Health Insurance

Most hospitals will require sponsored employees to have Private Health Insurance cover. This is not mandatory for employees who have permanent residency. Not all companies have specific policies or insurance packages for expatriates, however there are insurance houses in Australia set up with the intention of assisting workers from overseas.

Once working in Australia you will pay a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which will be taken, out of your pay packet. This gives each resident a basic Hospital Insurance, with Medicare. In most cases, you will pay for medical care then receive a refund of some of the payment. The government provides help with medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare. Medicare delivers free public hospital care. Medicare also helps with the cost of seeing a local doctor or specialist and with paying for medicine and other treatment. You can purchase health insurance to cover costs not refunded by Medicare. Medicare does offer four main types of insurance, which range from basic hospital cover (free of charge) to total coverage (not, free of charge). In addition there are other private health insurers which over more comprehensive packages.

For further information on this system go to the Australian Medicare home page as it is very useful for overseas nurses regarding information on health coverage.