pfal

Hi first time on this, great thread on 457 visa thanks a lot for all the info

We need to know if we are entitled to medicare on this visa because we have a 4 week and a 2 year old. one of us is british, one german, will we be covered by reciprocal heath agreement or will we need private health. Employer is not offering private health as part of the package.

Also any info on childcare and rent in commutable distance to neutral bay sydney much appreciated, it is difficult to decide with a screaming baby in background and the employer wants answer soon on wether we are coming or not.

thanks a lot pfal

Bix

Welcome matey.

You can get Medicare as UK has a reciprocal agreement with Aus. Check if Germany has too.

My opinion is that you should go back to the perspective employer and ask him to cover private healthcare.

Have a read of this thread...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=457+visa

The Aus authorities clearly put the onus on the employers to cover the health requirements of sponsored workers.

In practice devious employers put the onus on you by writing it into your contract.

Is this the type of employer you want to work for ? What else will he try to avoid ?

Have you plans for obtaining PR in the future ?
Have you got anything in writing from the employer to guarantee he will support that sponsorship ?
Have you looked at LAFHA ?

Bit of a minefield eh ?
Important that you know what you are letting yourself in for though.

What's your line of work ? Any chance of a PR application instead of 457 temp ?

Questions, questions.

JAJ

A German citizen formerly resident in the UK, and with a UK healthcare card, *might* be eligible for Medicare under the reciprocal scheme with the UK. It's a grey area.

In fact the whole issue of Medicare on the reciprocal schemes for those living in Australia as the holder of a visa like 457 is a grey area and although some people do get access to it (on a limited basis), policy could be changed anytime.

The original poster needs to ask some hard questions:

- why won't the employer sponsor for PR (and can he even obtain PR immediately, in the light of the April changes to the ENS scheme); and
- why won't the employer provide full medical insurance until he gets PR and can join the Medicare scheme 'properly'
- as Bix says, look out for other hidden costs you're not covered for.

As far as I am aware, access to Medicare on the reciprocal scheme does not change the need to have private health insurance. It also brings the disadvantage that despite limited Medicare benefits, again (as far as I know) you are liable to pay the full Medicare levy (1.5%) plus potentially the 1% surcharge.

Jeremy