Health and medical information
When your health declines, so does your happiness, your social life and your studies, take time to look after yourself to get the most out of your time in Australia and ensure you don't miss classes.
Homesickness and cultural adjustment
It is very normal to feel homesick, most people who travel experience it at some stage. It can be triggered by different things such as food, smells, music, lifestyle or just missing family and friends.
Homesickness can be experienced at different periods and for different lengths of time. It can make you frustrated, depressed or angry. This can affect your studies and how you react with your classmates.
If you feel homesick, talk to somebody about your feelings. Make sure you keep in contact with family and friends. You might even join a multicultural club. Brisbane North Institute of TAFE has free counselling services to help you with your needs. You can contact these counselling services through Student Services on your campus. Remember, you are here to experience and enjoy a new and different culture!
Physical wellbeing
While you are studying, make sure you eat and drink well. Drink plenty of water through the day and eat a balanced diet of fruit and vegetables. Students can spend a lot of time indoors studying, so you might want to find a sport or hobby to help you get lots of exercise.
Living in a new culture can be stressful and difficult. If you feel lonely or stressed, talk to friends, staff or a campus counsellor.
For more serious issues, your GP or medical health centre are able to refer you to professionals who can help. You can also contact Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre on (07) 3240 2833 or 1800 188 189.
If you are sick and it is not an emergency, you should visit a doctor (known as a GP - general practitioner) or family medical centre. GPs can take care of your non-emergency medical needs or refer you to a specialist doctor or hospital for further treatment. GPs and medical centres are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory under 'Medical Practitioners'.
What happens if you become sick?
- Choose a doctor. You can look for a doctor in the Yellow Pages.
- Phone the doctor or medical centre and make an appointment. If you can't attend your appointment, phone to cancel your appointment.
- Go to your appointment. Your doctor will ask questions about your health. Your doctor may give you a prescription for medicine. Some medicines are paid for by Health Insurance, but not all, ask the customer service officer at the Health Insurance centre which medicines are covered.
- Get a medical certificate. If you are away from your classes, you will need to prove you were sick. A medical certificate from your doctor will show that you were unable to attend class. There is no extra charge for this certificate.
- Pay your bill. At the end of each appointment, show your health insurance card and pay the bill.
If your doctor or medical centre can't process the fees using your health insurance card, you will need to pay all the fees and claim back the government fees from your health Insurance.
Health insurance
The Australian government requires all international students to be covered by health insurance. You must have paid for health cover in order to be granted a visa into Australia. This will cover you for some of the costs of medical treatment during your stay. It covers you for:
- emergency medical advice and assistance
- legal advice and interpreting services
- some of the fees you pay to a general practitioner or doctor
- some of the fees you pay to a public hospital
- some of the costs of prescription medicines
- some of the costs of emergency ambulance services.
This health cover must remain in force during your whole stay. You can arrange to pay for this health cover through Brisbane North Institute of TAFE or make your own arrangements prior to leaving home.
Your Health Insurance cover provides you with similar insurance to that which all Australians enjoy through the Australian National Health System. Health Insurance provides cover for doctors, x-rays, pathology services and hospital services, additional benefits for prescription medicines and conditional emergency ambulance cover. Health Insurance provides extra services specifically tailored for international students which include 24-hour medical advice, interpreter services and legal advice.
Note: Health Insurance does not cover dental, physiotherapy, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic or private hospital services.
How to get a health insurance card
Before you come to Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, you are required to have some Health Insurance. When you apply for your course you will be asked if you require Health Insurance. If you indicate yes then you need to pay this with your enrolment fees. The International Program Unit will organise this for you with one of the Health Insurance companies in Australia and the card will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Institute.
How to use your health insurance card
If you need to visit a doctor or medical centre, show your health insurance card at the end of the visit. You will be charged the doctor's fee and government fee may be processed by the medical centre. Sometimes the medical centre will not be able to process the fees using your health insurance card and you will need to pay all the fees. In that case, you should keep your receipt and proof of payment and claim the money back through your Heath Insurance.
Please Refer to the international student handbook [
PDF 1.3MB] for more information on health and medical information.
Other languages