COVIDSafe
Deakin is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our students, staff and University community. Campus life is at the heart of the Deakin experience. We can all stay well by choosing to stay ahead of COVID.
The guidance for staff, students and visitors is not to attend the campus if you are symptomatic.
We continue to monitor Victorian State Government guidelines to ensure our campuses promote the safety and wellbeing of our community.
Overseas Student Health Cover
If you are coming to Australia on a Student Visa, you need to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). If you are bringing your spouse or children, they also need to be covered under your OSHC.
Having OSHC means that you can access healthcare services in Australia – like going to the doctors or hospital. Your OSHC provider will cover some or all of the cost, depending on how it is billed. Your OSHC must be valid the entire time you are in Australia on your student visa.
The cost of OSHC through Deakin’s partner insurance company, BUPA, will be included in your Letter of Offer. You can choose to pay this cost along with your tuition fees, or arrange your own cover through a different insurer of your choice.
There are some exceptions for students from Sweden, Norway, or Belgium as you may be covered under your own national schemes.
Learn more about OSHC
Find out if your country has an OSHC agreement
Finding an OSHC
Deakin has partnered with Australian insurance company BUPA to offer students pre-arranged OSHC. If you pay your OSHC fee with your tuition fees, you will automatically be covered by BUPA's overseas student health cover for the whole time that you are enrolled at Deakin. You can review the policy details to check whether this policy is right for you.
Students who choose BUPA's pre-arranged health care will receive their BUPA OSHC card from Deakin/BUPA staff at the on-campus Enrolment and Orientation session.
Your BUPA policy becomes active from the date you arrive in Australia. You can change your OSHC start date to the date of your arrival in the country by contacting BUPA directly before or after you arrive. If you have paid for days when you were not yet in Australia, a refund will be provided at the completion of your policy. You will need to provide supporting evidence such as a new visa grant notice or a record of movement from the Department of Home Affairs to show as evidence of your arrival date.
For information about BUPA OSHC cover and COVID-19, please visit the BUPA website.
Different providers will offer different services and benefits. You can find out more about other Australian OSHC providers on the Department of Health website.
Students who seek their own OSHC provider will need to contact their OSHC to find out when they will receive their card.
Your OSHC and student visa
Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) must cover the entire duration of your student visa. Deakin calculates the length of your OSHC based on your course length and advice from the Department of Home Affairs which outlines the typical visa end dates.
Length of course: 10 months or longer, finishing at the end of the Australian academic year (November to December)
Length of student visa: You will usually be granted a visa stay period to 15 March of the following year
Length of course: 10 months or longer, finishing from January until October
Length of student visa: You will usually be granted a visa stay period of two months longer than the course
Length of course: Less than 10 months
Length of student visa: You will usually be granted a visa stay period one month longer than the course
If you choose BUPA's pre-arranged OSHC, your BUPA policy becomes active from the date you arrive in Australia. If your plans have changed, you can change your OSHC start date to the new date of your arrival in the country by contacting BUPA directly before or after you arrive. If you have paid for time that you were not yet in Australia, a refund will be provided at the completion of your policy. You will need to provide supporting evidence such as a new visa grant notice or a record of movement from the Department of Home Affairs to show as evidence of your arrival date.
Postgraduate research students
The length of stay for postgraduate research students is generally six months longer than the usual relevant period set out in the table above.
Healthcare in Australia
Australia has a world-class healthcare system. No matter which Deakin campus you choose to study at, you will have access to quality hospitals, medical clinics and specialists such as dentists and optometrists in your local community. Healthcare providers can charge different prices for their services, so it is best to check prices before you make an appointment and confirm whether your OSHC will cover all or some of the cost. If you aren’t sure where to go, Deakin’s on-campus medical centres and services are free under your OSHC and easy to access.
We have doctors, nurses and counsellors on campus
Whether it is a general check-up or some medical advice, our on-campus medical centres can help. Our doctors and nurses provide the highest level of care to all Deakin students and staff – and it won’t cost you anything under your OSHC. We also have a free and confidential counselling service.
Staying healthy at Deakin is easy
Just like when you are on holidays, settling into a new country can turn your normal health and fitness routine upside down. Here at Deakin, there are lots of ways you can stay healthy – with a wide range of sporting clubs, gyms and health food options on campus, it is easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Safety and security on campus
We have campus security guards working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact them directly by phone or with our SafeZone mobile phone and tablet app. The SafeZone app can be downloaded to any iOS or Android device and it works at each of our campuses.
Safety and security off campus
Australia is generally a very safe place to live and study, but there are some risks you should be aware of. Study Australia has a useful guide to staying safe in situations like travelling on public transport, experiencing Australia’s beaches and nature, and practising good security habits at home.
Emergency services
It is important to know what to do if you experience or see an emergency. Wherever you are in Australia, you can call 000 for free and be connected to Police, Fire and Ambulance services. If you are not sure which one you need, just tell the operator the situation and they will help guide you. If you don’t feel confident explaining in English, tell the operator your language and you will be connected to a translator who can help. If you are in a situation where emergency services workers are present, stay calm and follow their instructions.