Health and Wellbeing
COVID- 19 Health Information for Awardees in Australia
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Awardees and their accompanying family members in Australia are covered by health insurance under the OSHC if they contract COVID-19.
Critical Incidents – Awardees diagnosed with COVID-19
Awardees and carers of an awardee and/or those who are categorised as high risk (e.g. underlying or pre-existing medical conditions) are covered by DFAT under the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and our existing policies.
Up to date information is available from https://www.health.gov.au/
Superannuation
If you have been in Australia for longer than 12 months and are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic you can access accrued Australian superannuation funds up to the threshold set by the Australian Government. For further information please visit the Australian Taxation Office website at www.ato.gov.au.
Support
Your wellbeing is important. We understand that this is a strange and potentially stressful time. If you are feeling overwhelmed or concerned that your studies are being affected, don’t suffer in silence, please get in touch with your Student Contact Officer.
Your Student Contact Officer will be able to help you find support. You can also connect with the Scholarships and Alumni Support team in Dili via scholarships@australiaawardstl.org
What your OSHC will cover
OSHC provides a safety net for international students. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines).
At a minimum, each OSHC product must include cover for:
- The benefit amount listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for out-of-hospital medical services
- 100 per cent of the MBS fee for in-patient medical services
- Public hospital shared ward accommodation
- Day surgery accommodation
- Some prosthetic devices
- Pharmaceutical benefits up to $50 per pharmaceutical item to a maximum of $300 a year for a single membership ($600 for a family membership)
- Ambulance services.OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you want to be covered for these treatments you will need to buy additional private health insurance, such as:
- Extra OSHC provided by some OSHC providers
- International travel insurance, and
- General treatment covers with any Australian private health insurer.
You can find a list of these providers and search for the one that suits you best.
Visit – http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/ or http://www.iselect.com.au
Waiting periods
On the day you arrive in Australia, your OSHC will come into effect. However there will be a period of time that you will have to wait until you can claim for the following services:
- Treatment during the first 12 months of membership for pre-existing medical, conditions, disabilities and pregnancy-related services, and
- Treatment during the first 2 months of membership for pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
Travelling with Medicine into Australia
Visit your Doctor and get advice on medication to take and medical notes to carry with you.