Apr 15 2009
Are You Entitled to Medicare Health Insurance in Australia?
Medicare is the national health insurance programme in Australia. It is similar to (but not the same as) the National Health Service in the UK.
You are entitled to full health insurance coverage under Medicare if:
- You are an Australian citizen
- You are a permanent resident of Australia
If you are living in Australia on a temporary visa, such as a 457 visa, you may or may not be entitled to limited coverage under Medicare. Some countries have reciprocal agreements with Medicare, which means that citizens of those countries living temporarily in Australia are entitled to Medicare coverage, and Australians living in those countries are also entitled to coverage under the national health insurance system, hence the term ‘reciprocal.’
The following countries have a reciprocal agreement for healthcare with Australia:
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Finland
- Norway
- The Netherlands
- Malta
- Italy
If you come from one of these countries, you are entitled to treatment that is medically necessary whilst you are in Australia. This includes visits to doctors, in-patient and out-patient treatment in public hospitals, and drugs subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). It does not include dental treatment.
If you are from the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway or the Netherlands, you are entitled to treatment for the whole of your stay in Australia (i.e. until the expiry date of your visa). If you come from Malta or Italy, you are only entitled to coverage for the first six months of your stay in Australia.
The following two countries also have reciprocal agreements with Australia:
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
However, the terms of the agreements with these countries are slightly different. Citizens of New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland can claim for medically necessary treatment as an out-patient or in-patient in a public hospital and for drugs subsidised under the PBS. Cover for visits to the doctor is not included. Further information on the reciprocal agreements with New Zealand and Ireland can be found here.
If you come to Australia from any other country and are on a temporary visa, it is important that you arrange private health insurance coverage as quickly as possible, as you will not be entitled to treatment under Medicare.
Further information on Medicare benefits for overseas visitors can be found here on the Medicare website.
You will be treated, at least in my case, but a bill will follow. Good writing. Most of wouldn’t think of health care before moving.
Maxie
Hi Marilynne and Martin - Thanks for your comments. When I was at the hospital last year, there were notices everywhere saying that you had to pay for treatment in advance, if you couldn’t show any evidence of any form of health insurance. I guess, in an emergency, you would be treated but would be expected to pay for the treatment!
I was treated by the Flying Doctor while I was traveling in Australia. Yes, they did want money for the treatment, but I was glad to pay it. It wasn’t excessive compared to what I pay at home. My insurance company reimbursed me when I got home to California.
Maxie
Hi Marilynne - I think the medical fees charged here are lower than in the USA. On one visit to the USA, my husband and daughter were both ill and had to see a doctor and I couldn’t believe how much they were charged! Fortunately, most of it was reimbursed by our travel insurance. It’s good that you got reimbursed too.