Medicare Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system introduced in 1984 to provide eligible Australian residents with affordable, accessible and high-quality health care.
You may be eligible to join Medicare and gain immediate access to health care services and programs. Migrants who reside in Australia are eligible if they:
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)—other requirements apply. Contact Medicare for further information.
Medicare provides access to:
free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, and
free or subsidised treatment by medical practitioners including general practitioners, specialists, participating optometrists or dentists (for specified services only)
To enrol in Medicare, you should go into a Medicare office 7 to 10 days after your arrival in Australia and bring your passport or travel documents. As Medicare does not provide for all services, you may also wish to consider Private Health Cover.
Private Health Care
Many people choose to pay for private health insurance. Private health insurance funds may cover costs for your treatment as a private patient in private or public hospitals and can include some services that Medicare does not cover, such as dental care, most optical care and ambulance transport. If you wish to purchase private health insurance, it is important to compare different funds. The cost and type of cover can vary widely.
The Australian Government has a website showing every Health Insurance Policy available from every Health Fund - http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/
Major Health Insurers Australian Unity
Australian Unity has created Overseas Visitor Cover, health insurance specifically designed for long-term visitors to Australia and people who hold temporary visas. Further information can be found at www.australianunity.com.au.
Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Level 7 / 199 George Street, Brisbane City, QLD. Telephone: +61 7 3212 2200 Fax: +61 7 3212 2211
Medicare
Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. 
