Pregnancy - 175 PR Visa - Child Visa - Birth In Oz ?

[FaithInGod]

Originally Posted by ddavid

Personally I would be inclined not to say anything,rightly or wrongly.
We are in the same boat and I feel the only thing telling them now will do is slow or stop the app(officially or unofficially).
When you get visa then tell them as they cannot take the visa back.
You can say you only found out,its not as if they will fly to see you and how pregnant you are,
We are going to try and travel before baby is born as if not you could add on a fair few months after your child is born,before been able to go.
I have checked with the airlines and you can travel up to 32 weeks/7 months
Dont worry as this is a very common problem for people looking to move and who become pregnant,
Your visa should be well approved before baby is born.

Thanks David for sharing your thoughts ... I am still searching, so far I am 99% sure that PR visa holder will get medical aid from govt, if you have a delivery in public hospital (it has it's own pros and cons, ofcourse). Although it may not be 100% aid, even if Govt. reimburse 75%, it's worth to spend those extra 25% out-of-pocket for an Oz citizenship for the new born.

I'm still skimming through govt. website which stats above. I discussed this matter with one of my friend who is an Oz Citizen .. following is the reply:

You will be VERY relieved to know that as long as your wife gives birth in a Public Hospital, she will be covered by Medicare and there will be NO COST what so ever for the delivery and hospital stay. So, baby can be born here in Oz as an Australian Citizen at no expense to you. Therefore, if you can be well prepared to come down to Ozland before your wife's final trimester there won't be a problem.

If however you find it isn't possible to make your initial entry before you wife reaches 5 months gestation and baby has to be born in your home country, you will need to make an application for a Child Visa (subclass 101). The processing may take a couple of months and yes, your baby will have to have a medical examination. It isn't nearly as extensive as the adult exam and he/she won't have to have an x-ray.

[FaithInGod]

Originally Posted by anishjohn

" Expectant Mothers
It is important that you inform your gynaecologist of your proposed travel plan and obtain medical guidance before making a reservation.

Expectant mothers must also obtain a medical certificate, issued by your attending gynaecologist, stating your fitness for travel, the number of weeks of pregnancy and Estimated Date of Delivery. Our Reservations officers may request for the medical certification at the time of booking. If the booking and departure dates are more than one month apart, a new certificate should be issued (by your attending gynaecologist) not more than 3 days before departure. This certificate will have to be presented at check-in when requested.

For uncomplicated single pregnancies, Singapore Airlines restricts expectant mothers from travelling beyond the 35th week of pregnancy. For uncomplicated multiple pregnancies, Singapore Airlines restricts expectant mothers from travelling beyond the 32nd week of pregnancy. "

Special Assistance -- Singapore Airlines

Perfect !! If granted visa by July/Aug ...We are planning to travel at the end of 6th month pregnancy i.e by Oct/Nov-09 ...

[FaithInGod]

Originally Posted by mpgrewal

I always thought that even a fresh PR (<2years) is entitled to all Medicare benefits which includes reimbursement of 85-90% of pregnancy costs from any public hospital (which are of equal status as private hospitals but have long queues).. I'll be shocked to know if this assumption is InCorrect..

Faith.. did you talk to your agent, researched more? What is your final verdict on applicability of Medicare on new residents

99% you are right .. However, I'm unable to get any such text from govt website so far ... will post here once I find something official !

[ddavid]

Originally Posted by FaithInGod

Thanks David for sharing your thoughts ... I am still searching, so far I am 99% sure that PR visa holder will get medical aid from govt, if you have a delivery in public hospital (it has it's own pros and cons, ofcourse). Although it may not be 100% aid, even if Govt. reimburse 75%, it's worth to spend those extra 25% out-of-pocket for an Oz citizenship for the new born.

I'm still skimming through govt. website which stats above. I discussed this matter with one of my friend who is an Oz Citizen .. following is the reply:

You will be VERY relieved to know that as long as your wife gives birth in a Public Hospital, she will be covered by Medicare and there will be NO COST what so ever for the delivery and hospital stay. So, baby can be born here in Oz as an Australian Citizen at no expense to you. Therefore, if you can be well prepared to come down to Ozland before your wife's final trimester there won't be a problem.

If however you find it isn't possible to make your initial entry before you wife reaches 5 months gestation and baby has to be born in your home country, you will need to make an application for a Child Visa (subclass 101). The processing may take a couple of months and yes, your baby will have to have a medical examination. It isn't nearly as extensive as the adult exam and he/she won't have to have an x-ray.

I am very curious on the 5 months gestation,where did this come from as Airlines let u travel up to 7 months,
It is hard to believe the DIAC putting in the 5 month stipulation

[mpgrewal]

I would say its early to conclude that a fresh PR gets all benefits. Look for significant changes in this year's budget to get the actual answer to the question.. A lot of changes are expected pertaining to PRs, Immigration and Students due to recession.

[FaithInGod]

Originally Posted by ddavid

I am very curious on the 5 months gestation,where did this come from as Airlines let u travel up to 7 months,
It is hard to believe the DIAC putting in the 5 month stipulation

No, there is no such guidelines from DIAC or airlines. My friend is kind of over concerned like me about the convenience and risk associated during pregnancy. So suggested me to fly somewhere near 5 months pregnancy so we can have enough time to get accustomed with the place before delivery.

[FaithInGod]

Originally Posted by mpgrewal

I would say its early to conclude that a fresh PR gets all benefits. Look for significant changes in this year's budget to get the actual answer to the question.. A lot of changes are expected pertaining to PRs, Immigration and Students due to recession.

Yes, there are changes. But I feel that they can't remove pregnancy related aid from the PR visa holders.

Check below link, what Medicare covers and what not ! Pregnancy related treatment is not under the section of "not covered"
What Medicare covers - Medicare Australia

Also download Medicare benefits schedule from below website. Note that it is latest, released on 01-July-2009

MBS Online - The July 2009 Medicare Benefits Schedule
> Complete MBS - excluding Dental Services
> http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/A3178B4C24FCC8C2CA2575C700802D9B/$File/200907-MBS.pdf

Now checkout below pages:

Page 19

An "eligible person" is a person who resides permanently in Australia. This includes New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent residence visas. Applicants for permanent residence may also be eligible persons, depending on circumstances. Eligible persons must enrol with Medicare before they can receive Medicare benefits.

Page 125

Services that attract the 100% Medicare rebate – as at 1 November 2008
Group A27 Pregnancy support counselling 4001


Page 178
4001, 81000, 81005 and 81010


Page 504
Pregnancy, attendance for complication by 16508
- acute intercurrent infection
- diabetes or anaemia 16502
- intrauterine growth retardation 16508
- threatened premature labour 16502,16508
Pregnancy support counselling 81000-81010
multiple, attendance other than routine antenatal 16502

Page 737-740

Although, I couldn't understand it completely, but i think Oz Govt covers maternity related aid to the eligible residents regardless of number of years (days) since you arrived in Oz, provided you are a public patient, treated in public hospital.