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As an international student, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) can help cover you for a wide range of hospital and medical treatments. Two central aspects of Australia's healthcare system are general practitioners (GPs) and hospitals. It’s important to know what to expect in case you need to visit either.
4 minute read
Published 18 January 2024
When we think about hospitals, we think about ambulances and sirens and life-threatening emergencies. But emergency medicine is just one of the services provided by the hundreds of hospitals across Australia.
While most hospitals do have emergency rooms, they also have many other specialised departments. You might go for tests ordered by your GP, or to see a specialist, or for non-emergency surgery.
A general practitioner is a doctor with a broad range of medical knowledge. They will often be the first person you talk to about any health issue. GPs can provide general assistance and advice for almost any non-emergency health condition. If they can’t, they’ll connect you with a specialist or another health professional who can.
There are more than 30,000 GPs across Australia, so you should never have trouble finding one, especially in the larger cities. GPs might work out of large clinics or medical centres, or they might have their own private practice.
During your time in Australia, if you have a non-emergency health concern, find a GP in your area and make an appointment, either by phoning their reception or booking online. Bupa-friendly doctors submit your claim directly to us after your appointment, helping to reduce or eliminate any upfront costs.
On the day of your appointment (sometimes called a consultation), you should arrive 15-20 minutes early. There will probably be some paperwork for you to fill out with your personal details, contact information, and health history. You’ll then meet one-on-one with the doctor, who will ask you questions and assess your health.
Many health concerns can be assessed over the phone or with a video call. Blua lets Bupa OSHC members book and attend online appointments with doctors across Australia, 24/7^.
Your doctor might write you a prescription (or ‘script’), which you would then take to a pharmacy to get your medication. They might organise some tests (such as blood tests or x-rays) to get more information about your condition.
Your doctor might also refer you to a specialist. This is another doctor who is highly skilled in a specific area of medicine (for example, a dermatologist or psychologist). Your GP may also suggest you book a follow-up appointment, so they can check on your progress and make sure you’re getting better.
If you have a life-threatening health emergency and get taken to hospital in an ambulance, they’ll automatically take you to the closest hospital with the facilities you need. But if you’re visiting hospital for a non-emergency health issue, your health insurance provider will help you nominate which hospital you’d prefer to visit.
There are two types of hospital in Australia: public (managed by the government) and private (managed by a private organisation).
In public hospitals, you might need to wait slightly longer for a doctor to become available. If you have a procedure that requires you to stay overnight, you might share a room with other patients.
In private hospitals, you may be able to choose your doctor or surgeon, and you’ll have a better chance of staying in a private room while you recover (where available and clinically appropriate)*.
A Bupa OSHC policy can help cover the cost of GP visits, as well as public and private hospitals across Australia.
But keep in mind that doctors, specialists, and hospitals each decide how much to charge for their services, and some will cost more than others. This may leave you with some out-of-pocket expenses.
If you’re making an appointment for non-emergency healthcare and need help working out how much your OSHC will cover, get in touch.
