Australian Health Care System

This article provides information and links to resources that will help you understand the Australian Health System. This information changes regularly so please check all details with the relevant government authority and do not make decisions based on this article.

The Australian Government funds three major national health schemes, Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate. These are funded via taxes and the income based - Medicare Levy.

Australian residents are proactively encouraged to take out Private Health Cover to compliment Medicare services.

Suggested Health Care To Do List:

1. Before settling in Australia obtain medical records for each member of your family (including immunisation records for the children - these are often asked for by schools and daycare centres).
2. Research Private Health Insurance in Australia (various visas will require evidence of Private Health Insurance cover).
3. One week after arriving in Australia visit or phone your local Medicare Office to enroll.
4. Once you have been issued with your Medicare Card take it with you when:
   1. you visit a doctor
   2. or hospital
   3. when you have a prescription filled
   4. make a claim at a medicare office
5. Consider registering for the Medicare Safety Net (keep your medical receipts)
6. Let Medicare know if you change your address.
7. If you have children visit Australia 101 Childhood Immunisation page or The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
8. Let us know if there is anything else you need to know we will do some research and add it to our online resources if possible.

Medicare Entitlements

• Free treatment as a public hospital patient.
• An 85% rebate on the schedule fee for treatments when you haven't been admitted to hospital (ie. A visit to the doctor).
• Medicare Safety Net - If you pay over and above the Medicare rebate you may be eligible. To find out more visit Medicare Safety Net.
• Health Care Cards are available from Centrelink for those requiring additional financial help. Permanent residents are usually subject to a 2 year waiting period before one will be provided.

Medicare Eligibility

Go to Medicare's eligibility criteria to find out how to enroll with Medicare.

You are eligible to enrol for Medicare if you are living in Australia and:

• have been granted permanent resident status; or
• have applied for certain permanent resident visas, and you:
• hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia; or
• hold a valid visa and your parent, spouse or child is an Australian citizen; or
• hold a valid visa and your parent, spouse or child is the holder of permanent resident status.

You might not be eligible for Medicare if you

• have a current parent visa application being considered; or
• have a current application for a protection visa and have previously applied for a parent visa.

If you have a temporary prospective marriage visa (fiance-subclass 300), you are not eligible for Medicare until you have had an application for a permanent resident visa accepted by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

Costs

Prescription Medicines:

The PBS rebate is deducted before being sold on to you. After this most people should pay a maximum of $23.10 towards the cost of a medicine covered by PBS, concession card holder a maximum of $3.70.

Doctor Visits:

If your doctor Bulk Bills (rather hard to find but more common for concession card holders), you should not have to pay anything for an appointment with your doctor.

If they do not bulk bill, you will need to pay the 'gap' between the Medicare rebate and the fee if the surgery will do the rebate on the spot, or the entire amount (most common). If you pay the entire amount you need to apply to Medicare for the rebate, in person or via the post.

The Medicare scheduled fee for a standard appointment is approximately $29.45 and the doctor's fee can be around $40. Your out of pocket expenses are what is taken into account if you register for the Medicare Safety Net.

How to apply

Migrants and Applicants for Permanent Resident Status (including applicants for a permanent protection visa) You need to apply in person at a Medicare office. It is recommended you wait one week after your arrival in Australia before applying, to allow time for Medicare to receive your visa details from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Please bring your passport or travel document with you.

Medicare Australia Contact Details

Telephone help is available for those in remote areas, or those that require an interpreter.

For more information on Medicare visit any Medicare office, or

Phone: 132 011 (local call rates unless calling from mobile or pay phones - Australia only)

TTY: 1800 552 152 (hearing or speech impaired)

Write to: Medicare at GPO Box 9822 in your capital city

Email: medicare@medicareaustralia.gov.au

Website: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Contact Details

Phone: 1800 020 613 (Free call rates unless calling from mobile or pay phones- Australia only)

Write to: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, GPO Box 9826, in your capital city

Email: pbs@medicareaustralia.gov.au

Website: http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/home