Lyx

Thanks for that, Do you just open one using your UK address?

Lyx

Never knew that either. I'm such an airhead at times.
Thanks for the info.

paulry

I believe you can but we're using our in-laws address in Sydney.

This thread is also worth a look

paulry

This link tells us just just about all that we need to know about the visa validation:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Visa_Validation-Australia

Also, take a look at the Wiki at the top of the page on the below link. There's lots of useful info there:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

mr mover

And if your really lucky ,Eddie Maguire the KING of Victoria will come kiss you on the Arse........mm

Bermudashorts

Is that definitely true? Only it is not what I have read elsewhere (on BE). I read it was 12 months from when you become resident, I would not consider myself resident if I came over on say a three day validation trip. Now I am worried..

jamman

Hi,
I had the same worry so I emailed medicare and got this response

"Thank you for your email regarding Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) policy for new migrants to Australia. As you know, new migrants to Australia are entitled to a 12 month grace period for LHC purposes. The 12 month period will commence from the date that you register with Medicare Australia for full coverage under Medicare. "

So it's 12 months from whe nyou register with Medicare NOT from when you validate.

J.

Bermudashorts

Cheers jamman

paulry

Alfresco

So one person says you get registered automagically...

Notified/Registered???

Correct.

See first quote above. So what's the deal?

Pollyana

Medicare gets an automatic notification from DIAC as soon as your visa is validated, so they know that you are in the country. However you need to be a resident of Australia, so if you are only here on holiday (eg validating) our access to Medicare is limited. .

When you actually go into their offices and register - ie tell them you ar here and they verify it on the computer, THEN you are registered with them and then the clock starts tickin for the private health care thing.

Melchels

I am quoting from personal experience! I too was under the impression it was when you actually moved and started living in Aus, I found out to my cost when I was hit with the levy

I was only in Aus for 12 days as I was here to validate my visa during a holiday.

Bermudashorts

Could somebody have made a mistake?

I was just reading about registering with medicare and it definitely seems to require more than passing through passport control.

Melchels

I had to really fight to get the levy removed, they only did it by me backdating payments t 12 months from when I first entered Aus on the visa.

Another important thing...if you have kids, they must be included on your private medical cover. Any dependant must be! Otherwise you will have to pay the medicare levy through tax if over the earnings threshold. I was always under the impression that anyone under 30 did not need to be...I was wrong according to ATO!

JAJ

Medicare staff often don't understand the law under which they are supposed to operate. As far as I understand (and I am open to correction) you are only eligible for Medicare once you take up residence in Australia, not just visiting.