Medical & Dental - Private Cover

Medical Cover requirements vary from family to family and visa to visa, please see below for more information.

As a general rule Doctor's appointment charges are approx $50 per visit and $85 for a longer consultation. Prescription charges are around $15 per item. Dentists charge approx $65 for a check up and clean.

All information on Medicare can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

Getting a Medicare Card

You should apply for a Medicare card to cover you and your family (one person just needs to go to your nearest Medicare office with passports and visa's stamped and proof of address ie phone bill) as soon as possible. This will allow you to claim back a percentage of your Doctors consultation charge and any prescription charges.

Once you've paid and got your receipt, go to your local Medicare office with your Medicare card and the receipts, and you will receive your money either by cash or refund onto your EFTPOS card.

Medicare offices can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/where_to_find_us/mcl/wa.htm

Permanent Residents

Perm Residents can get a 30% rebate from the Government on their private Medical Cover. For more information see http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/aphi.htm

Temporary 457 Visa

Your employer is required to provide Medical Cover so make sure that this is written into your contract! Officially you do need proof of either you or your employer having taken out Private Medical Cover for each year of your visa.

There are many companies providing Private Medical Cover so it pays to shop around. Here are a couple that can be recommended; http://www.australianunity.com.au/au/hins/default.asp?source=topmenu1 and http://www.hbf.com.au/Content_Sections/Health_Insurance/index.html

There is a reciprocal agreement between Australia and the UK to provide emergency care free of charge so if you have a broken leg for instance then you would be covered. However this is only for emergency care so if you have an illness that is on-going and eventually needs an operation, then you would not be covered and this is when your private medical cover is essential.

As a general rule Temp Visa holders get a 50% refund from Medicare for their Consultation and Prescription charges.

More information for Temporary Residents from the UK, can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/going_overseas/uk_sweden_finland_norway_netherlands_malta_italy.htm

More information for Temporary Residents from Eire & New Zealand can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/going_overseas/republic_ireland_nz.htm

Comments

[Jessica]

My husband has been offered a job in Perth but I am already pregnant, will the private medical care cover my pregnancy? We currently live in Brasil and I have private health care here. Usually company plans don't have the 12 month waiting period and I was wondering if it is the same in Australia. Thanks!