movingtooz

Hello all,

First post to this site as have just found out this morning that we have been accepted under Class BN Subclass 136 Skilled - Independent for our Oz application! Took just under a year to get through but v excited. We have 6 months to take up the application.

In the meantime we have a query we are hoping to get pregnant shortly (just to add to the stress of the move!) but can't seem to find out what we are entitled to under Medicare or whether we would be better to stay here a while to get it all for free. We are both not working and planning on setting up our own business out in the Noosa area of Queensland so cash is at a premium and would rather not have to pay for insurance, etc.

Any advice or info on how to find out would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Emma

Speargun

Under permanent residency you do get access to Medicare...personally id definately have the baby over there...then you dont have to reapply for a visa for the baby. AND the standard of maternity care is meant to be much better (Regional differences may occur! Disclaimer - due to all the people that have differing views!! ) Personally ive found the NHS appalling for maternity care but free and my sister oz citizen now has found oz hospitals superb and she is a nurse!

good luck! we are currently having to wait before getting our medicals done because of pregnancy! A result of a rather active reccy trip to Australia in August!!

mackay

just to say that australia do have a reciprical health care agreement with the uk and if you are on say a 457 visa and are paying tax you are entitled to medicare also !

movingtooz

thanks for the replies.

Only problem is that we are planning on setting up our own business so are not sure when we will be paying tax.

Does anyone know how much private health insurance costs to cover pregnancy/maternity?

Many thanks again

Emma

Dorothy

If you have a 136 visa you are entitled to Medicare the moment you step into the Medicare office. Just bring your passport with your visa sticker and stamp from immigration and you're all set to go.

ptlabs

If you look at some of the health funds in Australia, you may be able to get a rough idea:

For example:
HCF: http://www.hcf.com.au/
Medibank Private: http://www.medibank.com.au/

Bear in mind that there may be waiting periods to serve for some of the services including pregnancy/maternity services.


Peter

comet555

Definitely have the baby there. You won't need to apply for a child visa (saves money), the child will automatically get citizenship, and you should also get the baby bonus.

I believe when you have a baby in Australia you get $5000, but you will not get maternity benefits from what I understand. Check out Centerlink family benefits and you should find it. I'm just going from memory on this but if you check it out I think it should be right.

movingtooz

Thanks again for replies.

Didn't realise about the baby bonus apparently its $4133 per baby until next year when it goes up to $5000!

Are looking into private health cover but obviously not used to it all being from the UK.

Cheers

Emma

GinaUK

You said you have a 136 visa. As Dorothy has already said: this means you're entitled to medicare from the moment you arrive (that includes all the maternity medical "stuff"). Therefore no need for private health cover to get maternity cover.

"Mackay" who wrote about "paying tax" didn't realise you have a 136 visa. He wrote about the 457 visa. On a 136 visa you are entitled to Medicare - paying taxes or not.

Gina

movingtooz

Thanks Gina thats great to know and a relief!

Good luck with your move.

movingtooz

Just got this reply from Medicare in Oz which may be of assistance to others

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the government of the United Kingdom, which entitles you to limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment while visiting Australia. This includes antenatal care as an outpatient, the birth as an in-patient, as a public patient in a public hospital.

I have included a link to the location on our website where you will find more information about the agreement.

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...alta_italy.htm

To enrol to receive Medicare Health Cover you can complete an Enrolment application form and present it, and your passport, at a branch or by mail . The form is available on the internet at the following address:

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...orm_011005.pdf


If you do not have a branch within a reasonable distance from your place of residence, you may choose to send the form to us by mail. In this case, please photocopy your passport and have it certified by a Justice of the Peace before mailing. Mail it to:

Medicare Australia
Eligibility Department
GPO Box 9822
In Your Capital City

When lodging your application at a Medicare branch please take the originals along with photocopies of the identification which will need to be **certified.

Please Note: * *Copies of the original documents must be endorsed as a true copy and will need to include the signature, address or office of one of the following:

A Justice of the Peace
Commissioner for Declarations
Commissioner of Affidavits
Person authorised under State Law
Solicitor
Registered Medical Practitioner
Bank Manager or Postal Manager

If you require further assistance please call Medicare Australia on 132 011.

JAJ

All this is irrelevant to those who have permanent visas, with respect.