Health
Accessing medical professionals
If you need to see a Medical Professional for any health concern that is not life-threatening, you will need to visit a medical centre or private medical practice. There is a Student Health Service available on campus, where you can access a range of medical services, including General Practitioner (Doctor) consultations. Most medical centres require you to make an appointment prior to attending.
You should not go to an emergency department or hospital for minor concerns.
Personal counselling and psychotherapy are also available in many locations around Perth, and on campus. Counselling is an accepted and effective option for many personal and mental health concerns in Australia. It is also quite acceptable to ask for assistance with personal matters in Australian culture.Birth control and sexual counselling
The Family Planning Association of WA (FPWA) Clinics are available to all students whether married or single. They provide a doctor with whom you can discuss in private any queries or worries you may have about sex or birth control. FPWA also has a telephone counselling service. Just phone 9227 6178 between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. FPWA conducts clinics at its main office, 70 Roe Street, Northbridge, telephone 9227 6177. There is a membership charge of $15 per year which entitles full time students to an unlimited number of consultations with a doctor.
Note that oral contraceptives are available only on a doctor's prescription or from FPWA.
For pregnant students, the hospital costs of having a baby are largely covered by your Health Insurance, if you have been a member for more than 3 months. For more information visit the FPWA website.
Sexually transmissible diseases
If you are worried about possible sexually transmissible diseases you should consult a doctor, who can then refer you to the appropriate medical service. General information is available by phoning 9227 6178 in Perth metropolitan area or 1800 198 205 in country area.
AIDS
A range of pamphlets containing information and advice about the AIDS virus is available FREE from the WA AIDS Council (telephone 9482 0044), Doctors surgeries and Student Health Services. For more information on AIDS, visit the WA Aids Council website.
Alcohol and smoking
The legal drinking and smoking ages in Australia is 18 years and you must carry proof of age whenever consuming or purchasing alcohol or cigarettes. For those who are not used to the freedom this provides, please don't forget to consider the health and safety of yourself and those around you.
It is an offence in Western Australia for persons of any age to drink in public, such as on the street, park or beach. In Western Australia, smoking is not permitted inside any enclosed public places, such as restaurants, pubs, clubs, nightclubs and most workplaces unless otherwise specified. There are strict regulations and controls for how alcohol and tobacco is sold, supplied and consumed in Western Australia. It is your responsibility to ensure you comply with Western Australian law when consuming these.