Australian Health System

Health and Well-being

Ideally it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst in Australia, this will not only help you to stay healthy and happy, it will help with productivity in the way of your studies as well as save you money on medical expenses.

To stay as healthy as possible take a common sense approach, eat well do not over indulge on junk and take away food, reduce the consumption of alcohol and soft drinks, increase the consumption of water, fruit and vegetables, and try to limit or stop cigarettes use. It is illegal in Australia to take drugs, not only is it harmful to your body and mind but it will influence your whole life.

A great way to stay healthy is to ensure frequent exercise and activity levels, Australia is a country with huge out door areas, many activities to participate in as well as great weather most of the year. Exercising will not just keep you fit and healthy it will help minimise stress levels and help students to sleep better. A good nights sleep is needed for everyone, it helps to aid concentration, avoid stress levels and it will help students with their study. If you are stressed to much this will not help students with their study at all.

Australia has a bad reputation for alcohol consumption, and while it may be the thing to do on a social outing it is indeed bad for your health. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase and consume alcohol or use cigarettes in Australia, if under the age of 25 expect to be asked for photo identification in the way of a passport, drivers license or proof of age card. If out in public and if you are female always be wary of leaving a drink unattended, it may be spiked. If you do leave a drink order another do not consume the one that has been unattended.

Sexual health is the other huge concern in Australia. Australia is a very open country, it is very accepting of all sexualities. There are no huge rates of AIDs or HIV however the risk is still there. Contraception is so readily available, condoms can be brought at the supermarket or chemist. Other hormonal contraception methods can be obtained through a script from you doctor and a visit to the chemist. It is extremely important to practise safe sex. As there is still a risk of STI's (sexually transmitted infection) and the clamydia rate in Australia is on the rise, particularly in young people.

Sexual assault and rape is a crime in Australia, if you are a victim of any assault contact the local police station. In the case of an assault or rape it is also essential to visit a hospital emergency room. There are many counsellors and services available to help victims, such as Lifeline here there are counsellors that victims can talk to over the phone. To talk to Lifeline contact ph: 13 11 14. All calls are confidential.

As visa holders are not eligible for medicare rebates in Australia, the government as set up a compulsory health insurance service called Overseas Student Health Cover or OSHC. This covers any doctors visits or emergency room visits. OSHC must be maintained through out your stay in Australia and an account must be open before your arrival.

OSCH doesn't cover other medical expenses such as dental, optical, physiotherapy or chiropractors. If you require cover for any other medical reasons, the student will need to set up a private health insurance account. This will mean an extra cost. To find the best health insurance provider for you, there are several websites to look at such as: www.privatehealth.gov.au or www.iselect.com.au.

For any general doctor visits, students can contact a General Practitioners office to make an appointment. Doctors offices are located in most suburbs, they can be found in the yellow pages or other local directories. Appointments are essential. General Practioners will be able to provide prescriptions, help with any non life threatening health problems, give injections, treat infections and provide small surgical procedures. All appointments and details are kept private and confidential by law. OSHC partially covers the cost of a doctors visit.

If you have a life threatening condition you can visit the hospital emergency room in your area, or contact 000 for an ambulance if you have restrictions. Doctors will sometimes refer patients to see a specialist in the case of a life threatening condition or if something is out of their depth.

If a doctor sends you home with a script for medication, these can be picked up through the local chemist. On receival of the medication you will need to sign a form stating that you have received the medicine. They will ask you if you have taken this medication before and explain a little about it and how often you are required to take it. Never adjust the stated dosage as this could result in an over dose which could be life threatening.

Bringing prescription medication into Australia can be quite difficult, you will need to bring all copies of medical records and prescriptions with you and declare it to customs. Over seas prescriptions can not be used in Australia, you will need to visit a General Practitioner for a new script.

Most accidents can be prevented through the use of common sense. It is vital to ensure your own personal safety. Never carry large amounts of money on you, keep bags close at all times, lock doors when you leave the house, don't walk alone at night and be wary on public transport (if you feel unsafe call a taxi), never let a stranger drive you home, always have a fully charged mobile phone on you, be confident and if you can learn some self defence. Australia is a safe country, however there are always risks when around other human beings. Always be cautious.

Beaches are a popular option for hot summers days in Australia, if you do not know the beach or the tides always swim somewhere that is patrolled by life guards. Life guards on Australian beaches will place red and yellow flags along the safest strip of the beach, always swim between the flags.

There are many other water ways in Australia, rivers, streams and dams are not safe to swim in especially when alone. If you want to swim go to a swimming pool or a patrolled beach.

To ensure you are safe in the home, make sure your house has working locks on all the doors and windows. If leaving the house or when you are there keep doors locked. Never leave a spare set of keys out side of the house. Make sure you have working smoke alarms (this is compulsory in Australia). Try to prepare an emergency escape plan in the way of which exit to take in the case of an emergency.

The most feared emergency in Australian homes are fires. Fires can start so easily, from a accident or drip in the kitchen, electrical faults or unattended heaters or candles. Due to these risks it is essential that all Australian homes have working smoke alarms, twice a year batteries should be replaced (there will be reminders on television and in newspapers). Smoke alarms run on normal batteries which can be purchased from any supermarket.

In the case of a fire, get out of the house via your escape route/plan. This is why it is essential to have one organised in the case of an emergency. Call the emergency department on 000 and ask for a fire truck, if you are injured or suffering from burns or smoke inhalation you should ask for an ambulance as well.

Use common sense to avoid injury, bad health or emergency. This well help to ensure a safe and happy stay in Australia.