Medicare - Australia's national healthcare system
What is Medicare?
Medicare is Australian’s equivalent of the UK’s National Health Service. Medicare pays for most of the costs of visits to the doctor, x-rays, blood tests, public hospital care, and certain other services. However, the system does not pay towards ambulance costs, dental services, physiotherapy, spectacles, podiatry, chiropractic services, or private hospital accommodation.
Can I access Medicare?
As a resident of the United Kingdom you are able to access Medicare’s services through the Australian and UK government’s Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. This agreement covers treatment that is medically necessary, which means any ill-health or injury which occurs while you are in Australia and requires treatment before you return home. Specifically, you will have access to:
- free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital
- subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and community health centres.
How do I join Medicare?
FastrackUK can help you enroll with Medicare. As part of our Australian Starter Pack we will provide you with all the information, forms and support you need to gain access to Medicare’s services and the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. All you will need is your British Passport, Australian visa and with our help you’ll be ready to roll.
What do I do if I need to see a doctor?
Unlike UK GPs you do not need to register to see a practitioner. There are a great number of public medical centres and GPs located across Australia and you can visit any one of those just by presenting your Medicare card.
Will I need travel insurance?
You are strongly recommended to take out suitable insurance covering you for the period that you will be away. Reciprocal Health Care Agreements do not replace the need for private travel health insurance.