Health Coverage in Australia

[Ronda]

Hello to All

I have been reviewing this topic in your forum. I was wondering if I move to Australia from the US can I qualify for the same health coverage that the citizens receive or would I have to pay for my insurance? My husband is a citizen of Australia and we are wanting to move to Melbourne where he is from. My mother is dependent on us and I also wanted to know if she could come with us even if her health is not great. Would she need to pay for her own insurance. If so how much is it? Any information you can pass this way would be greatly appreciated.

[Halo]

Do you have to sponsor your mother?

Download Booklet 3 on this page (form 1129) for info.
Australian Immigration Fact Sheet 31. Parents

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by Ronda

Hello to All

I have been reviewing this topic in your forum. I was wondering if I move to Australia from the US can I qualify for the same health coverage that the citizens receive or would I have to pay for my insurance? My husband is a citizen of Australia and we are wanting to move to Melbourne where he is from. My mother is dependent on us and I also wanted to know if she could come with us even if her health is not great. Would she need to pay for her own insurance. If so how much is it? Any information you can pass this way would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Ronda,

If you have a permanent visa you will receive Medicare, however private medical insurance is really pushed to people over here in Oz and you get tax benefits for it. It will cover things like dental and opticians that Medicare doesn't cover.

You probably need to check with an agent about your Mother since immigration usually looks at whether she will be a drain on the economy but I think there are special circumstances if she is dependent on you - but I'm not an agent.

You can get a family health insurance but that is usually for parents and younger children. There is a website called Private Health Insurance Australia - iSelect - they do not have all the health insurances in there but it will give you an idea of prices.
We went with a non-profit health insurance but haven't had to claim on it yet, and that's when you find out how good they really are.

Regards,
Karen

[Tiffani]

Kaz is right, but even with private health insurance, the cost is nowhere near what it is in the US usually. The premiums tend to be lower and the cost of healthcare even if you're paying out of pocket is also lower here. The lack of regulation in the health care system in the US has really screwed the American people, but I'm not trying to get all "michael moore" about it.

[Ronda]

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Originally Posted by Ronda

Hello to All

I have been reviewing this topic in your forum. I was wondering if I move to Australia from the US can I qualify for the same health coverage that the citizens receive or would I have to pay for my insurance? My husband is a citizen of Australia and we are wanting to move to Melbourne where he is from. My mother is dependent on us and I also wanted to know if she could come with us even if her health is not great. Would she need to pay for her own insurance. If so how much is it? Any information you can pass this way would be greatly appreciated.

[Ronda]

Originally Posted by Tiffani

Kaz is right, but even with private health insurance, the cost is nowhere near what it is in the US usually. The premiums tend to be lower and the cost of healthcare even if you're paying out of pocket is also lower here. The lack of regulation in the health care system in the US has really screwed the American people, but I'm not trying to get all "michael moore" about it.

Hi Tiffany,

Thank you for answering my questions. I take it you are from the US? How would compare living there to living here? My husband says it is a better way of living there in Australia than the US.

[Tiffani]

Originally Posted by Ronda

Hi Tiffany,

Thank you for answering my questions. I take it you are from the US? How would compare living there to living here? My husband says it is a better way of living there in Australia than the US.

Hi Ronda,

I am from the US (North Carolina) and there are things I prefer about here and things I prefer about the US -- nowhere is perfect, of course!

Things I prefer about Melbourne: much better work-life balance, higher salaries, laid-back but helpful and friendly people. You will have to adjust your expectations of when things get done. The work-life balance means that people tend to work less than in the US so sometimes and immediate response isn't possible. You get used to that because they're not slackers by any means. Their honesty also means that you can get saved from a screwing because people who work at a shop will tell you "you can get it in the shop downstairs for cheaper" LOL That is much appreciated after you get over the shock that it's actually happened.

Things I prefer about NC: the weather (Melbourne is colder than I had anticipated, and wetter, actually), being able to get what I want when I want it (again, the work-life balance is affected here though), and lower prices for pretty much everything.

Our quality of life is much better here, but we can't afford a house. That's the only real downside.

[TGM]

Temporary residents can also get limited cover under medicare if there are reciprocal health arrangements between their country of residence and Australia. This applies to people from the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta and Italy and it entitles them to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. There are similar arrangements for people from Ireland and NZ.

If anyone falls into one of these categories please be sure to apply for your medicare card when you arrive. You'll be surprised at how much you'll be asked for your number (eg. on kids' field trips at school)

Visitors to Australia - Medicare Australia

[Ronda]

Thank you very much for this information. It has been very helpful.

Originally Posted by TGM

Temporary residents can also get limited cover under medicare if there are reciprocal health arrangements between their country of residence and Australia. This applies to people from the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta and Italy and it entitles them to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. There are similar arrangements for people from Ireland and NZ.

If anyone falls into one of these categories please be sure to apply for your medicare card when you arrive. You'll be surprised at how much you'll be asked for your number (eg. on kids' field trips at school)

Visitors to Australia - Medicare Australia

[Ronda]

Hi Tiffani,

That it so nice to know about work-life. It is so fast paced here and stressful most of the time. We have been talking about moving there off and on for 3 years. I have been weight the pros and cons and I think it would be a wise decision if we did. It is so nice of all you to have this forum for people who need advice. It also great to talk to a fellow American who is acutally there. Would you say that houses are really expensive there? My husband and I want to move to Pakenham. I dont know if you know where that is. It is between Narre Warren and Tynong. By the way I am from Nevada. It is nice to know the people are nice and helpful there. How long have you lived there if you dont mind me asking? What is the food like there? Is it different from here? My husband tells me that they have little markets that sell fresh fruit and vegetables. Like little farmer stands I guess you would say. What about utilities and water are they cheaper. I know you said the cost of living is less than here. In Nevada we have some of the highest utility rates in the country. Well I hope I havent overwhelmed you with questions. Thanks for being a good listener.

Ronda

Originally Posted by Tiffani

Hi Ronda,

I am from the US (North Carolina) and there are things I prefer about here and things I prefer about the US -- nowhere is perfect, of course!

Things I prefer about Melbourne: much better work-life balance, higher salaries, laid-back but helpful and friendly people. You will have to adjust your expectations of when things get done. The work-life balance means that people tend to work less than in the US so sometimes and immediate response isn't possible. You get used to that because they're not slackers by any means. Their honesty also means that you can get saved from a screwing because people who work at a shop will tell you "you can get it in the shop downstairs for cheaper" LOL That is much appreciated after you get over the shock that it's actually happened.
Things I prefer about NC: the weather (Melbourne is colder than I had anticipated, and wetter, actually), being able to get what I want when I want it (again, the work-life balance is affected here though), and lower prices for pretty much everything.

Our quality of life is much better here, but we can't afford a house. That's the only real downside.