Medicare for Visitors to Australia
Medicare for Visitors to Australia
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How does Australia’s healthcare system work?
Australia’s healthcare system has two tiers:
- Public system: Funded by the government through Medicare, it offers free or low-cost essential healthcare to citizens and residents.
- Private system: This includes private hospitals, clinics, and specialist services not covered by Medicare. It’s funded through private health insurance and direct payments from patients.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the beating heart of Australia’s healthcare system. It’s a universal health insurance scheme for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary residents, ensuring they get essential medical care without having to stress over steep bills.
But Medicare doesn’t cover everything. If you need an ambulance ride to the hospital, a new set of glasses, or a physiotherapy session to manage aches and pains, Medicare won’t apply.
Here’s a quick look at what’s covered and what’s not:
What Medicare usually covers | What Medicare doesn’t usually cover |
Free public hospital treatment | Ambulance or emergency transport |
GP visits (full or partial coverage) | Dental check-ups and treatments |
Some specialist visits (full or partial coverage) | Medical devices (e.g. glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids) |
Some mental health support | Many allied health services like physiotherapy, podiatry and audiology |
Cheaper prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Some elective surgeries |
Diagnostic tests like X-rays, scans, eye tests, and blood work | Treatment in private hospitals |
Can I access Medicare?
Generally, you’ll likely be able to access Medicare if you fall into one of these buckets:
- Australian citizens
- Australian permanent residents (or those in the process of applying)
- Australian temporary residents covered by a ministerial order
- citizens or permanent residents of Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Christmas Islands, or Cocos Islands
- visitors from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia.
Medicare for overseas visitors
Depending on where you hail from, you’ll have different options for accessing healthcare in Australia.
Visitors from Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) countries
Australia has RHCAs with 11 countries, offering subsidised health care to their citizens and residents.
If you’re from one of these countries, you can reap the benefits of bilateralism and access some Medicare services, including free emergency treatment at public hospitals.
- Belgium
- Finland
- Italy
- Malta
- the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- the Republic of Ireland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- the United Kingdom
While Medicare covers emergencies, it’s limited to urgent treatment that can’t wait until you’re back home. Need an ambulance ride, a dental check-up, or a chronic injury looked at while you’re here? Medicare won’t be footing the bill.
For residents of some countries, Medicare benefits might only last a limited time after you arrive, so check the specifics for your country on the Services Australia website. You can read more about RHCAs here.
How do I apply for Medicare as a RHCA visitor?
If you’re eligible, it’s a pretty straightforward process. You submit a form to Medicare Enrolment Services with your supporting documents. The documents you’ll need depend on your country of origin.
What if I’m from a country without an RHCA?
If you’re not from an RHCA country, Medicare won’t be an option, unfortunately. You’ll need to cover the full cost of treatment as a private patient, whether at a public or private hospital.
Medical treatment in Australia can be expensive. In some cases, hospital costs can rack up at the rate of more than $1,000 a day! It’s wise to arrange private health insurance before you arrive so you’re covered if the unexpected happens. (And then you can spend your money on more enjoyable things instead, like visiting the outback or the Great Barrier Reef.)
Helpful tip
You might also consider getting travel insurance, especially if you’re here for just a short visit.
Travel insurance can cover things Medicare and OVHC don’t, like lost luggage or travel delays, and keep you protected for medical emergencies en route to Australia. It’s best to sort this out before leaving home, so you’re all set when you arrive Down Under.
Private health insurance for overseas visitors
How does private health insurance supplement Medicare?
Private health insurance for international visitors is known as Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).
There are two types of cover:
- hospital cover
- extras cover for out-of-hospital services
Private health insurance gives you more options and extra peace of mind, whether your country has an RHCA with Australia or not. If you’re from a non-RHCA country, OVHC is pretty much your only option to offset the cost of medical treatment.
Why should I consider Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)?
- Hospital and medical services: OVHC covers essential hospital treatment and can include a wide range of in-patient and out-patient services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, and surgeries.
- Ambulance services: Many OVHC policies include emergency transport to a hospital.
- Medical repatriation: Some OVHC plans will cover the cost of transporting you to your home country in the event of a very serious injury or illness.
- Broader coverage: If you buy a policy with extras coverage, you’ll get partial benefits for some everyday health services like eye tests, dental check-ups, and physiotherapy. Beyond the basics, you can access preventative therapies that boost your quality of life and keep you feeling your best.
What might not be covered by OVHC?
Just a heads-up: most insurers have waiting periods that you’ll have to serve before you can start making claims. Most insurers have 12-month waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, and some may exclude them altogether.
Pharmaceutical coverage can be limited, so keep this in mind if you need expensive meds.
Also, note that OVHC typically kicks in once you’ve landed in Australia, so that’s when the waiting periods will begin. This also means OVHC won’t cover you on your journey here.
Is OVHC mandatory for visitors?
OVHC isn’t required for all visitors, but for some visitor types, it’s a must.
It’s compulsory for many temporary visa holders, including:
- Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
- Family (Subclass 461) and Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
- Bridging visas
- Students (who must take out a type of insurance known as Overseas Student Health Cover).
Before your visa gets the green light from the Department of Home Affairs, you might need to show proof of a current private health policy from a registered insurer. Explore your insurance options to ensure you comply with your visa requirements during your stay.
Where can I explore different OVHC plans?
Discover a range of OVHC plans through iSelect’s partners. With a plan that suits your needs, you can make the most of your time here, knowing you’re protected.