Study abroad·Australia & New Zealand· 9 min read

Seeing a Doctor as a Student in Australia and New Zealand: GPs, Bulk Billing and Using Your Health Cover

How international students see a GP in Australia and New Zealand: OSHC, bulk billing and gap fees, registering with a doctor, pharmacies and emergency numbers.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Australia — student cover: OSHC is compulsory for the subclass 500 visa; most students are not on Medicare
New Zealand — student cover: Approved medical & travel insurance is mandatory; students are not publicly funded
Australia GP benefit: OSHC pays a benefit based on the MBS fee; bulk-billing clinics charge you nothing at the visit
New Zealand GP access: Register as a casual (non-funded) patient; casual/visitor fees are higher — claim via insurance
Emergency numbers: Australia: 000. New Zealand: 111 (ask for ambulance)
Free health advice line: Australia: healthdirect. New Zealand: Healthline 0800 611 116

How healthcare works for international students

In both Australia and New Zealand, the general practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for most non-emergency health needs — from illness and infections to referrals for specialists, tests and mental-health support. As an international student you usually pay for care through mandatory student health insurance rather than the public system.

In Australia, most international students are not eligible for Medicare (the public health scheme). Instead, holding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory condition of the subclass 500 student visa for the whole time you study. In New Zealand, international students on a student visa are generally not eligible for publicly funded health care and must hold approved medical and travel insurance for the duration of their study — a requirement under the Pastoral Care Code and a condition of the student visa.

This guide explains how to actually see a doctor and use your cover. It is general information, not medical advice — for any health concern, consult a qualified health professional.

Seeing a GP in Australia and using OSHC

To see a GP in Australia, find a local clinic (a general practice or medical centre) and book an appointment by phone or online; walk-in appointments are sometimes available but booking ahead is usual. Many campuses have an on-site health service that is used to helping international students.

OSHC generally reimburses a benefit based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee — typically a set percentage of the scheduled fee for a standard GP visit. Because many GPs charge more than the MBS fee, you may face a gap (out-of-pocket) amount to pay yourself. Some clinics bulk bill, meaning they accept the scheduled fee as full payment so you pay nothing at the point of care; ask whether a clinic bulk bills for OSHC patients before booking. Your OSHC provider often lists clinics that direct-bill or have no-gap arrangements.

OSHC typically helps cover GP and specialist visits, some hospital treatment, ambulance and limited prescription medicines, but usually not dental, optical or physiotherapy unless you buy extra cover. Check exactly what your policy covers and how to claim on your provider's website. Australia's emergency number is 000.

Seeing a GP in New Zealand and using your insurance

In New Zealand, because you are not eligible to formally enrol as a funded patient, you can register with a general practice as a casual (non-funded) patient. Casual patients and international visitors generally pay a higher, unsubsidised fee per visit, which you then claim back from your student insurance according to your policy terms.

Register with a practice near where you live early, rather than waiting until you are unwell, so you have somewhere to go quickly. Keep your insurance details and policy number handy, understand what your policy covers and any excess, and keep receipts to claim. Your university's international student health service can help you find a practice and understand your cover.

New Zealand also has ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation), which helps cover treatment costs for accidental injuries for everyone in the country, including international students, so an accident-related injury is treated differently from an illness. New Zealand's emergency number is 111, and Healthline offers free 24/7 health advice on 0800 611 116.

Bulk billing vs gap fees — keeping costs down

The biggest source of confusion for new students is the difference between what a clinic charges and what your cover pays. In Australia, a bulk-billing clinic charges only the scheduled fee and claims it directly, so you pay nothing at the visit; a non-bulk-billing clinic charges its own fee, your OSHC pays its share (a set percentage of the MBS fee), and you pay the gap.

To reduce costs: ask whether a clinic bulk bills or has a direct-billing or no-gap agreement with your insurer before you book; use your provider's list of preferred clinics; and consider your on-campus health service, which is often set up for students. Keep any invoices so you can claim reimbursement.

In New Zealand, casual-patient fees vary between practices, so it is worth asking the fee upfront and checking what your insurance reimburses. In both countries, never skip needed care over cost worries — speak to your university health service or your insurer about your options.

Pharmacies, prescriptions and specialists

For most prescription medicines you first see a GP, who writes a prescription you fill at a pharmacy (chemist). As an international student you generally pay the full or a higher price for medicines rather than the subsidised local price, though your OSHC or insurance may reimburse limited pharmaceutical costs — check your policy. Pharmacists can also advise on minor ailments and sell over-the-counter medicines without a prescription.

To see a specialist, you usually need a referral from a GP first. The GP is the gateway to the wider system, including pathology (blood tests), imaging and specialist care, and to mental-health support, which universities also provide through student counselling services.

Keep a small personal record of any regular medicines you take (using their generic names) and any allergies, so a local doctor can treat you safely. Bring enough of any essential medication to start with, along with a copy of your prescription.

Emergencies and urgent care

For a life-threatening emergency — such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, serious injury or loss of consciousness — call the emergency number immediately: 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand, and ask for an ambulance. Emergency departments at public hospitals treat anyone in a genuine emergency.

For urgent but non-life-threatening problems, use an urgent care or after-hours clinic rather than the emergency department where possible. For health advice at any hour, Australia has healthdirect (a free helpline and website) and New Zealand has Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Ambulance and hospital costs can be significant and are handled differently by OSHC and by New Zealand insurance and ACC, so understand in advance what your cover includes. In a real emergency, get help first and sort out payment afterwards — do not delay calling for help.

Frequently asked questions

Do international students get free healthcare in Australia or New Zealand?

Generally no. In Australia most international students are not eligible for Medicare and must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) throughout their studies. In New Zealand, students on a student visa are usually not eligible for publicly funded health care and must hold approved medical and travel insurance. India does not have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, so Indian students rely on OSHC.

What is bulk billing and how does a gap fee work?

In Australia, a bulk-billing clinic accepts the Medicare-scheduled fee as full payment, so you pay nothing at the visit. A non-bulk-billing clinic charges its own fee; your OSHC pays a benefit based on the MBS fee and you pay the difference, called the gap. Ask whether a clinic bulk bills or has a no-gap arrangement with your insurer before booking.

How do I see a doctor in New Zealand as a student?

Register with a local general practice as a casual (non-funded) patient soon after you arrive, keep your insurance details handy, and book an appointment when you need care. Casual and visitor fees are higher than for funded locals, so ask the fee upfront and keep receipts to claim from your insurance. Your university's international health service can help you find a practice.

What number do I call in an emergency?

Call 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand for a life-threatening emergency and ask for an ambulance. For urgent but non-emergency issues, use an after-hours or urgent care clinic. For free advice any time, use healthdirect in Australia or Healthline on 0800 611 116 in New Zealand.

Does my cover pay for prescriptions, dental and glasses?

OSHC and student insurance usually help with GP and specialist visits, some hospital care, ambulance and limited prescription medicines, but typically not dental, optical or physiotherapy unless you buy extra cover. As an international student you generally pay more for medicines than subsidised locals. Check exactly what your policy covers and how to claim on your provider's website.

What is ACC in New Zealand?

ACC (the Accident Compensation Corporation) helps cover treatment costs for accidental injuries for everyone in New Zealand, including international students. So an accident-related injury (like a broken bone or sports injury) is handled differently from an illness, which you claim through your private insurance. This is general information — check your cover and the official sources for details.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — Study Australia; Reciprocal Health Care Agreements — Services Australia; Who can get public health care — Immigration New Zealand; Fee-paying student visa (insurance requirement) — Immigration New Zealand.

Last verified: 3 July 2026.