OSHCstudents – Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system for all citizens and most permanent residents.
It provides free or subsidised cover for certain healthcare services, which means it pays all or part of the costs. Some international visitors may receive Medicare benefits if a treatment is considered medically necessary.
However, Medicare does not cover treatment in a private hospital. You may also not be able to choose your own doctor in hospital. This means you will experience out–of-pocket costs that you have to pay yourself.
Covered under Medicare*
- Treatment in a public hospital that is medically necessary
- Visiting a General Practitioner (GP)
- Referral to a specialist doctor
- Medical tests and examinations
- Prescription medication subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
*Medicare may not cover the whole cost.
Not covered under Medicare
- Ambulance services
- Repatriation benefits to get you home to your country of origin if you become seriously ill
- Extras services including optical and dental
- Access to private doctors and specialists
- Services and treatment in public hospital that not clinically necessary
- Services and treatment in private hospital
Do you have access to Medicare?
The Australian Government has agreements with certain countries, called Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA).
These agreements enable residents of these countries to receive Medicare benefits when visiting or working in Australia. The level of Medicare cover and the period for which you receive it varies depending on which country you are from.
- Belgium
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom
- Finland
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- Sweden
If your main country of residence is listed above… Great!
You’ll have access to certain Medicare benefits when you visit Australia. However, there are a number of important things that Medicare does not cover you for, such as ambulance services. That’s why the Australian Government still suggests that overseas visitors consider taking out private health cover. It will offer you convenience and a greater peace of mind.
If your main country of residence is not listed…
Should you require medical attention in Australia, whether in an emergency or a non-emergency situation, you will be charged for all hospital, ambulance and doctor fees and have significant costs to pay. You will not have access to any Medicare benefits. So consider taking out private health cover. It offers you convenience and gives you greater peace of mind. In fact, for many overseas visitors from non-RHCA countries, having health insurance is often a mandatory visa requirement.
REMEMBER
It’s important to check if your visa requires you to have suitable health cover before you apply. Without it you may be refused the visa!
OSHCstudents (source: Bupa)
