact if you are experiencing any non-life threating symptoms such as:
earaches
cold or flu
sore throat
skin infections
minor injuries or fist aid services
urinary tract infections
vaccinations
Pharmacies and medication
You can buy medicines and drugs from a pharmacy, also known as a chemist. You can buy some medications over the counter; others need a prescription from a doctor.
SA Health, the offical state government department for health in South Australia, has more information about medicines.
Dentists, optometrists and physiotherapists
If you need to see a specialist, you can search for local providers in Healthengine or contact your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider to understand what is covered.
Costs for these services can vary, and some treatments can be expensive, so be sure to compare quotes before booking your appointment.
Taking care of yourself
Taking time for self-care is really important, especially when you are a student. Taking just a few minutes each day for yourself can help reduce anxiety, stress, loneliness and boost your wellbeing.
Simple measures like exercising daily, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and spending time with others can help us maintain a healthy emotional state, but there are times when this is not enough, and we need extra support.
If you are feeling anxious, depressed or not quite yourself, know that you are not alone, it happens to a lot of us at some point in our lives, and help is available.
Watch the journey stories of Taeyoung and Khushboo, where they share the challenges they faced as international students and the strategies they learned to cope with the circumstances.
Mental health support
If you have tried consistently to improve your mental health and still aren’t functioning at your best, then it's important to find out what's going on and how you can manage it. Sometimes just talking to someone can help you feel better.
As a first step, you may want to talk to someone in your university or school; your institution will offer you support or guide you in the right direction.
Your GP (General Practitioner) can also set you up with a self-care plan that will help you to access counselling or visit a psychologist. Remember that it’s okay to get the support you need.
A number of organisations in South Australia offer free and confidential mental health support services to international students regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion.
Trained crisis supporters are ready to listen, support, and help you work through what’s on your mind. Services are confidential and all you need to access them is your student card.
PEACE Multicultural Services
ASK PEACE is a free virtual service provided by Relationships Australia SA for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and if you are not confident speaking English, they can get an interpreter on the line to help understand your issues and concerns.
Phone: +61 8 8245 8110
Headspace
eHeadspace is a Headspace initiative offering free online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12 – 25 and their families and friends. If you’re going through a tough time, you can call them, join a group chat, or access helpful online resources.
Phone: 1800 063 267
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue has trained counsellors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit their website, chat online or call them for advice and support based on your specific needs.
Phone: 1300 224 636
Lifeline
Lifeline also provide advice and support around the clock. You can text or chat online to a counsellor or speak to someone in person.
Phone: 13 11 14
Sexual health
Relationships and sexual health and safety are really important for young people, particularly international students. It is often a topic that students have never been taught about, and so there are a range of free resources from Shine SA to help you understand sexual health and your body.
Shine SA
If you have a sexual health question, you can talk confidentially to a nurse by calling the FREE Shine SA Sexual Healthline.
Phone: +61 8 8300 5300
Adelaide Sexual Health Centre
The Adelaide Sexual Health Centre provides a free and confidential service. This includes advice, testing and treatment for all sexually transmitted diseases.
Phone: +61 8 8300 5300
Drug and alcohol services
There are a range of services available in Adelaide for people who experience problems with alcohol and other drugs, which means there are many options for people with different needs and treatment preferences.
Drug and Alcohol Services SA
Drag and Alcohol Services South Australia provides a range of of treatment services for people with alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. They also provide a free service to help you Know Your Options to get help for yourself or a friend and family member.
Phone: 1300 131 340
Gambling Helpline Online
Gambling Hotline provides free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to people experiencing harm from gambling, or people concerned about friends or family members that may need help.
Phone: 1800 858 858
Health Terms You Should Know
Common terms used in healthcare in Australia.
Medicare is the public health system that gives Australian residents free or discounted health services. If you are an international student, you will be required to have a private insurance (OSHC).
Overseas Student Health Cover. As an international student in Australia, you and your dependants are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover for the entire duration of your studies in Australia.
OSHC covers your visits to the doctor, some hospital treatments, emergency ambulance and limited pharmaceutical items. Learn more about OSHC, including a list of the providers here and check with your insurance provider what is covered under your insurance.
A cover that helps with the cost of a member's hospital stay as a private patient including hospital accommodation on the ward, in-patient medical treatment, and associated costs during the admission. Check with your insurance provider if hospital cover is included in your OSHC.
General Practitioner. A GP can help you by diagnosing and treating pain, diseases and other health issues. They can also help with mental health support, vaccines, referrals for tests or scans, prescribe medication, as well as referring you to specialist doctors. If you need to visit a doctor, your first step is to find a GP near where you live or study; you can find a GP in private practices, public clinics and medical clinics.
The fee for service can vary. Most OSHC will pay a benefit towards the costs of seeing a GP; when a GP charges more than the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee (the set government fee), you will be left with an out-of-pocket expense. To minimise any out-of-pocket expense, you can attend a bulk billing clinic.
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a list of all the medical services subsidised by the government, including visiting a GP or seeing a specialist, as well as the recommended fees for those services, known as the MBS fee.
If you have an OSHC, your insurance will cover the MBS fee, but if the specialist chooses to charge above the MBS fee, you will have to pay the difference, an out-of-pocket expense.
A bulk billing clinic is a clinic where the GPs charge the MBS fee, ensuring you won’t have to pay an out-of-pocket fee. It may be convenient to confirm with the clinic prior to your consultation any 'out-of-pocket' expenses you may have to pay.
Out-of-pocket expense (which is sometimes known as the “gap”) is the difference between the fee charged by a provider, and what your insurance will pay for.
To minimise any out-of-pocket expense, you can attend a bulk billing clinic. Remember to confirm any 'out-of-pocket' expenses you may have to pay prior to your consultation by contacting the clinic.
Some universities and schools have a medical clinic or health practice that provides primary care and support to staff, students and in some cases to the general public. The school clinic can usually help you visit a doctor, prescribe medicine, and provide vaccines. International students will generally be bulk billed but remember to confirm any out-of-pocket expenses with the clinic before your appointment.
If you need urgent emergency medical care, call 000. This will connect you directly to ambulance, police, and fire services. Usually, your OSHC insurance will cover the ambulance cost.
If you require medical assistance outside of business hours or on weekends, you can call 13SICK National Home Doctor on 137425 or contact them at Home Doctor | After Hours Doctors Australia.
This is a bulk billed service, meaning that international students who have overseas student health cover will not be charged a fee for the doctor home visit.
Telehealth is the use of communication technologies to access medical services remotely. It can involve talking to a GP or specialist over the phone or using Skype. Telehealth is a convenient solution and helps reduce the spread of illness when a physical examination isn’t necessary.
Many GPs and specialists offer this option, including the 13SICK National Home Doctor service, and the cost is usually the same than a medical appointment.
A mental health plan is a support program that you and your doctor will develop together if you are experiencing mental health issues. The plan might include:
A referral to a specialist, such as a psychologist
Other strategies to improve your mental health, such as tips for a healthy state of mind
How can I get a mental health care plan? The first step is to book an appointment with a GP. When you book, mention that you'd like to discuss a mental health care plan so they can schedule the right appointment for you. At your visit, tell your doctor how you feel and what concerns you. Remember that doctors are trained to listen and what you tell them is confidential.
For more information, visit Ask Peace (in your language) or call their friendly team at (08) 8245 8110 between 9am and 5pm . If you call outside these hours, you can leave a message and a counsellor will contact you.