Official guides / International students
Health checks and medications
Monash University
Last checked: 6 Oct 2026 UTCWhat this page covers
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If you’re coming to Australia on a student visa, we recommend that you have medical, dental and optical checkups before you leave home. Unless you purchase additional insurance, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) doesn’t cover dental and optical costs, which can be quite high in Australia. You may want to bring spare glasses or contact lenses with you.
If you won’t be on a student visa, you should consider getting Overseas Visitors Health Cover since medical costs can be expensive here.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or you’re taking medication, it could be useful to bring a letter in English (or translated into English) from your doctor describing your healthcare needs.
Declare your medications
You’ll need to declare your medications, including prescription drugs, alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamins and mineral preparation formulas, to Customs when you enter Australia. It’s important that you keep all medications in their original packaging.