Before you arrive in Adelaide, it’s important to know what healthcare insurance you need and what to do if there is an emergency.
In Australia, the primary national emergency number is 000 (also known as Triple Zero).
This puts you through to emergency services for:
You should call 000 if:
If you need police assistance for a non-emergency, call 13 14 44.
Police in Australia are friendly and helpful and have a duty to protect everyone. The police are here to prevent crime and help you if you are in difficulty. You don’t need to worry about language barriers as the police will find someone (free of charge) who speaks your language and helps you communicate with them.
If you or a friend have a life-threatening injury or illness, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
If your Overseas Student Health Cover insurance doesn’t include ambulance use, you can buy ambulance cover from SA Ambulance.
If you see a fire in progress, call 000 and ask for the fire brigade.
As an international student, you must have adequate health insurance for you and your dependents while studying in Australia. You must understand what your obligations are regarding your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Overseas Student Health Cover card
When you buy your required health insurance, you’ll get an Overseas Students’ Health Cover (OSHC) card. You must carry this card with you and show it whenever you need any medical or health services. Make sure you understand what medical services your insurance does and doesn’t cover.
Where can I purchase OSHC?
You must buy your OSHC from an Australian Health fund that has signed an agreement with the Australian Government, permitting them to provide these services.
Learn more about OSHC, including a list of approved OSHC providers here.
Hear from international students about living and studying in Adelaide.
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