Destination

Paying taxes in Australia
International students are treated the same as
Australian residents when it comes to paying tax.
Once you have been in Australia for more than six
months you are considered ‘a resident for tax
purposes’. You will be required to pay tax on
earnings from work or interest earned from
banks. If you are here for longer than six months
and you are intending to work, please ensure that
you give your employer a Withholding Declaration
Form from the Australian Taxation Office. By
completing this form you become a resident of
Australia for tax purposes.
The form can be obtained:
n via telephone 1300 720 092
n by visiting your nearest newsagent
n from the web at:
www.ato.gov.au/content/17332.htm
At the end of the financial year, which is 30 June,
you will receive a Payment Summary from your
employer. You will need this to complete your tax
return.
Australian Taxation Office
www.ato.gov.au
Health insurance
International students who are not on a student
visa should consider obtaining health insurance
to help meet the costs of medical and hospital
care which you may need while in Australia.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Overseas student health cover (OSHC) is
compulsory for international students on a
student visa and their dependants in Australia.
It is insurance to assist you meet the possible
costs of medical and hospital care while in
Australia. Exceptions include Norwegian students
covered by the Norwegian National Insurance
Scheme and Swedish students covered by the
National Student Board of Student Aid.
OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance
Your overseas student health cover is provided
by Allianz Global Assistance, which is Monash
University’s preferred provider. Your health cover
starts when you arrive in Australia, or if already in
the country, when you have commenced your
Monash course. Unless otherwise instructed, we
will arrange cover for the duration of your visa.
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This ensures that you maintain adequate
healthcare arrangements and comply with your
student visa conditions. If you are required to
renew your student visa, you will need to extend
your OSHC cover by visiting one of the on-campus
Allianz Global Assistance representatives.
Ordering your OSHC membership card
You must order a membership card directly from
Allianz Global Assistance. Visit the Allianz Global
Assistance website, click on the student menu
and follow the prompts. Use your Monash
student ID number to access your membership
details on their website. Once you have updated
your details and entered your Australian address,
select ‘order your membership card’ option.
The membership card will be posted to you. Your
card will arrive 5–10 working days from the date
you registered online. You can print a temporary
certificate of insurance that can be used as proof
of your OSHC (which is valid for 14 days) until
your membership card arrives.
www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au
Present this membership card every time you visit
a medical service provider.
OSHC cover
Use the website or policy document and
members guide (which you receive with your
membership card) to familiarise yourself with the
OSHC policy and the medical and
pharmaceutical expenses you may have to pay.
Doctors and medical service providers are able to
charge fees, greater than the ‘Medicare benefits
schedule’ (MBS). This charge is above the benefit
amount and is a cost to you. OSHC does not
include any benefits for ancillary services such as
dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you require
additional health cover, you should consider
purchasing OSHC Extras.
Allianz Global Assistance
Allianz Global Assistance representatives visit
your campus at scheduled times. The
representatives can assist you make a claim, help
you to understand your policy, inform you about
direct billing health clinics and extend your policy.
Look for on-campus Allianz Global Assistance
availability at:
www.monash.edu/fees/oshc-time.html