Re: 457 questions.
 

Correct in that no 457 temp visa holder gets the full Medicare cover.

Incorrect in that anyone from the countries with reciprocal agreements with Australia do get an "emergency" cover.

Not sure what the qualifying criteria is with those countries though. Citizenship perhaps ?

Re: 457 questions.
 

Name of the agency?

I believe they may be asking you to get private medical as part of your condition of employment through the agency....usual practice. If not why not?

As Bix said watch the company that is not asking and leaving it to you.

My company paid for me and family cover. Many people on 457 pay for themselves as part of employment conditions....those that don't???????

Cheers

Re: 457 questions.
 

How the heck do you spell "Routing" "wroting" "roting" the system.

Aussie expression I have grown used to just do not know how you spell it.

Example of what I mean.......on a 457 you get reciprocal (see I can Speel) emergency treatment. So when we came over and silly bloody sod of a son broke his arm ten days in we took him down to hospital and had it all sorted with great care and follow up for free.

(cannot spell that previous word) shitting on the system are 457 people surviving on medicare only for all levels of treatment. They are not really entitled under the 457 visa - how the heck is a doctors appointment after being here 6 months for a general check emergency treament.

The longer people on 457 take the mick (ok I can say that as a paddy) the sooner it will become more difficult for the recipricol agreement to work and continue to work for the poeple that need it.

OK read on ....rant over I think :)

Re: 457 questions.
 

If you have a 457 with reciprocal, you can use medicare for emergencies, but if you do, you cannot claim back the payments to medicare (which are compulsory) not exactly easy to take the mick if you must pay in the first place ? I agree that there will be some that abuse the system, but the way I see it, on a 457 you lose out.

that was my rant :D

Re: 457 questions.
 

Part of my conditions of employment is that I take out private medical insurance within 1 month of arriving. My understanding of this is that the employer is responsible for medical costs under a 457 visa and by making it a condition of employment they eliminate/reduce their liability for covering any medical costs.

Re: 457 questions.
 

You get full medicare (on a 457) as soon as you *apply* for a permanent visa.

Re: 457 questions.
 

My husband's contract was the same! He has since moved elsewhere and they will reimburse him the premiums paid every 12 months.
Tracey

Re: 457 questions.
 

thats definitely interesting to know.

I know that you have said that most employers dont assist with ENS applications, but when in theory can you start such an application ?

cheers

Paul

Re: 457 questions.
 

My niece had 457 in about 6 weeks

Re: 457 questions.
 

I came here on 457 visa, you go into medicare office and register, they look at passport and visa stamp, send you a card which will state "Reciprical and emergency cover only". We took out a extra's plan for dental.
If you are planning on having elective surgery or treatment then you will not be covered and will need private medical insurance.
I work in a public hospital and have treated 457 visa holders, the bills are covered with reciprical arrangements if it was an emergency admission, also visits to see GP in emergency.

Hope this helps
Di

Re: 457 questions.
 

A statement in one of Sandra's posts has been niggling me so I've rechecked the DIMIA website and unfortunately there has been a change since I obtained my visa in May 2004. :(

At that time one of the undertakings of the sponsor was to:
"accept financial responsibility directly or through acceptable medical insurance arrangements for all medical and hospital costs incurred in Australia by sponsored persons and their dependents"
So clearly the sponsor was liable for everything.
Note it was all medical and hospital costs.

The terminology of this undertaking now reads:
"pay all medical or hospital expenses for a sponsored person arising from treatment adminstered in a public hospital (other than expenses that are met by health insurance or reciprocal health care arrangements) - this undertaking continues until any such expenses are paid"

The key changes are this:
No longer all medical and hospital costs but just costs accrued in public hospitals.
No longer full financial responsibility but only those costs not covered by health insurance or reciprocal arrangements.

This does not say the sponsor has to pay for the (private) health insurance so they do appear to have the right to duck shove it onto the visa holder.

Where does this leave it ? As a potential visa holder you can only try to negotiate this item along with the salary and terms.


In conclusion I screwed up this point in earlier posts and for that I am truly sorry :o

Re: 457 questions.
 

You can start the application as soon as you qualify. Booklet 5 has details of ENS, RSMS, while booklet 6 has details of points tested visa options.

Many employers do sponsor for ENS - but some don't.

Re: 457 questions.
 

Although as soon as you apply for a permanent visa from a 457, you lose you entitlement to lafah.
bummer