miriam

We [ hubbie, me and son] are migrating to Oz in May - pretty sorted until this morning when my husband couldn't get out of bed and has slipped a disc.

Does anyone know how to register for Australian Healthcare System?

are we eligible as soon as we arrive to use it?

Is it any good?

I would appreciate any responses as soon as possible since we can't afford to pay privately until we get jobs in Oz

Many thanks

Miriam

Grayling

Miriam
As I understand it it is fairly easy to register for medicare when you arrive.Someone who has been through the process will give more details.
Whether you can afford privare health insurance or not is not the point.You will find that most companies will not cover anything for a few months except for accidents.You may also have trouble getting cover for pre-existing conditions or at least have to pay a premium.
That's the way private insurance works in the UK and I doubt if it is different in Australia.
Good luck

G

miriam

bondipom

You can use the healthcare system on arrival. You may have to pay up front. You will have to register for a medicare card at a medicare office, wait for your card and then take your invoices back to the office for a refund.

miriam

Thanks for your help

John Howard

Try to ge what you can from the NHS or if you are private even better.

You will have to pay through the nose in Oz. I have just discovered i have a bad (lower) back. I went to my local medical centre where they dont bulk bill. For a 15min consult $46 the sheduled fee through medicare is around $26 so thats what you get back.

Refered by doctor for a back x-ray and a wedding jewels ultrasound, cost $280. return from Medicare about $150.

Nads, both OK better to be safe than sorry Lower back not to good.

Have just joined a private health fund $140ish a month for a couple. Did this to lower the ammount of tax taken out of our wages due to the medicare levy/NI.

Make sure you fully research the Australian Medical System before you arrive :scared:

And also the bloody banks

All the best

I do love it here though

Boozy

if you are a permanent reisent when you arrive you can simply go into a medicare office to register.
If your need is urgent, Oz has a recipricol health care arrangement with the uk for non residents.
If hubby is not ok when time to fly, phone the airline and ask then for seats by an exit so you have more leg space

miriam

From all your comments I can see that my husband will actually be better off in Australia regarding treatment - today we found out that in London there is a 6 month waiting list for the back specialist for his initial appointment and to have an MRI scan done privately its $899 + VAT. The NHS is in a pathetic state....

strangely, australia is more affordable for us.

I'm sure my husband won't be covered by medical insurance in oz since he has a pre-existing condition.

John - do you have a good physio in sydney?

thanks

miriam