Qualify for 30% private health subsidy?
 

Can anyone clarify if I am entitled to 30% subsidy of private health insurance by the government immediately as soon as I become a PR via rsms?

Re: Qualify for 30% private health subsidy?
 

Only if you are young enough! I got private health before I turned 31 and was immediately eligible. You can choose to have the amount taken off the monthly payments or you can clain it back at the end of the year.

Short answer: Yes - you are immediately eligible - but I had to provide the medical insurance company with a 'Certificate of Eligibility' from Medicare, which showed the date I became PR (not the date I became eligible for Meidcare, which was the date I appied for PR)

Re: Qualify for 30% private health subsidy?
 

Thanks. Medicare card can be applied as soon as the PR visa is granted? Did you obtain the eligibilty cert from medicare for the 30% subsidy off private health insurance the moment you got the visa?

Re: Qualify for 30% private health subsidy?
 

You can apply for Medicare coverage from the moment you APPLY for PR.

You will get a temporary medicare card.When you are GRANTED PR, you take your passport with visa sticker into medicare and you will get a 'proper' medicare card. You can then ring up/email to get the eligibility certificate which you will then need to send to your health insurer. I got mine straight away as I don't like paying out any more than I have to!

Re: Qualify for 30% private health subsidy?
 

Don't confuse the rebate with the removal of the 2% per age year over 30 that you can get if you take out private cover within a year of arrival.

Normally you have a surcharge on premiums of 2% for every year you are over 30 (up to a max IIRC of around 60%). Take it out within a year and you are treated as if you are 30.

(Doesn't remove the wrinkles though....)