{"id":22402,"date":"2025-11-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T00:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/?p=22402"},"modified":"2026-02-28T17:02:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T11:32:56","slug":"students-in-australia-access-medicare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can International Students in Australia Access Medicare?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Understanding_Medicare_for_International_Students_in_Australia\" >Understanding Medicare for International Students in Australia&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Steps_to_Access_Medicare_in_Australia\" >Steps to Access Medicare in Australia&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Purchase_Overseas_Student_Health_Cover_OSHC\" >Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Check_Your_Medicare_Eligibility\" >Check Your Medicare Eligibility&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Apply_for_Medicare\" >Apply for Medicare&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Provide_the_Required_Documents\" >Provide the Required Documents&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Enroll_Start_Using_Medicare\" >Enroll &amp; Start Using Medicare&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Important_Things_to_Know_About_Medicare_in_Australia\" >Important Things to Know About Medicare in Australia&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Why_Health_Insurance_Matters_in_Student_Accommodation\" >Why Health Insurance Matters in Student Accommodation?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Do_international_students_have_Medicare_in_Australia\" >Do international students have Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#How_can_a_foreigner_get_Medicare_in_Australia\" >How can a foreigner get Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Who_is_eligible_for_Medicare_benefits_in_Australia\" >Who is eligible for Medicare benefits in Australia?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#Is_healthcare_free_for_students_in_Australia\" >Is healthcare free for students in Australia?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/tips-and-tricks\/students-in-australia-access-medicare\/#What_is_not_covered_by_Medicare_in_Australia\" >What is not covered by Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Let\u2019s&nbsp;be honest, figuring out&nbsp;Medicare for international students in Australia&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;the most fun part of moving abroad.&nbsp;You\u2019re&nbsp;trying to sort flights, classes,&nbsp;maybe hunt&nbsp;for decent&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;near campus &amp;&nbsp;suddenly&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;hit with health insurance rules too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But&nbsp;here\u2019s&nbsp;the thing: healthcare&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;cheap here. Like, a quick GP visit&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sydney or Melbourne can easily hit AUD $70\u2013$120,&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;hospital stays?&nbsp;Yeah,&nbsp;let\u2019s&nbsp;not even go there.&nbsp;So&nbsp;understanding how Medicare works, &amp;&nbsp;whether you can access it,&nbsp;really matters when&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/study-in-australia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studying in Australia<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;Let\u2019s&nbsp;walk through what you need to know before you land and panic-Google \u201cHow to get Medicare in Australia\u201d at 2 AM in your dorm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Medicare_for_International_Students_in_Australia\"><\/span>Understanding Medicare for International Students in Australia&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicare for international students in Australia&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;exactly straightforward. Unless you are from a country that has signed a&nbsp;special&nbsp;deal with Australian government, you will&nbsp;not have&nbsp;medicare&nbsp;at all.&nbsp;This means you have to rely on&nbsp;the Overseas&nbsp;Student Health Cover.&nbsp;By&nbsp;the way,&nbsp;it&nbsp;is&nbsp;not a&nbsp;suggestion,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;a mandatory requirement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The&nbsp;Department of Home Affairs&nbsp;clearly mentions that every student visa applicant must have&nbsp;active&nbsp;OSHC for their entire stay. No OSHC, no visa.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;that simple.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why\u2019s&nbsp;everyone so strict about it? Because healthcare costs here can get wild. A single GP visit can set you back&nbsp;AUD $70\u2013$120. And a&nbsp;hospital stay might easily exceed AUD $1,000 a night.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>So&nbsp;yeah, skipping insurance is not an option if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;living in&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/country\/australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student accommodation in Australia<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;trying to stick to a student budget.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Steps_to_Access_Medicare_in_Australia\"><\/span>Steps to Access Medicare in Australia&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we know the basics of things,&nbsp;let\u2019s&nbsp;talk about how&nbsp;one&nbsp;you&nbsp;can get&nbsp;your&nbsp;medicare&nbsp;sorted. The process can sound complicated, but once you know the order of things,&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;very straightforward. Most students manage&nbsp;it&nbsp;alongside setting their student accommodation in Australia.&nbsp;So&nbsp;here\u2019s&nbsp;how you can access&nbsp;Medicare for international students in Australia:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Purchase_Overseas_Student_Health_Cover_OSHC\"><\/span>Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You must buy&nbsp;OSHC before your visa is activated. Think of it as your entry ticket to Australia\u2019s healthcare system.&nbsp;Major providers like&nbsp;Allianz Care, BUPA, Medibank,&nbsp;etc.&nbsp;offer OSHC plans that cost around&nbsp;AUD $500 \u2013 $700\/- year&nbsp;for singles. This depends on your cover.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>OSHC&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;usually include&nbsp;dental, optical, or physiotherapy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;someone who wears glasses or plays sports often,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;want an&nbsp;extras&nbsp;policy&nbsp;for peace of mind.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_Your_Medicare_Eligibility\"><\/span>Check Your Medicare Eligibility&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up, see if you can qualify&nbsp;for&nbsp;Medicare for international students in Australia. You can do so by applying for things if:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You hold a&nbsp;temporary visa listed in a Ministerial Order.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can prove&nbsp;residency in Australia.&nbsp;This can happen&nbsp;if you show the lease of your<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>student accommodation, an Australian bank statement, or university enrollment letter.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Or if you are from an&nbsp;RHCA country,&nbsp;giving&nbsp;you limited public healthcare access. It is usually up for six months.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;Department of Home Affairs, only about&nbsp;1 in 20 student visa holders&nbsp;meet these conditions. Still, even limited Medicare access can save hundreds&nbsp;on&nbsp;doctor visits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apply_for_Medicare\"><\/span>Apply for Medicare&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply for it online through&nbsp;myGov&nbsp;account. Or you can do so&nbsp;in-person by going&nbsp;at&nbsp;a local&nbsp;Medicare Service Centre. You will need&nbsp;to upload or bring your passport, visa grant notice, proof of&nbsp;OSHC&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;your&nbsp;Australian address.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Once things get approved, you will get your&nbsp;Medicare card,&nbsp;usually within two weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>That little green card lets you access&nbsp;bulk-billed GP visits,&nbsp;public hospital care, &amp;&nbsp;some&nbsp;prescription benefits.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Provide_the_Required_Documents\"><\/span>Provide the Required Documents&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can come with&nbsp;simple&nbsp;checklist of documents like passport,&nbsp;Proof of identity, Proof of residency &amp;&nbsp;OSHC policy confirmation. One tip for you is to always bring both printed and digital copies. Many students in&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;use their tenancy agreement as proof of residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enroll_Start_Using_Medicare\"><\/span>Enroll &amp; Start Using Medicare&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your eligibility is confirmed,&nbsp;you can use&nbsp;medicare&nbsp;for international students in Australia&nbsp;for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/news\/sick-in-australia-heres-what-you-can-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">basic healthcare<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;You\u2019ll&nbsp;still need to&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;your&nbsp;OSHC&nbsp;for your entire visa duration. Medicare&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a replacement;&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;an&nbsp;add-on safety net.&nbsp;With your&nbsp;Medicare card,&nbsp;you can:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit&nbsp;bulk-billing doctors&nbsp;(no out-of-pocket cost)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Get treatment in&nbsp;public hospitals&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Access&nbsp;subsidised&nbsp;medicines under the&nbsp;Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_Things_to_Know_About_Medicare_in_Australia\"><\/span>Important Things to Know About Medicare in Australia&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you dive in, there are a few things&nbsp;most people miss.&nbsp;Medicare for international students in Australia&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a full swap for OSHC. And where you live can change how easy care is to access. If your&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;is close to clinics or hospitals, life\u2019s simpler, especially during exams. Keep these in mind while comparing&nbsp;student accommodation in Australia:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OSHC Coverage Gaps:<\/strong>&nbsp;OSHC&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;cover everything.&nbsp;You\u2019ll&nbsp;likely pay&nbsp;extra for dental, optical, physiotherapy, &amp;&nbsp;elective procedures. According to PrivateHealth.gov.au, about&nbsp;40% of international students&nbsp;upgrade to extra cover in their first year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA):<\/strong>&nbsp;If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;from an RHCA country, you can access essential treatment for up to&nbsp;six months&nbsp;from your arrival date. After that, OSHC becomes your main cover again. Many students use this RHCA period to settle into their&nbsp;student accommodation.&nbsp;They will also&nbsp;open a local bank&nbsp;account, and&nbsp;get familiar with clinics around campus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Proof of Residence Requirement: <\/strong>You&nbsp;can\u2019t&nbsp;apply for&nbsp;medicare&nbsp;for international students in Australia&nbsp;before proving you&nbsp;actually live&nbsp;here. That means&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;need to show proof of&nbsp;address. You can usually&nbsp;use your&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;lease, an electricity bill, or a bank statement to do so.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Health_Insurance_Matters_in_Student_Accommodation\"><\/span>Why Health Insurance Matters in Student Accommodation?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine&nbsp;this,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;in&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;in&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/australia\/city\/melbourne\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Melbourne <\/a><\/strong>or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/australia\/city\/sydney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sydney<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;You wake up with a bad cough, need a doctor,&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;realize&nbsp;your OSHC&nbsp;expired. A basic&nbsp;doctor\u2019s&nbsp;visit could cost you&nbsp;AUD $100 or more. And if you need lab tests or emergency care, that bill can jump to&nbsp;AUD $500\u2013$1,000&nbsp;easily.&nbsp;That\u2019s&nbsp;money that&nbsp;could\u2019ve&nbsp;gone toward your rent or weekend trips.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So before signing your housing contract, make sure your&nbsp;OSHC is active.&nbsp;Most&nbsp;student accommodations in Australia&nbsp;are&nbsp;located&nbsp;near clinics and hospitals.&nbsp;So&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;smart to know your local GP early on. Health cover might not sound exciting, but&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;the safety net that keeps your study life stress-free.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So&nbsp;here\u2019s&nbsp;the deal, get your OSHC first. Then check if you qualify for&nbsp;Medicare for international students in&nbsp;Australia, &amp;&nbsp;keep your&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;lease handy. Once&nbsp;that\u2019s&nbsp;done, everything else falls into place. Health cover means peace of mind. No surprise bills, no panic&nbsp;Googling&nbsp;at midnight. Just focus on classes and&nbsp;uni&nbsp;life in&nbsp;student accommodation in Australia. And if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;still looking for a verified place to stay,&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University Living<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;can help you find, compare, &amp; book student homes near top universities. Quick, easy, &amp;&nbsp;stress-free.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1762756687978\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_international_students_have_Medicare_in_Australia\"><\/span>Do international students have Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Not\u00a0usually. Medicare is\u00a0mainly for\u00a0Australian residents. Most international students\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0eligible, so\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0required to\u00a0have\u00a0<strong>OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)<\/strong>\u00a0for the entire duration of their studies. OSHC acts as their main health cover while\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0in the country.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1762756723894\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_a_foreigner_get_Medicare_in_Australia\"><\/span>How can a foreigner get Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You can\u00a0enrol\u00a0only if your temporary visa appears under a Ministerial Order. This includes Fulbright scholars, certain partner visas, &amp; people supported under trafficking-related protection programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1762756735601\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_is_eligible_for_Medicare_benefits_in_Australia\"><\/span>Who is eligible for Medicare benefits in Australia?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Medicare is meant for permanent residents. Or PR applicants under certain\u00a0rules, &amp;\u00a0temporary residents covered by a Ministerial Order. Some island residents linked to Australia are also included.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1762756751332\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_healthcare_free_for_students_in_Australia\"><\/span>Is healthcare free for students in Australia?\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, healthcare\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0automatically free for overseas students. They rely on OSHC or pay privately, unless they fall into a rare eligibility category for Medicare.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1762756763056\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_not_covered_by_Medicare_in_Australia\"><\/span>What is not covered by Medicare in Australia?\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Medicare\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0cover treatment overseas, cosmetic procedures, most dental or optical care, or ambulance services. Students usually need\u00a0OSHC\u00a0or extra private cover for these gaps.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s&nbsp;be honest, figuring out&nbsp;Medicare for international students in Australia&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;the most fun part of moving abroad.&nbsp;You\u2019re&nbsp;trying to sort flights, classes,&nbsp;maybe hunt&nbsp;for decent&nbsp;student accommodation&nbsp;near campus &amp;&nbsp;suddenly&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;hit with health insurance rules too.&nbsp; But&nbsp;here\u2019s&nbsp;the thing: healthcare&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;cheap here. Like, a quick GP visit&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sydney or Melbourne can easily hit AUD $70\u2013$120,&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;hospital stays?&nbsp;Yeah,&nbsp;let\u2019s&nbsp;not even go there.&nbsp;So&nbsp;understanding how Medicare works, &amp;&nbsp;whether you can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":22403,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[976],"tags":[5],"class_list":{"0":"post-22402","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tips-and-tricks","8":"tag-australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}