Healthcare
Medicare - Australia's national health care programme
Australian residents are covered by Medicare - the national health care program. Medicare is partially funded by a levy on income and for eligible people it provides access to free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, and free or subsidised medical treatment by practitioners such as doctors, specialists and participating optometrists. All Australian residents and people who hold Australian citizenship or have been issued with a permanent visa are eligible for Medicare. To enroll in Medicare, eligible immigrants should wait approximately 7 days after arrival in Australia and then go to a Medicare office (listed in the White Pages telephone directory) with their passport and travel documents. If all enrolment requirements are met, applicants will be advised of their Medicare card number and a card will be issued. Medicare does not provide cover for emergency ambulance assistance or ambulance transport to hospital. Ambulance services in Australia are on a 'fee for service' basis provided by State Governments. A Medicare 'Welcome Kit' is available which explains Medicare and other government health services and the eligibility requirements for benefits and payments.
Private health Insurance
Australian residents and immigrants with permanent resident status who have Medicare eligibility are able to choose from a wide range of private health insurance products from more than 40 health benefits organisations. The Federal Government offers a 30% rebate on private health insurance premiums. This rebate is only available to Australian residents who have Medicare eligibility. The costs and types of private health cover vary widely, hence it is important to check the details carefully before taking out a policy.
Getting Treatment
Emergency treatment can be obtained through some medical centres or the emergency departments of hospitals. Public and private hospitals are listed under 'Hospitals' in the White Pages telephone directory. If hospital treatment is required, it is important that the patient takes their Medicare card or private health insurance membership card with them. If it is not an emergency, patients should first go to a family doctor (also called a "general practitioner" or "GP") or a medical centre. Appointments with medical specialists cannot be made without getting a referral from a GP first.
