Health insurance is a requirement of your visa, and you should ensure you bring any relevant medical documentation with you for prescriptions with the necessary translations.

Overseas Student Health Cover

The Australian Government requires that all international students in Australia maintain medical cover through an approved OSHC provider, for the full period of your student visa.

Your OSHC will help to pay for any medical or hospital care you may need while studying in Australia, and contributes towards to the costs of most prescription medicines and an ambulance in emergency. The cover does not include dental, optical or physiotherapy, additional private health insurance will need to be purchased if these services are required

If you need medical help in Brisbane, you should go to doctor’s surgeries that can send the bill directly to your OSHC insurance provider. This is called ‘bulk billing’ and means you only have to pay the difference between what is owed to the doctor and what your insurance will cover. Also, most OSHC providers will not cover any private health care; so don’t let your doctor recommend you to a private hospital for x-rays and surgical procedures unless absolutely necessary, or else it will end up costing you a fortune!

Your institution will be able to offer you advice on doctors in your area that bulk bill, and understand the conditions of OSHC.

The Queensland Health website has health information available in an number of languages,find out more

There are many laws about having possession of and using illegal drugs. Breaking drug laws can lead to severe penalties. Find out more: http://www.police.qld.gov.au/services/drugs/law/08.htm

Smoking tobacco is prohibited in a growing number of places in Australia, including most government offices, health clinics, workplaces, restaurants and shopping centres. To purchase tobacco products in Australia you must be over 18 years of age.

Drinking alcohol is legal in Australia but there are restrictions to where and when you can consume alcohol. You must be over the age of 18 to purchase and consume alcohol. If you are driving a vehicle, drinking alcohol is discouraged. If you do drink alcohol and intend to drive you must be under 0.05 blood alcohol limit.Find out more here http://www.police.qld.gov.au/services/drugs/law/08.htm

As with anywhere you travel, you should take steps to keep yourself safe:

• always tell someone when you are going out, where you are going and when you expect to return.
• take care travelling at night on your own.
• make use of campus security escorts and bus services where available.
• never leave personal belongings unattended.
• always carry either a mobile phone, change for a pay phone or a phone card.
• it is always wise to take note of any security guidelines provided by your place of study.
• avoid giving your personal information to strangers.
• lock your doors and windows before going out.

Taking care of your sexual health means more than being free from sexually transmissible infections (STIs) or an unplanned pregnancy. It also means taking responsibility for your body, your health, your partner’s health and your decisions about sex. If you are having sex make sure you take the right steps to being safe with your sexual health Being safe protects you from getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and an unplanned pregnancy.

Condoms will protect against unwanted pregnancy as well as serious sexually transmitted infections.They are easy and affordable to buy at the supermarkets and chemists. There is also a form of contraception called the emergency contraception pill, which can help prevent unintended pregnancy. It can be taken by girls within 72 hours after unprotected sex and is available across the counter at chemists, at your local General Practitioner (GP),Family Planning clinic or your sexual health clinic.

Find out more about sexual health

If you become confused and lost while alone and adjusting to your life in Brisbane or find yourself having financial or accommodation problems, give yourself a break. Don’t let your new life overwhelm you and put your personal health above all other concerns

Making friends will help give you a support network as will finding a part time job. Look for special interest groups that you can relate to and force yourself to give your mind a break from rigorous study.

• http://www.mentalhealth.gov.au
• http://www.lifeline.org.au
• http://www.reachout.com.au

The police in Brisbane are friendly, helpful, have a duty to protect everyone and can always be safely approached. They are committed to promoting crime prevention and upholding Australian law. They are always there to help you with difficult situations.Your nearest police station can be found here

Nearby Brisbane are some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, however please do to care when swimming as beaches do have powerful currents and tides. Lifeguards do patrol some beaches and these areas are marked by red and yellow flags – always swim between the flags to ensure your safety.

find out more

Brisbane tap water is clean and safe to drink.

Australia is a very dry country and water is a precious commodity. Many Australian cities and towns experience drought from time to time and often have enforced water restrictions. Do not waste water unnecessarily. Tips on saving water:

• Spend less than 4 minutes in the shower.
• Turn off taps when not in use.
• Only run a full load of dishes or laundry.
• Use economy settings for washing machines and dishwashers and aim for water-efficient appliances.
• Use rainwater or grey-water to water your garden.
• Check for leaks regularly, and fix them.

Mains supply in Australia is 220/240V-AC, 50Hz with three pin plugs used across the country. You can purchase adaptors for any electrical equipment you bring with you from good travel stores, chemists , department stores and the Queen Street Mall Visitor’s Centre.

1300 363 079 - Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm

The Minister for Education Julia Gillard, has announced the establishment of a student hotline - 1300 363 079 to help International students. The hotline allows students to anonymously raise their concerns and the outcomes will be collated and published on the www.studyinaustralia.gov.au site so that all students can benefit from the information

The International Student Hotline is operated by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and provides guidance to overseas students having problems with their safety, education, accommodation or at work.