Recently, news stories have been circulating about international students and expatriates in Australia being forced to pay up-front fees before receiving urgent medical assistance, particularly at hospitals.
According to ABC News, when former international student Feroza Arshad had to seek emergency medical care for her baby at a Queensland hospital, she was required to pay the fees before staff would treat him.
“I remember it was very scary for me — those 10 to 15 minutes — for me, it was the longest time because I was waiting there, and my baby was not taken in,” she said. “Once they had the card at the reception, then they took us in.”
President of the Pakistan Australian Cultural Association (PACA) Syed Asghar Naqvi explained that international students often face hurdles like these when going to the hospital.
While international students must have health insurance to hold a Student visa, it can sometimes be confusing to navigate. As a result, you may have heaps of questions. What fees do you have to pay up-front? What is bulk billing? Does bulk billing apply to international students?
To help you make sense of it all, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about health cover in Australia for international students.
Do I need health insurance as an international student in Australia?
Yes. To hold a Student (subclass 500) visa and study in Australia as an international student, you must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay.
Exceptions may apply to citizens of Sweden, Norway and Belgium who sometimes have special arrangements under their national schemes.
Some popular OSHC providers include:
Will I have to pay up-front for medical expenses?
The short answer: it depends. Whether you will need to pay up-front for medical costs will likely vary depending on your OSHC provider. Some providers allow you to use your card to make a claim on the spot, while others require you to pay and submit your receipts for reimbursement at a later date.
This may also vary between procedures and appointment types. Under your health cover, some appointments and procedures may be eligible for an immediate rebate with the use of your physical card. However, others might need to be paid for in full on the spot.
Read more: Doctor’s Appointments in Australia: Everything You Need to Know
What is bulk billing?
Bulk billing in Australia is a process under the Medicare system. When doctors use bulk billing, this means you don’t need to pay for the full cost of your medical service. Instead, they bill the government for the portion of care that is covered under Medicare and the patient pays any balance remaining.
Not all doctors in Australia participate in bulk billing as it is not a mandatory practice.
Read more: Your Guide to Understanding the Australian Health System
Does bulk billing apply to international students?
Not usually. Because bulk billing is a procedure under the Medicare system and international students aren’t typically eligible for Medicare, it likely won’t apply to you.
As an international student covered by OSHC, your claims procedure will be unique. Whether you visit a doctor that does bulk billing or not, the process of submitting claims will likely be the same.
Can I receive health services in another language?
In many cases, yes. The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an initiative of the Australian Government that offers interpreting services to businesses and non-English speaking individuals. TIS National offers interpreting services in over 150 languages, with 2,600 interpreters located across Australia.
Several clinics and hospitals work with TIS National and cover the fees associated with these interpreting services. You can call ahead to any medical provider you are considering visiting to see if they offer free interpreting services.
You can also get in touch with TIS National yourself by calling 131 450.
Can I switch my OSHC provider/
Yes. International students are entitled to change OSHC providers at any point. However, doing so may incur a fee. Be sure to read our guide on changing OSHC providers for more information.
What does OSHC cover?
Most basic OSHC policies will either fully or partially cover:
- Visits to your General Practitioner (GP) and any medical treatment
- Specialist medical services such as pathology and radiology
- Public and private hospital stays and any medical treatment
- Certain medications prescribed by your GP
- Emergency ambulance trips to the hospital
While every OSHC provider is different, dental care is not typically covered under basic OSHC plans. You may be able to purchase additional health insurance to cover these types of extras through your provider, but you’ll need to contact them to confirm.
Can my OSHC cover my partner or family members?
Yes. If you are moving to Australia with family members (such as your spouse or dependent children) and they are here on your Student visa, they will need to be covered by your OSHC plan. However, if your partner is moving to Australia to study on their own Student visa, they must hold their own OSHC policy.
If your family member, such as your spouse, is arriving in Australia after you, you should be able to convert your single OSHC policy into a couple’s or family policy. To do this, you’ll need to contact your insurance provider.
