Healthcare in Australia for migrants: What you need to know

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Created on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 19:55

Written by Editorial staff

If you've decided to migrate to Australia, you'll be pleased to know the country doesn't only offer a warm climate, stunning landscapes and wildlife galore, but it also has a robust healthcare system.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) 2013 Statistical Profile of Australia, the nation boasts high life expectancy rates (men live to an average of 79.7, women to 84.2), low infant mortality rates and an overall good quality of living standards.

This is why it's important you ensure you can benefit from the nation's health services if you are moving to Australia.

To help migrants understand how the Australian health system works and whether or not they are eligible for certain services, the Migration Alliance has teamed up with Bupa Health to provide you with relevant information and advice.

Whether you are coming over for study, work or pleasure, it's a good idea to do some research into the health system so you can purchase the appropriate travel insurance and avoid being left with a hefty or unexpected bill to pay - you never know when accidents might happen.

Here is some key advice to keep in mind when applying for migration visas. However, it is best to consult experienced migration agents in Australia to receive the best information tailored to your individual circumstances.

Healthcare in Australia: Know your rights

One of the most important things to understand in relation to healthcare in Australia is which health cover option is right for you.

Some visa applicants will need to invest in private health insurance in order to be eligible to migrate to Australia, while others can benefit from the government's reciprocal healthcare scheme.

As it currently stands, migrants from the following countries may be eligible for some access to Medicare as part of the government's reciprocal health care agreement: Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK.

Visa applicants from countries not listed above are advised to seek private medical insurance and consult a migration agent.

Read the fine print

In addition to knowing what type of health cover you are eligible for, it also pays to thoroughly research your options and read the fine print on any type of scheme you sign up for, be it Medicare or private health insurance.

The more you understand about healthcare in Australia, the better equipped you will be once you arrive. For more information on this topic visit the Migration Alliance - Bupa website.