Apply For Medicare Backpackers and Working Holiday Makers
Medicare is available to backpackers, tourists and working holiday makers from an array of certain countries. Thought not normally spoken about getting a medicare card is an important part of your working holiday, especially if you plan on staying in Australia with a second year visa. Below you will find all the basic information to under how to apply for a medicare card and if you’re eligible or not.
Who Is Eligible For A Medicare card
Reciprocal agreements have been made with the following countries
- United Kingdom
- The Republic of Ireland
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Malta
- Belgium
- Italy
- Finland
These agreements mean:
residents of these countries can get some essential medical treatments while visiting Australia.
What is Medicare
Medicare is Australia’s health insurance scheme. It was introduced in 1984, the key objectives being:
If you are from the United Kingdom Medicare is the same system as NHS.
What does Medicare mean for Backpackers and Working Holiday Makers?
This system enables Australian residents and those eligible to receive medicare subsidies for either free or reduced fee medical consultations and prescriptions. ( Prescriptions will typically be subsides
Therefore if you are eligible, as a backpacker or working holiday maker you’ll be able to receive free or subsidised medical treatment in Australia.
It’s important to remember that the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement is not designed to replace overseas private travel insurance insurance
What Is Bulk Billing?
Bulk billing is the system used to pay for your medicare treatments. When looking to select a doctors to visit ensure to find a “ bulk billing” doctor to ensure your treatment can be covered by medicare.
Also at some private practices medicare will only cover 80% of your treatment. Remember as a backpacker or workingholiday maker to always clarify whether or not it’s a 100% bulk billing surgery. If it isn’t determine what your gap will be.
How do Backpackers and Working Holiday Makers get a Medicare card?
If you are eligible for a medicare card download the medicare card application form and return it to your local medicare office.
Remember to take all the necessary documentation so your application can be processed immediately.
What’s covered by Medicare?
Free or subsidised treatment by health professionals such as doctors, specialists, optometrists and in specific circumstances dentists and other allied health practitioners
Free treatment and accommodation as a public Medicare patient in a public hospital
75% of the Medicare Schedule fee for services and procedures if you are a private patient in a public or private hospital. This does not include hospital accommodation and items such as theatre fees and medicines
some health care services in certain countries
Source: Medicare website.
What’s not covered by Medicare
In short this is not substitute for private overseas travel insurance, for example medicare won’t cover your transport costs which many private travel insurance operators will.
Medicare Contact Details For Backpackers and Working Holiday Makers
Phone
In Person – Visit A Medicare shop
