The Australian Healthcare System

Medicare

Medicare is Australia’s public health care system. It is a high quality system which provides eligible people with access to free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, as well as free or subsidised treatment on a private basis by doctors (both general practitioners and specialists). Eligibility for Medicare also gives access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which covers most prescription pharmaceuticals provided by pharmacies.

Am I Eligible For It?

Medicare eligibility is generally restricted to people living permanently in Australia; however, there are some exceptions.

Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with eight countries including the UK and Ireland (the others being New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Malta). Under these agreements, residents of these countries have restricted access to Medicare while visiting Australia. It is worth noting that each of these agreements is different from the others so if you are from another country you will need to check out your entitlements.

What Does Medicare Cover?

These agreements give visitors from these countries access to Medicare for the treatment of an illness or injury which occurs during their stay, and which requires treatment before returning home (that is, these agreements cover immediately necessary medical treatment). The agreements do not allow for visitors to access Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme where the treatment is not immediately necessary. Prearranged and elective treatment is not covered.

What Doesn’t Medicare Cover?

The agreements do not cover all health services. Some services not covered under the agreements are:

ambulance cover
dental care
medical evacuation to your home country
treatment in private hospitals, or as a private patient in a public hospital
treatment that is not immediately necessary
elective treatment
treatment that has been pre-arranged before arrival in Australia.

Do I Pay To See A Doctor Or For Prescriptions?

Yes to both. Shortly after you arrive in Australia I suggest that you register with a local doctor (you can find one by looking in the Yellow Pages or asking locals in your area).

Each time you have an appointment with your doctor you will be charged a fee depending on how much of their time you have taken. Currently, this ranges between $55 and $110. These are standard fees which most people pay up front unless other arrangements have been made with the surgery. You will then be given a receipt(s), which you can take to a Medicare centre where you can claim a proportion back.

Enrolling In Medicare

If you know you are eligible for Medicare you will need to go to a Medicare office to enrol, taking your passport and any additional ID or proof of visa status. You can either telephone 132 011 (local call cost if calling from within Australia) or visit a Medicare office to confirm what documentation you will need to provide in order to enrol in Medicare. Once you have completed the paperwork, and if you are eligible, you will be given a Medicare number instantly, which will be followed by a Medicare Card.

www.medicare.gov.au

What Happens If I Need To Go To Hospital Or Accident And Emergency?

Obviously you should not hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance either by calling 000 (the countrywide number for all emergency services in Australia) for an ambulance or by getting yourself to any of the numerous local hospitals. You should inform hospital staff that you wish to be treated as a Medicare public patient under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. You may be required to produce evidence of your eligibility (ie your passport with visa stamp or Medicare card) either at the time of your visit or a later date.

Private Healthcare

Can I Opt For Private Healthcare?

There is a wide range of private healthcare options available across Australia, which are well worth inquiring about to ensure you receive the highest care available without the waiting lists associated with public health services.

www.health.gov.au is the government run health website which provides valuable information about healthcare across Australia, including research on the best private funds to join, enabling people to make informed choices.

Dental Services

Medicare does not cover dental work in Australia. Therefore you will need to find a dentist local to your area and should expect to pay for any work needed, which of course varies enormously depending on what you need to have done. You can find dentists nationwide across Australia and as with any where, professional levels vary. Word of mouth is a good way of ensuring that you join a reputable dental surgery. Check for ads in your local paper, or search the Yellow Pages online to find a suitable dentist in your area.

Some private health funds do cover dental work, so if you opt to join one check to see what is covered under your plan.