Health in Australia
The Australian Federal Government provides two medical subsidy schemes which are Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Medicare allows people to have free treatment at public hospitals and with some private practices.
If you see a private specialist you may be entitled to a rebate of up to 85% off.
Your medicine is subsidised directly by the government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and further subsidies are available to pensioners and the unemployed.
If you have a permanent visa you are entitled to all of the benefits of the system
For information about enrolment please use the following link: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/new-residents.jsp
If you are visiting, Australia has a reciprocal arrangement with a number of countries including the UK, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Malta, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands.
For information about reciprocal arrangements please use the following link:www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/index.jsp
Private health insurance is available and covers services not met by Medicare including dentistry and optometry. There is a 30% tax rebate as an incentive for those who join and incentive called lifetime cover which rewards consumers who take out private health cover and maintain it earlier in their lives with lower premiums.
For information about the Immunise Australia Program please use the following
link: www.immunise.health.gov.au