Dunna27

Hi I need help im irish an jus received my 457 sponsorship visa for four years in feb.Two weeks ago I jus found out im 4 weeks pregnant I m here with my partner. I wan to know what is available to me I dont have healthcare as it wasn planned. We dont wan to go home would love to stay here. All help wud be greatly appreviated

Ozzidoc

Speak to your GP. Any GP.

Best wishes

Dorothy

Part of your 457 requirement is to have private medical insurance. Check your plan for what's covered as far as maternity benefits go.

And, as Ozzidoc says, see your GP.

pumpkin blossom

Is the visa yours or your partners?

Dunna27

The visa is under my name and I got it without healthcare they never asked me to provide healthcare

Dorothy

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/457_Visa_Restrictions Have a read of what the restrictions are and then take a look at www.immi.gov.au for 457 obligations. Do you have a reciprocal Medicare card?

Dunna27

I cant get medicare with an irish passport

Dunna27

Ireland has a recpricol agreement thats why didn need to have healthcare

Kamie26

I was always under the impression that you do.

From Dorothy's link:

9. No eligibility for Medicare, other than limited reciprocal healthcare schemes for some nationalities. Health insurance will be more expensive. Once you apply for a PR visa you are normally eligible for Medicare.

What would worry me is the limited part. I would assume that would mean life or death situations not having a baby. I would really check up on this with medicare as you may either have to get insurance, pay for it all out of your own pocket or go home to deliver. Don't just assume that it will be OK, its too important not to get the full facts from them.

Dorothy

You're right. Limited means necessary, urgent treatment, not long term things like having a baby. The OP is going to need to look over the obligations for a 457 and get herself some private coverage pronto.

NickyC

Unfortunately, there's no Health Insurance policy in the country that will give you cover for ante-natal or obstetrics if you are already pregnant. There's a universal one year waiting period for anything related to pregnancy.

pumpkin blossom

I would be more concerned about the visa. If you are obliged to work full time on the visa, then I can't imagin maternity leave would be permitted. I would definatly consult an agent!
Congratulations by the way :-)

Lily77cat

did you ever find out?? you must have had baby by now??
we are nz residents so have same reciprocal agreement as ireland so would love to know how you got on