Originally Posted by chels

How much was the prescription? Am I right in thinking that there isn't a standard prescription charge in Australia and it differs according to the medicine? or I have got that wrong?? Not needed any drugs yet thankfully

Originally Posted by mjj

I registered with Medicare yesterday and it took 15 minutes. I took in my passport, employment contract and a letter from our removal company that proved we are shipping all of our possessions over. Apparently they need to see evidence that you are serious about permanently settling in Australia.

Remember that this country is obsessed with ID. I had an absolute nightmare here just buying a car because I had to produce loads of ID.

mjj

Originally Posted by JAJ

If you are an Australian citizen returning from overseas, or a newly arrived New Zealander, then they normally do need to see proof you're living in Australia - not just visiting.

Originally Posted by Mysterio

I went to the bank to withdraw $3000 Being the dope I am I took no ID whats so ever :o apart from my bank card "FFS" I thought "what a Pratt", but after half a dozen questions they gave it me :D who needs ID

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Hi all,

I though I'd share with you the problems I am experiencing in registering with Medicare, just so that you may be forewarned.

I went in this morning to try and register and was told that the documents I had 'were not the right ones'. I took my passport with my visa, my contract from my job, my TFN advice letter and my local bank cards, as it suggests on the Medicare web site.

The (unhelpful) bloke behind the desk said that I needed more ID to prove that I was actually living here. Now, as I am in a shared house, and have only been here 10 weeks, I don't have any bills with my name and address on. I havn't received any bank statements yet and my credit card hasn't been approved yet.

So at the mnoment I'm really struggling with this. Has anybody else found this?

They gave me a really 'useful' sheet, and they are asking for things like letters form my previous employer stating that I have left, evidence of the sale of my UK property, customs documents relating to importing my possessions or evidence of closure of UK banking facilities. They also suggested that I could get a letter from the British High Commission stating that I have left the UK! I can imagine how easy that will be to get hold of...

Part of the problem is that I opened my bank account before I arrived, so don't have any documentation of having opened one after arrival. It seems that the system is heavily loaded against the independent traveller who comes with a couple of suitcases, then stays in shared accommodation.

Problem is that I could really do with going to see the Doctor, as I have had strange stomacg pains for the last 2 weeks, and they don't show any signs of going away...

Any suggestions?

S

Originally Posted by Abhi

Even we had the same issue, they needed a proof that we are commited to stay in australia, they have asked us for the following documents
1. Letter of employment from the current employer(that has the date of
joining over here)
2. Relieving letter from the previous employer, (that we are no longer working
over there)
3. Rental Agreement in Sydney( only my wife signed it as I had not arrived by
then, so it was a problem with my medicare card)
4. Bank statement from the local bank with the address(ANZ charged 5$ for
the statement)
5.TFN documents.

The records between DIMIA and Medicare are not properly linked up, so in case they cant find your record, ask them to search with different cominations like lastname+firstname(no space) and other combinations etc, as
we had circle round medicare 4 times before we go the temp cards

Originally Posted by ElshaUK

Oh great, I have all this to come then! Thank goodness I kept an Australian Credit card and recieve statements to my Dad's Aussie address - least I can show something with an Aussie address on it.

What a hassle eh! :confused:

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

I think they actually make it worse for you returning Aussies.

A chap I work with had real problems when he came back from university in the UK. He had a devils job re-registering with Medicare apparently.

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

I think they actually make it worse for you returning Aussies.

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

I don't know if any of you have had to go to the Post Office to have an ID check done - I needed to for my Virgin Credit Card - but the list that Virgin gave me of what is acceptable doesn't match the list the post office has!!

Left hand meet Right hand - why don't you get together and work out what each of you are doing!

S

Originally Posted by moneypen20

Weird, I had absolutely no hassle with the post office doing the ID check for my Virgin card even though I took hubby's stuff as well. Was in and out in about five minutes and she sent it all off for me. I love the post office here - they're brilliant.