Medicare & Reciprocal Health Care Agreements
Medicare is Australia’s publicly funded universal health care system that provides residents with access to hospital treatment and reduces the cost of most medical services delivered by public or private providers. While it covers many essential health services, it does not include private hospital care, emergency ambulance services, or treatments known as ‘extras’ (such as dental and physiotherapy). Eligible visitors from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) can access medically necessary care under Medicare. Visitors from non-RHCA countries are advised to obtain private health insurance, which may also be a visa requirement.
FAQs for Reciprocal Health Care Agreements
How do I access Medicare under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement?
You need to enrol to claim Medicare benefits. To find out how to enrol and which documentation you need to provide, visit the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
If I’m eligible for Medicare, do I still need health insurance?
Medicare does not provide cover for things like emergency ambulance services, private hospital care, or ‘extras’ treatments such as dental or physiotherapy, so it’s still worth considering health insurance. It may also be a condition of your visa.
What if my country is not on the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement list?
If your country is not on the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) list, you will not be eligible for Medicare benefits while in Australia. This means you must obtain and maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay to meet visa requirements, specifically condition 8501.
Depending on the cover you choose, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) can provide hospital and medical cover within Australia, ensuring you’re protected for GP visits, hospital treatment, and some prescriptions. Without OVHC, you would need to pay the full cost of healthcare services, which can be very expensive.
What is the difference between private vs public hospitals?
Understanding the Australian hospital systems can help you make more informed choices when it comes to your health care. To help take out the guess work, we’ve broken down the key differences between private and public hospitals in this helpful article.
Language and communication
If you’d like to speak with us in a language other than English, call 133 423 (+61 8 9265 6111 if you’re overseas) and we’ll be happy to assist via an interpreter.
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