Medical Services

Lake Macquarie Campus

Avondale Shopping Village, located at the end of College Drive, offers a range of services including general medical, pathology services and a pharmacy. Other nearby health services include general and specialist practitioners, dental services, optometrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists.

Wyong Hospital is the closest public hospital to the Lake Macquarie campus.

Sydney Campus

Students on the Sydney campus have access to a range of health services at the Sydney Adventist Hospital and the Fox Valley Medical and Dental Centre. Other nearby health services include general medical and specialist practitioners, dental services, optometrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital is the closest public hospital to the Sydney campus. The Sydney Adventist Hospital also offers urgent emergency treatment to private patients.

Medical Cover

Domestic Students

To receive medical treatment as a domestic student, you must be registered with Medicare, Australia’s government healthcare system. Membership with Medicare provides access to free treatment as a patient in a public hospital as well as subsidised treatment by medical practitioners including general practitioners and specialists nominated by the hospital. Ambulance services are not covered by Medicare.

You can apply for a Medicare card independent of your parents, and will need to do so before arriving at Avondale. You may need to produce proof of your student status when applying for a Medicare card, so remember to keep your acceptance letter from Avondale.

Medicare Australia

Private medical insurance offers more comprehensive health cover than standard medicare cover, and includes the benefit of private hospital usage and extras. ACA Health Benefit Fund is available to students who are connected to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and/or associated entities.

New Zealand Students

New Zealand citizens who come to Australia for the specific purpose of study are ineligible for Medicare benefits. However, New Zealand students who do not have permanent residence are eligible to be treated at all public hospitals under Reciprocal Health Care arrangements. Presentation of a New Zealand passport will be required. A refund for doctor services can be obtained by presenting a paid tax invoice, along with a passport, to a Medicare office.

International students

To receive a visa, the Australian Government requires international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Cover is required for the full length of the course and must be paid up front. OSHC is organised through the Admission Enquiry Centre.

Ambulance Cover

Domestic Students (Australia and New Zealand)

Ambulance cover is not covered by Medicare. Students are responsible for ensuring they are covered through membership in a private health fund for ambulance transport in New South Wales.

International Students

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is compulsory for international students, covers the full charge for emergency ambulance transport. However, routine journeys in an ambulance, even if offered by medical personnel, are not covered.