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How to talk about sex

Have you ever wanted to talk about sex with your friends or peers and didn’t know how or where to start? Maybe you had a question about a sexual experience, or you wanted to hear their thoughts.   Some international students have shared with us that they felt unsure on […]

Busting myths about hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can be confusing, and that’s led to some common myths. This Hepatitis Awareness Week (28 July – 3 August), let’s look at the facts to clear things up.  Firstly, what is hep B?  Hepatitis B (hep B) is a liver infection caused by the hep B virus. It’s […]

Five tips for finding trustworthy information on social media

Do you ever find yourself looking for sexual health information online and even on social media? How can you tell if the information you are seeing is credible, reliable or really not the best? This month, the International Student Health Hub sat down with Aiman Rizal, a PhD researcher and […]

Visit the blog
How to talk about sex

Have you ever wanted to talk about sex with your friends or peers and didn’t know how or where to start? Maybe you had a question about a sexual experience, or you wanted to hear their thoughts.   Some international students have shared with us that they felt unsure on […]

Busting myths about hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can be confusing, and that’s led to some common myths. This Hepatitis Awareness Week (28 July – 3 August), let’s look at the facts to clear things up.  Firstly, what is hep B?  Hepatitis B (hep B) is a liver infection caused by the hep B virus. It’s […]

Five tips for finding trustworthy information on social media

Do you ever find yourself looking for sexual health information online and even on social media? How can you tell if the information you are seeing is credible, reliable or really not the best? This month, the International Student Health Hub sat down with Aiman Rizal, a PhD researcher and […]

Mardi Gras: Free to Be and community supports

The iconic Mardi Gras Festival is back from 14th February to 2nd March 2025! Celebrating its 47th year, the festival’s theme is Free to Be.   “Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will […]

Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian healthcare system and your rights.

Australia’s health system provides quality, safe and affordable health care for people and their families. There are many providers of healthcare in Australia, including: primary care services delivered by general practitioners (GPs); medical specialists; allied health workers; pharmacists and nurses.

When getting healthcare in Australia, you have seven basic rights:

  1. Access: You have a right to healthcare services and treatment that meet your needs.
  2. Safety: You have a right to receive safe and high-quality healthcare and to be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes you feel safe.
  3. Respect: You have a right to be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect. Your culture, identity, beliefs and choices must be recognised and respected.
  4. Partnership: You have a right to ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication. You can make decisions with your healthcare provider.
  5. Information: You have a right to receive clear information about your condition, as well as the possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so you can give your informed consent. You also have the right to access your health information.
  6. Privacy: You have a right to have your personal privacy respected — information about you and your health must be kept secure and confidential.
  7. Give feedback: You have a right to provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that you are treated.

Most of what you say to health workers is confidential, and your confidentiality is a high priority as part of your health-care rights. However, health workers are bound by law to report certain things.

As an international student in Australia, you are required to have overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your study in Australia. OSHC includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance cover and limited medicines. Find out what you need to know about OSHC here.

Healthcare rights ensure all patients and carers in Australia receive safe, high-quality care in partnership with healthcare providers.

If you would like an interpreter to help you access health services or information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

About the Australian healthcare systemAbout the Australian healthcare system

More Resources

What are my healthcare rights?What are my healthcare rights?

More Resources

NSW sexual healthcare optionsNSW sexual healthcare options

More NSW sexual healthcare options

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