Health Insurance

Do I have to pay for medical care?

New Residents - who is eligible?

You are eligible if you have a permanent residency visa. You need to enrol in Medicare from the website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.

If you travel on a 457 visa you are not eligible for medicare. In Australia the sponsors of 457 visa holders are entirely liable for all medical and hospital expenses, other than costs that are met by health insurance, incurred in Australiaby sponsored employees adn their dependants. This is by virtue of their sponsorship Agreement with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).

This responsibility commences upon the employee's arrival in Australia and explains why many employers either provide health insurance as part of the employment package or require the employee to take out health insurance as part of their employment contract.

Medicare contact details

Telephone: 132 011

Medicare website: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

A Medicare Information Kit can be downloaded by going to:
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/language/index.jsp
(Available in languages other than English)

Medicare Coverage

Sponsored employees directly recruited from a county with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) may be eligible for limited Medicare benefits though only for "immediate necessary treatment". For taxation purposes,these visa holders are treated in the same manner as Australia citizens and are subject to the same tax payments (Medicare levy) and penalties as Australian citizens. RHCA Agreements are currently in place wtih the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Sweden
• Finland
• Netherlands
• Malta
• Italy
• Norway
• Ireland (hospitals only)

Private Health Funds

Australian Health Plans www austhealth.com AHP is a leadind long term provider of health plans for temporary residents working in Australia on 457 and other visas.

Australian Health Insurance Association: www.ahia.org.au

All members of the Australian Health Insurance Association are registered as health benefits organisations with the Commonwealth Government and therefore comply with Government standards adn regulations in benefits and solvency.

For information about health cover for people from overseas - visitors and temporary visa holders visit: www.ahia.org.au/ovhc.php