About Deakin University Health Service

Deakin Health service is a youth friendly medical service for students and staff. The doctors and nurses are experienced and skilled health care professionals who aim to provide cost effective and confidential (private) health care.

Health-related needs of sub-groups are equally important, including disability, international/exchange, residences, mature age, off campus and country students. Doctors and nurses are used to talking about things young people might find embarrassing or hard to talk about and try to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

You can expect:

Services including

Vaccinations (general, travel, study and work related)
Exercise, dietary and weight management advice including eating disorders
Stress management techniques
Tests and investigations (for example blood tests)
Referral options to other health care providers (for example physiotherapists, specialists or naturopaths)
Contraception
Pregnancy testing and counselling
Mental health prevention, treatment and advice (for example depression, anxiety)
Drug and alcohol counselling (for example smoking cessation)

Plus

Courtesy and a non-judgmental approach to your health care
Respect for your privacy
For you where possible to choose the doctor or nurse you wish to see and to feel safe and comfortable
To request (where possible) a professional interpreter if you have problems understanding English
Health care from doctors and nurses who understand and are committed to young people's health and issues around tertiary study

Cost and appointments

Procedures may vary across each Health service so check with Health service staff on your campus. Currently students are bulk billed (via Medicare) or direct billed (via one of four Overseas Student Health Cover funds) for consultations with the doctor or nurse. All students are encouraged to have and present THEIR VALID Medicare or OSHC card when seeing a doctor or nurse.

When you make an appointment OR drop into the Health Service at Student Life go to reception to let staff know you are there. You may be asked to fill out certain forms. Please be patient and be prepared to wait to see the doctor or nurse. Sometimes it is difficult to run on time, especially when medical emergencies occur or there are extra people to see.

Health advice

Did you know you can talk to a doctor or nurse about anything that is bothering you including work or school problems, sex (for example sexual identity), pregnancy and contraception, stress, mental health, diet, safety (for example violence or injury risk), family issues and drugs?

Referral and advocacy

When necessary Health service staff can act in a support and advocacy role and refer clients to other service providers either within the University (for example Deakin International) or externally (for example private providers or specialist clinics).

We also encourage students and staff to take a preventative approach to health, providing additional resources such as top health topics,
latest health news and health information links.