One of the most common questions for new migrants arriving in Australia is: can I access Medicare? The answer depends on your visa type, your country of origin, and your residency status — and getting it wrong can be expensive. A single GP visit without Medicare can cost AUD $80–$120; a hospital stay without cover can produce bills in the tens of thousands. Understanding Medicare for migrants in Australia is crucial for newcomers.
This guide explains who is eligible for Medicare in Australia, what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how to enrol.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is Australia’s universal public health insurance system. It gives eligible residents access to:
- Free or subsidised GP (doctor) visits
- Specialist consultations (with a GP referral)
- Pathology tests (blood tests, urine tests and similar)
- Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound) at public facilities
- Treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- Subsidised prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare is administered by Services Australia and is funded through the Australian tax system. It is not something you purchase — it is a public entitlement tied to your visa and residency status.
Who is eligible for Medicare in Australia?
Automatically eligible
- Australian citizens — regardless of where they live
- Permanent residents — holders of any permanent visa (subclass 186, 189, 190, 801/100 partner visa, 191, and others)
- New Zealand citizens living in Australia — eligible under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement
Eligible from the date of their permanent visa application
You may be able to enrol in Medicare before your permanent visa is granted if:
- You have applied for a permanent residency visa (excluding a parent visa) AND
- You hold a valid temporary visa that allows you to be in Australia AND
- You have permission to work, OR your spouse, parent or child is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
This means many people on temporary partner visas (subclass 820), regional provisional visas (491, 494), and other bridging situations can access Medicare while waiting for their permanent visa.
Important: Parent visa applicants (subclasses 103 and 804) cannot enrol in Medicare this way — you must wait until the visa is granted or qualify through another pathway.
Eligible under Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA)
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with 11 countries. Citizens of these countries who are temporarily resident in Australia may access Medicare for medically necessary treatment:
| Country | Coverage |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Medically necessary treatment for duration of visa |
| Ireland | Medically necessary treatment for duration of visa |
| New Zealand | Full Medicare access |
| Sweden | Medically necessary treatment |
| Norway | Medically necessary treatment |
| Finland | Medically necessary treatment |
| Belgium | Medically necessary treatment (with home scheme membership) |
| Netherlands | Medically necessary treatment (with home scheme membership) |
| Italy | Medically necessary treatment (with home scheme membership, citizen + resident) |
| Malta | Medically necessary treatment (with home scheme membership, citizen + resident, limited to 6 months) |
| Slovenia | Medically necessary treatment (with home scheme membership) |
Important RHCA note: RHCA coverage is not the same as full Medicare. It covers medically necessary treatment — not elective procedures, private hospital treatment, dental, or services deemed non-essential. Some agreements also require proof of membership in your home country’s health scheme. Check with Services Australia to confirm your specific entitlements.
Regional Provisional visa holders (491 and 494)
Holders of Regional Provisional visas (subclasses 491 and 494) are eligible for Medicare. This is a significant benefit for skilled workers in regional areas.
Who is NOT eligible for Medicare
The following groups are generally not eligible for Medicare:
- Most temporary visa holders from countries without an RHCA (student visas, working holiday visas, TSS/482 visas from non-RHCA countries, tourist visas)
- International students on Student visas (subclass 500) — student visa holders must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a mandatory visa condition
- Working holiday makers (subclass 417 and 462) from non-RHCA countries
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS 482) visa holders from non-RHCA countries — these visa holders require Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
- Parent visa applicants (subclasses 103 and 804) who have not yet been granted the visa
Bottom line: If you are on a temporary visa and your home country does not have an RHCA with Australia, you need private health insurance. Do not go without cover — medical costs in Australia without insurance can be financially devastating.
What Medicare covers — and what it doesn’t
Medicare covers
- GP visits: Bulk billing (free) is available at many GP practices; others charge a gap payment
- Specialist visits: Subsidised with a GP referral; a gap payment often applies
- Public hospital treatment: Free as a public patient (you cannot choose your doctor)
- Pathology and imaging: Bulk-billed at most pathology centres; some imaging has a gap
- Prescription medicines: Subsidised through the PBS (you pay a co-payment; concessional card holders pay less)
Medicare does NOT cover
- Dental care for adults — dental is not covered by Medicare; private dental insurance is the only way to reduce costs
- Optometry beyond basic eye tests — glasses and contact lenses require private extras cover
- Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy and allied health — not covered by standard Medicare (limited sessions may be available under a GP Management Plan for chronic conditions)
- Ambulance transport — not covered by Medicare in most states; ambulance cover is separate (it is included in Queensland and Tasmania via state schemes)
- Private hospital treatment — if you want a private room, to choose your own doctor, or access private hospitals, you need private health insurance
- Cosmetic procedures — not covered
How the GP gatekeeping system works
Australia uses a “gatekeeping” model — you generally need a GP referral before seeing a specialist and receiving a Medicare rebate. You cannot walk directly into a specialist’s rooms and receive a Medicare subsidy. Your GP coordinates your care, writes referrals, prescribes medications and manages ongoing conditions.
How to enrol in Medicare
Who to contact
Enrol at a Services Australia service centre in person, or online via myGov. In-person enrolment at a Services Australia centre is the fastest method — you may receive your Medicare number on the spot, with the physical card arriving by post within 3–4 weeks.
What to bring
- Your passport with your current visa
- Your visa grant letter or ImmiCard
- Proof of Australian address — a lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement
- If applying as a permanent residency applicant: a copy of your Department of Home Affairs acknowledgement that your permanent visa application was received
For RHCA enrolment, bring your home country health documentation (e.g. NHS card for UK residents, EHIC for EU countries).
Processing time
Medicare card processing typically takes 3–4 weeks after enrolment is confirmed. Your Medicare number is usually issued on the day you attend a service centre.
Medicare Levy
Most Australian tax residents pay a Medicare Levy of 2% of their taxable income — this is how Medicare is partly funded.
If you were not eligible for Medicare during the financial year, you may be entitled to a Medicare Levy Exemption, reducing your tax bill. To claim the exemption, you need a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from Services Australia. Applications open from 1 July each year and take at least 8 weeks to process. Apply early to have your statement ready for your tax return lodgement.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked questions)
Can I access Medicare on a working holiday visa in Australia?
Only if you are from one of the 11 countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Malta, Slovenia). Working holiday makers from other countries — including India, China, the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh and most of the world — are not eligible for Medicare and should arrange Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
Can I access Medicare on a student visa?
No. International student visa holders (subclass 500) must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a mandatory visa condition. OSHC is not the same as Medicare — it is private insurance. Students from RHCA countries may be able to access Medicare in parallel.
Can I access Medicare while waiting for my partner visa to be granted?
Yes, in most cases. If you have applied for a partner visa (820/801) and hold a valid temporary visa, and your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you are generally eligible to enrol in Medicare from the date you lodged the permanent visa application.
What is the difference between OSHC and OVHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is private health insurance for international students. Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is private health insurance for temporary visa holders who are not students. Both are types of private insurance — neither is Medicare.
Does Medicare cover dental treatment?
No. Dental care for adults is not covered by Medicare. Some children’s basic dental is subsidised through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Private dental insurance or out-of-pocket payment is required for adults.
Does Medicare cover ambulance transport?
Not in most states. Queensland and Tasmania have state-funded ambulance services where residents are covered. In all other states, you need separate ambulance cover — either as part of private health insurance extras or a standalone ambulance membership.
I am from the UK — do I get Medicare?
Yes. UK residents are covered by the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and the UK. You can enrol in Medicare for the duration of your visa. Bring your NHS card or other evidence of UK residence to a Services Australia centre.
What is bulk billing?
Bulk billing is when a healthcare provider charges their fee directly to Medicare and does not charge you a gap payment. Not all GPs bulk bill all patients. Finding a bulk-billing GP in your area means your visit is completely free.
A note on costs
Medicare significantly reduces healthcare costs — but it is not free for everything. Even with Medicare, you may pay:
- A gap payment at non-bulk-billing GPs (typically AUD $20–$60 above the Medicare rebate)
- Specialist fees above the Medicare rebate (gap can range from AUD $0 to several hundred dollars depending on the specialist)
- Prescription co-payments under the PBS (general patients pay up to AUD $31.60 per item in 2026; concessional card holders pay AUD $7.70)
Private health insurance is worth considering alongside Medicare if you want hospital choice, dental, physiotherapy, optometry and other extras.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Medicare eligibility rules can change — always verify your current entitlements directly with Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au or by calling 132 011. Last updated June 2026.
Sources: Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) | Australian Taxation Office — Medicare Levy | Department of Home Affairs — Reciprocal Health Care Agreements | AMA — Medicare guide for migrants 2026
