Billy_NoMates

We are here on a 457. Medicare told us we weren't eligible for Medicare because we were from NZ/UK. However, she did say that as soon as I apply for PR we can claim Medicare. Note the 'apply' not granted etc but simply apply.

JAJ

What is meant by this? What is your nationality and where were you living last?


That is correct.

Billy_NoMates

We are UK citizens but having lived in NZ for the last 8 years we are classed as being from NZ. They said we cannot receive Medicare being from NZ but do have reciprocal health cover as we're UK citizens. I think we can have hospitalisation cover but we have to pay for doctor/dentist visits.

JAJ

Did you not obtain New Zealand citizenship?

Billy_NoMates

Ummmm, no. If we had we wouldn't have needed a 457! Didn't really cross our minds until we decided to come to Aus. Typical.

JAJ

Not only that, you'd be entitled to full Medicare. Still, it's too late now.

Reciprocal medicare is based on residence, not citizenship, so they are correct to treat you under the terms of the NZ agreement, which is quite restrictive.

NZ citizens living in Australia don't need to use the reciprocal scheme.

Billy_NoMates

Company have offered ENS next Oct so hopefully not too many dramas between now and then. We are used to paying for medical visits having come from NZ, so it's not 'too' bad.

mrt

Hi,

Unfortunately the job contract given to my wife specifically states that a private health plan+ repatriation has to be taken out or else the contract is void
The goods news is that I will be paying weekly and can stop as soon as the PR is granted.


cheers

mrt

looky

I am on a 457 and the country where I came from does not have a reciprocal health arrangement with Australia. I was under the impression that I do not qualify for medicare even on a temp visa with the right to work (457). I was told that I was not eligible by medicare when I was on subclass 300 which is a provisional visa with the right to work.

I am on private health insurance and applied for the medicare exemption certificate and got it for the last financial year. Although, it seems the exemption certificate doesn't actually do anything as I do not have to pay medicare levy since I am on private health.

comet555

Yes, that is correct. If you are on a 457 and do not have reciprocal health care then you cannot get medicare. I'm Canadian so if I was on a temp visa I wouldn't get Medicare either (but came on PR so no problem).

The subclass 300 visa you mentioned seems to be a prospective marriage visa. From the quote I gave before you need to be on a 457 and apply for a permanent visa to be eligible for medicare. I have no idea if the 300 visa is classed as permanent or not. I did see this however:
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/part.../300/index.htm

The important part copied from that link:
What does the visa let me do?

With this visa, you:

• must enter Australia before you marry your fiance(é)
• may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish before your visa ceases (nine (9) months after visa grant)
• can work in Australia
• can apply for a Spouse visa in Australia after you marry your fiance(é)
• can study, but you will not have access to government funding
• may use Australia's medical expenses and hospital care assistance scheme, Medicare, but only if you are in Australia and have already applied for a Spouse visa.

So to me, it sounds as though you could only access medicare if you've applied for the spouse visa. It doesn't seem to matter if you apply for a temp spouse visa or a permanent. If you look at the chart on this page it specifically mentions medicare entitelements.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/part...-801/index.htm

Hope that helps. You may have to print out some of those web pages to bring to the Medicare office. Not all the employees will know much about the visas, so you might have to bring the proof with you to explain it to them and have them check with superiors.

hitchcock71

we only pay $2600 and thats for basic cover and added extras - covers the bases - medicare covers everything else - the added extras are cheaper if you add them on to the policy than if you buy them included in the policy - hope you understand that -

we are covered for 2 adults and 2 kids and this is medibank

mrt

I just filled out the info for a qoute specifying that its for an "overseas worker" and the qoute came back at over $ 4000. Are you on a 457?

thanks

mrt

comet555

I assume that's a typo!

mrt

lol yes....If that was the case I would probably be staying put.

hitchcock71

yep