Healthcare in Australia

Medicare

Australia has a complex healthcare system including both public & private provision. Medicare the state-run healthcare scheme is available to all citizens, permanent residents and some temporary visitors, however most Australians choose to take out some form of extra healthcare provision.

Click here to view our full guide to Healthcare In Australia. To view our full range of information guides visit our Migration Portal.

How does Medicare work?

Out-of-hospital services

Consultation fees for doctors, including specialists. You are free to choose to see any GP at any practice you like - it is not necessary to register with the practice first.

Tests and examinations by doctors needed to treat illnesses, including X-rays and pathology tests

Eye tests performed by optometrists

Most surgical and other therapeutic procedures performed by doctors

Some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists

In-hospital services

Public Patient

If you choose to be admitted as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, you will receive treatment by doctors and specialists nominated by the hospital. You will not be charged for care and treatment, or after-care by the treating doctor.

Private Patient

If you are a private patient in a public or private hospital, you will have a choice of doctor to treat you. Medicare will pay 75 per cent of the Medicare Schedule fee for services and procedures provided by the treating doctor. If you have private health insurance some or all of the outstanding balance can be covered.

You will be charged for hospital accommodation and items such as theatre fees and medicines. These costs can also be covered by private health insurance.

What's not covered by Medicare? - Medicare does not cover such things as:

• Private patient hospital costs (for example, theatre fees or accommodation)
• Dental examinations and treatment (except specified items introduced for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program)
• Ambulance services
• Home nursing
• Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, eye therapy, chiropractic services, podiatry or psychology (except specified items introduced for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program)
• Acupuncture (unless part of a doctor's consultation)
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Hearing aids and other appliances
• The cost of prostheses
• Medicines (except for the subsidy on medicines covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)
• Medical and hospital costs incurred overseas
• Medical costs for which someone else is responsible (for example a compensation insurer, an employer, a government or government authority)
• Medical services which are not clinically necessary
• Surgery solely for cosmetic reasons
• Examinations for life insurance, superannuation or membership of a friendly society
• Eye Therapy

NB. all information related to Medicare Australia was taken from the government website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au and was correct at the date of publication. We highly reccomend you see the website for uptodate information

You can arrange private health insurance to cover many of these services.

Are you eligible for medicare?

You are eligible for Medicare if you:

• hold Australian citizenship
• have been issued with a permanent visa
• hold New Zealand citizenship
• have applied for a permanent visa (excludes an application for a parent visa)

Temporary residents

If you are entering Australia on a temporary visa or a temporary long stay visa and have UK citizenship then you are eligible to medicare for the duration of your visit under a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement (RHCA).

Under this agreement you will be entitled to the following for any ill -health of injury requiring treatment while in Australia:

Free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital

Subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and community health centres.

Medicare Australia Healthcare for Visitors to Australia PDF

You may wish however to take out private medical insurance as the majority of Australian's do.

Private Medical Insurance

There are many insurance schemes available which can comprise:
Hospital cover and in-patient treatment
Extra dental, optical and other services
All-in-one comprehensive cover