Health insurance
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is the minimum level of health insurance international students and their dependants are required to purchase as a condition of their student visa.
Please note that it is condition of your student visa that you maintain current OSHC for the duration of your visa. If you need to extend your OSHC (e.g. you fail some units and need to extend your time here), it is your responsibility to do this directly with the OSHC provider.
You must provide proof of OSHC to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) before your visa is issued. A list of OSHC providers is available from the Department of Health and Ageing website. For further information on student visa regulations, visit the DIAC website.
Exception: Norwegian students and most Swedish students do not require OSHC. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that these countries have national health schemes which provide adequate health insurance overseas.
OSHC Worldcare
La Trobe University currently has an agreement with OSHC Worldcare, a private health fund, to provide OSHC.
Under this agreement, you pay an OSHC premium for the entire length of your course with your first instalment of tuition fees. This means that you are covered from the day you arrive in Australia.
Note: Commencing students using another OSHC provider must make payment arrangements with that provider directly, as La Trobe can only accept payment for OSHC Worldcare.
What does it cost?
OSHC Worldcare rates for 2010 are listed below. Rates may be subject to change without notice. If your spouse and/or children accompany you to Australia on Student Dependant visa/s you will need to pay a 'Family' premium.
| Length of Cover | Student | Family |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | A$195 | A$390 |
| 12 months | A$390 | A$780 |
| 2 years | A$780 | A$1,560 |
| 3 years | A$1,112 | A$2,224 |
You may be able to claim for holiday credit when you go home for the semester break (conditions apply).
For a full listing of OSHC Worldcare prices visit: www.oshcworldcare.com.au/skins/oshc2/pdf/OSHC_Price_List_2010.pdf
What is covered?
- 100% of the scheduled (standard) fee for a consultation with a general practitioner. If a doctor charges more than the scheduled fee, you pay the difference.
- 100% of scheduled costs for a stay in a shared ward in a public hospital Emergency ambulance transport (call the 24-hour medical assist number on 1800 841 781 to determine if your situation is classified as an emergency, otherwise non-emergency ambulance transportation is extremely expensive).
- Most prescription drugs excluding oral contraceptives. You pay a contribution and your provider pays the remainder up to A$50 per item. Limits apply.
What is not covered?
- Treatment for conditions whose signs and symptoms were in existence before you came to Australia (during the first 12 months of membership) in the opinion of a medical practitioner approved or appointed by OSHC Worldcare.
- Medical examinations, x-rays and pathology required for student visa renewal
- Dental, optical and physiotherapy. (You may take out optional Extras cover OSHC Worldcare Plus - for these services).
OSHC on campus
A client service representative is available to assist international students with their OSHC needs and questions at the following times:
- Every Tuesday and Friday: 11.00am - 5.00pm.
- Location: La Trobe International, Melbourne (Bundoora) campus - Reception Area
The client service representative can help with:
- OSHC Information
- Renewals
- Holiday Credits
- Claiming. Cash claims are available, where small claims can be processed and an Australia Post voucher is issued - you can redeem this for cash at the Post Office on-campus.
Local direct-billing medical centres
OSHC Worldcare has developed a close working relationship with many direct-billing medical centres. La Trobe Universitys international students can obtain excellent medical care, and the account is sent directly to OSHC Worldcare. A small co-payment is charged which cannot be claimed. There are three direct-billing medical centres close to La Trobe Universitys Melbourne (Bundoora) campus:
| Reservoir Medical Group Cnr Plenty & Gremel Roads Reservoir Telephone: (03) 9478 2255 |
Reservoir Medical Centre 4 Edwardes Street Reservoir Telephone: (03) 9469 4944 |
Millpark Super Clinic 250 Childs Road Millpark Telephone: (03) 9436 4155 |
For a complete list of direct-billing clinics in Victoria, please visit the OSHC Worldcare website
Other Services
OSHC Worldcare also offers an emergency interpreting service and a 24 hour legal advice and medical assistance line (free call 1800 814 781).
Further Information
For further details, see the OSHC Worldcare brochure (available from LTI) or the OSHC Worldcare website.
