Medicare is Australia’s main healthcare government-funded scheme. New Zealand citizens can enrol in Medicare immediately (recommended a week after you arrive) if you can prove you’ve moved to Australia (see below).
Until you enrol with Medicare Australia, you can get healthcare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement New Zealand has with Australia. This covers essential treatment in a public hospital, and of course, Doctors will happily still see you but it will cost more because you aren’t registered with them.
The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between New Zealand and Australia provides temporary coverage for medically necessary care in a public hospital and access to prescription medications at a lower price. However, it is important to note that it is only designed as a temporary measure, and longer-term treatment may require returning to New Zealand.
The Australian High Commission still recommends that people take out suitable insurance coverage for the duration of their travel. Reciprocal health care agreements do not replace the need for private travel health insurance.
The Australian Government funds three major national health schemes: Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and the 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate. These are funded via taxes and the income-based Medicare Levy, which everyone pays (unless you’re a temporary resident for tax purposes).
Editors note: the Australia government are really good at putting together online informational websites and documents to help in so many aspects of live, including healthcare.
Their website Healthdirect Australia is the national virtual public health information service. They believe that all Australian’s should have access to the information and advice they need to manage their own health and well being. Check it out!
In this post, you will find helpful information on the following:
Let us know in the comments section below if there is anything else you need to know. We will do some research and, if possible, add it to our online resources.
Medicare is a publicly funded universal health care scheme in Australia. Operated by the government authority Medicare Australia, Medicare is Australia’s primary funder of health care, funding primary health care for Australian citizens and permanent residents (except for those on Norfolk Island).
Residents are entitled to subsidised treatment from medical practitioners, eligible midwives, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals who have been issued a Medicare provider number and can also obtain free treatment in public hospitals.
Find more information on Medicare Australia here.
Moving to Australia and want to know if your medication or recommended operation is subsidised in Australia (how much is it going to cost you).
There are many things to consider when moving to Australia, and whether you can still get the prescriptions you need is high on the list. There also might be an operation you’ve been told you might need, and you want to know if you will be covered under Medicare and how much it will cost.
The good news is that, as New Zealanders living in Australia on an SCV, we are covered under Medicare for the prescriptions and hospital care we need.
Find out exactly how much your medication and operation will cost in my costs of medication and operations in Australia post.
If you are making plans to move to Australia, applying for health insurance is an important part of the process. Aside from that, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the unexpected.
In Australia, the public health system Medicare covers most Australian residents’ health care. However, Medicare does not cover everything, and you can choose to take out private health insurance to give yourself a wider range of healthcare options and more comprehensive coverage.
There are two types of health insurance: hospital and general treatment (ancillary or extras). You can buy them separately, or most funds offer combined policies. Any policy you buy will have limitations on what and when you can claim.
The Private Health Insurance Rebate is a federal government subsidy for the cost of insurance, while the Lifetime Health Cover rules are designed to encourage people to purchase and stay covered in private health coverage earlier.
Most Australians with private health insurance currently receive a rebate from the Australian Government to help cover the cost of their premiums. You can find more information on my private health insurance post.
If you are in Australia on a temporary student visa or if you are applying for a visa subclass 457, it is a visa condition that you take out private health cover. If you are visiting Australia on any other visa, you should consider taking out some cover for the duration of your stay.
This is a good place to start, the Australian Government website Private Health or you can read more on my private health insurance post.
To allow for a simpler comparison of health insurance products, all Australian health insurers are required by law to provide details of each of their products to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. PrivateHealth.gov.au contains details of every health insurance policy available in Australia, as well as its Private Health Information Statement.
This government website provides facts that are not biased or trying to sell you anything! It provides comprehensive, independent private health insurance information.
Start comparing policies here.
Private health insurance is important because Australia’s Medicare system does not cover some things. The same reasons you have health insurance in New Zealand apply to Australia.
With Health Insurance, you’ll get access to elective surgery, probably with your choice of doctor, in the comfort of a private hospital without having to wait months or even years.
The taxpayer-funded Medicare healthcare system in Australia covers many medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs. Under this system, you can be treated as a public patient, at no charge, in a public hospital by a doctor appointed by the hospital.
However, as a public patient, you have to wait your turn, and you are at the mercy of waiting lists for doctors and procedures—the same as in New Zealand.
The benefits of private health insurance include a greater choice of doctors than you would get in the public system, access to a private hospital that might be more comfortable than the public one, and probably a shorter wait for some forms of elective (non-urgent) surgery.
In the public system, if you need elective rather than emergency surgery, you may have to wait months or even years. However, with private health insurance, you may be able to have elective surgery within weeks, possibly at a time and place convenient to you.
In addition, some forms of health care are not free in the public system. You have to pay for your regular dentist visits, for instance.
Depending on the policy you take out and within the annual maximum payouts set by the policy, private health insurance can cover costs such as:
A good GP can be one of the most important people in your life, particularly if you have a chronic condition or develop a serious illness. A positive ongoing relationship with your GP is priceless, so choosing the right one is important.
The best doctors do more than diagnose – they coordinate your complete healthcare, sending you the right tests and to the right specialists. They’ll help you stay healthier and limit unnecessary hospital visits.
Health Direct, an Australian Government website, has put together a helpful guide to finding the right health professional. On this page, there is a tool to help you find a health service, such as a GP (general practice), pharmacy, emergency department, or hospital, in your area. There are no review ratings on this website, so I recommend searching Google for reviews on your local practitioners, which is always enlightening.
In saying that, I find getting a referral for a new doctor/GP is always best. The good news is that Australians love to chat, so once you’ve found your new home, start asking around. I’m sure you’ll get chatting with someone in your local cafe, bar, school or supermarket and end up with a referral. Honestly, it always amazed me the chats I’d get into in the supermarket line, or anywhere for that matter, with a local Aussie.
The below posts might interest you:
If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please comment below, and I’ll research the answer for you.
If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go!
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 17+ years! I know everything there is to know about New Zealanders moving their families and life to Australia. Either from first hand experiences and research or through the questions from visitors to this website… and I’m here to help!
I love helping people via Moving to Australia.
Providing the answers to questions we all ask when deciding whether to make the move from New Zealand to Australia. Even giving individual specific advice where needed.
I have learned a lot over the last 17+ years from personal experience and through interacting with visitors. This is my job, making sure the information here is comprehensive and up to date.
If you would like to help me, you can use one of my referral partners.
© 2008 - 2023 Copyright Cybersmith Ltd. All content is copyright.
Design by ThemeShift.
John and Wendy
July 23, 2019 at 9:56 pmHi JJ,
Love your informative website…
Question please…. We are a couple in our early 70’s considering retirement on Sunshine Coast.
We know we can get Australian pension and medicare card – and probably health card…
If we need medical treatment for a pre existing condition at hospital are we automatically covered for that ?
Regards John and Wendy
JJ Smith
July 23, 2019 at 9:58 pmHi John and Wendy,
Thank you for your email.
I have looked into this before and can’t find any exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions with Medicare, which is what will cover you.
I would recommend you look into private health insurance in relation to your medical requirements: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/private-health-insurance/.
BTW the Sunshine Coast is a beautiful place to retire. I’m sure you will love the warm weather and beautiful coast.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
John and Wendy
July 24, 2019 at 10:48 pmThank you JJ….
Another question please…
When we sell he Auckland house we will have a total amount of cash in which to purchase a house and land complete package , plus a surplus which will be classed as assets when assessing whether or not we qualify for full age pension in Queensland.
The amount that will be left over after house purchase is less that the maximum you are allowed without affecting pension.
Your articles say you must apply for the Australian age pension within 4 weeks if arriving and being paid NZ Super…
How will this work , so as not to affect the pension calculation in Queensland?
Thanks
JJ Smith
July 24, 2019 at 10:50 pmHi John and Wendy,
I’m guessing you completed the asset test on this link: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/how-much-you-can-get/assets-test.
Unfortunately I am not a specialist in this area. I have only gathered all the info I can find on the internet.
Therefore I recommend you get in touch with Work and Income: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/contact-us/international-services.html.
If they can’t help then you will need to contact Centerlink and ask them: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/contact-us.
Thanks
Tina
May 23, 2019 at 12:41 amHi,
My name is Tina and was born and still living in New Zealand. My two kids and I are moving to Australia. Can you please help me and tell me what I need to do or make sure I have done before leaving New Zealand, for eg, do I need a letter from my family doctors? If so, what kind of letter?
And any other proof I’ll also need to take with me to Australia? Do I need to fill out some forms/papers before leaving NZ?
Thank you for your help.
JJ Smith
May 23, 2019 at 12:43 amHi Tina,
Thank you for your comment.
Start here with this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-australia-process/. It outlines what you need to do before you leave and after you arrive in Australia.
Also read this article and make sure you have all the paperwork you need before you leave Australia, especially to make up your 100 points of identification: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-real-estate/.
Please email me back any specific questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Sara
May 8, 2019 at 3:05 amHi, loving your website! It sure is God sent 🙂
With transfer of medical records what kind of records do I actually need to obtain and is this generally an electronic process or will I have to carry around hard copies of everything?
Thank you for your help and time.
Sara
JJ Smith
May 8, 2019 at 11:39 pmHi Sara,
Thank you for your comment and lovely compliment.
Most doctors now have electronic records and it should be simple request. People change doctors all the time and their records are transferred. However, you will need to take your plunket books if your children are still young.
Good luck with your move.
Sara
May 14, 2019 at 4:40 pmHi again,
Thank you for your help.
I can’t seem to find anything here on aged pension benefits for say my parents if they want to move soon after us. Are they eligible for the pension in Australia? Are you able to shed some light on this topic please? Sorry if asking in the wrong section.
JJ Smith
May 26, 2019 at 9:49 pmHi Sara,
I’ve had a lot of enquiries regarding the Australia Age Pension so I’ve written this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Good luck with your move.
Anna
April 29, 2019 at 10:15 pmHi there,
We are looking at moving to Brisbane, Australia from New Zealand, I will be 34 weeks pregnant, while in NZ I’m eligible for paid maternity pay (as I have been working right up) do you know if there is any type of maternity pay I will be eligible for?
Kind Regards,
Anna
JJ Smith
April 29, 2019 at 10:21 pmHi Anna,
Thank you for your message.
Great news is that yes you are able to get Australia’s equivalent of NZ’s paid maternity leave.
It’s quite different to NZ so I’ve written this post that will hopefully answer all your questions: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/new-zealanders-having-a-baby-in-australia/.
If there is anything I haven’t covered please email me back.
Good luck with your move.
Anna
April 30, 2019 at 10:37 pmSorry! Another question.
Paid leave in Australia, I can’t seem to follow how this works. Is it a weekly amount or lump sum?
Kind Regards,
Anna
JJ Smith
April 30, 2019 at 10:39 pmHi Anna,
Australia maternity leave is not as straight up as the NZ one. You get $550 upfront and a weekly payment for 13 weeks.
The amount you receive depends on how many children you have and your family’s income. The maximum amount you can receive for your first child is $1,649.83. For subsequent children the maximum amount is $550.55.
Here is a link to the Department of Human Services website, where you can find out how much you can get: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/family-tax-benefit/how-much-you-can-get. Unfortunately there is no easy to use calculator, you have to figure out each section based on your families income.
Just to confirm you can receive the NZ maternity leave instead of the Australian option if it works out better for you.
Happy to answer any further questions that pop up.
JJ Smith
June 5, 2019 at 10:05 pmHi Anna,
If your C-section isn’t elective and you need one then Medicare will cover your costs.
If you give birth using the public hospital system, your costs will be covered by Medicare. Read this article: https://www.finder.com.au/health-insurance-cesarean-section.
From all the info I’ve read online, the main downside of going public is that you will probably end up sharing a room, rather than private, getting your own room.
You can get a no obligation private health insurance quote here: https://migration.bupa.com.au/.
I would recommend you to call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse, but they aren’t funded to talk to people outside. If you have family over there, they might be able to call on your behalf. Their website is pretty good: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caesarean, but did not cover costs.
Congratulations on the sale of your home! Make sure you read this article on foreign exchange, as you will want to keep as much of your money as possible when transferring it to Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please let me know if I can help in any other way.
Thanks
Ben
December 3, 2018 at 8:49 pmHi,
My wife and I are expecting next year around July and we wanna have the baby in Brisbane. What are the chances of this happening for us working around annual and maternity leaves as well as doctors check ups.
Note that my wife is Australian originally from Brisbane so she has family there hence why she is wanting to give birth there but we live and work in Auckland and are trying to figure out how we are gonna make this work.
Plus will she be able to receive financial support from the govt there after she has given birth?
Any advice please?
Kind Regards,
Ben
JJ Smith
December 3, 2018 at 8:51 pmHi Ben,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Did you see this post on having a baby in Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/new-zealanders-having-a-baby-in-australia/.
In Australia you receive antenatal care from your GP, midwife or obstetrician, so you will need to apply for Medicare when you arrive at your local Medicare office.
You are eligible for Government support after having the baby. The current schemes are the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement. Here is a link to the Australian Government site with all the info including payment rates, claiming and additional resources: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/newborn-upfront-payment-and-newborn-supplement. My post does cover the above too.
Please have a read of the above and let me know if you still have any questions.
Thanks,
JJ Smith
Jackson
March 8, 2019 at 10:27 pmHi JJ,
First of all congratulations for the beautiful work with your blog helping kiwis moving to Australia. .
we are thinking of moving to Australia and we have some doubts.
One of them is about health. My wife is totally healthy but she is at “high risk of cancer” because of her family history, (the only thing she needs to do early I ts a mammogram just follow up), do you know if this would be a problem to apply for our residency in Australia?
Many thanks in advance.
Jackson
JJ Smith
March 12, 2019 at 12:57 amHi Jackson,
Thank you for your comment.
This is a hard one for me to answer since I am not an immigration specialist and if you want to know 100% you will need to ask one. You can find an immigration specialist on the Australian Government website, Migration Agents Registration Authority (https://www.mara.gov.au/).
However, I would say it would have more bearing on your health care needs while in Australia, e.g. Medicare and private health insurance:
– https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/
– https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/private-health-insurance/
In fact from my research it looks like Australia is well ahead of NZ in the cancer treatments they offer:
– https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/352041/cancer-sufferers-want-oz-treatments-i-want-to-live
– https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/350693/australia-ahead-of-nz-in-cancer-survival-rates
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Good luck with your move
Sarah Goldsmith
August 26, 2015 at 5:16 amHi team, great website resource. I just wondered if you could let me know what an NZ citizens entitlement to maternity leave is and if midwife care is full funded? I doubt I will have worked in AU for a year or more (definitely will have in NZ though) when we move. Hubby is an AU citizen so I’m not sure if that will help.
JJ Smith
August 26, 2015 at 7:01 amHi Sarah,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You are automatically entitled to the baby bonus, which works out very similar to maternity leave. You do not need to have worked for a certain period of time, you just need to have your baby in Australia. You can read more about it here: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/newborn-upfront-payment-and-newborn-supplement.
I recommend you read the information on the below page, which covers before you baby is born, when your baby is born and after the baby is born and tools and extra information: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/having-a-baby.
Good luck with your move.
Ryan Wilson
July 5, 2015 at 11:59 amHi there,
We are moving to Melbourne this August and we just want to ask about SCV and Medicare. Me and my wife are just resident here in New Zealand but our 4 months old baby is a New Zealand citizen, will she be eligible for Medicare? and is SCV automatically granted once she entered Australia? My wife and I have working visa to enter Australia.
Thanks,
Ryan
JJ Smith
July 6, 2015 at 4:59 amHi Ryan,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Yes your daughter will be granted a SCV on entry and is eligible for Medicare.
You can find more information on Medicare enrolment for New Zealand citizens here http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/medicare-card/medicare-enrolment-for-new-zealand-citizens, including the Medicare enrollment application form.
On a personal note, I took my month old son to the Brisbane hospital and found the service amazing, much better than Auckland, and it was completely free, even before I applied for Medicare.
Good luck with your move.
Suzanne Cochrane
February 13, 2015 at 11:57 pmHi there myself & husband & 3 children plan on moving to australia. Can you advise me if we should take Private Healthcare ? Or is Healthcare for British Citizens living in Australia provided?
JJ Smith
February 16, 2015 at 8:53 amHi Suzanne,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Do you have private healthcare in NZ? Australia works pretty similar to New Zealand.
Medicare does cover some things, generally what is also free in NZ, but for anything extra you will need private healthcare.
Click here for more information on Health Insurance in Australia, how to join and what different cover options are and how much they cost.
Hope the above answers your questions.
Bridget
May 13, 2014 at 4:08 amHi there, we are moving to perth around xmas this year long term with my Husband and hoping to start a family the year after as I’m a nz cit will there be any help with pre and post birthcare or do we need health insurance this is the only part I’m worrying about can you please help with any info.
JJ Smith
May 14, 2014 at 6:38 amHi Bridget,
Thank you for your enquiry.
After searching/readi ng for half an hour I have not found an answer to your question. It might pay to call Medicare or a pregnancy care provider and ask them.
However, you might be able to find some useful information on the Australian Government website regarding having a baby in Australia: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/having-a-baby.
Good luck and please let me know what you get on.
Vasa
March 25, 2014 at 2:19 pmI have a three year old daughter that is up to date with her immunizations in New Zealand. She will be moving over in a month, and going straight into Daycare. I understand there are certain Immunization requirements to have access to Child Care benefits, Repayments etc..
Is there a difference between NZ’s Immunization standards and Australian Childhood Immunization? i.e: Will she need additional vaccines before coming to Australia?
JJ Smith
March 26, 2014 at 4:33 amHi Vasa,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately I have no knowledge on immunisations in Australia and can’t find the answer on the web.
I recommend contacting a childcare in the area you are moving to, as they will be able to answer your question easily.
However, you will need to apply for Medicare. You need to apply in person at a Medicare office. It is recommended you wait one week after your arrival in Australia before applying, to allow time for Medicare to receive your visa details from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Please take your passport or travel document with you.
Good luck with your move.
Mary
November 29, 2013 at 9:44 pmMy husband has a New Zealand Passport I’m on a British passport and we will be moving to Australia in March (husband) / April (myself and baby) next year. I am due to have our fist child in January.
I am concerned how soon we (the baby and myself) would be eligible to medicare cover for things such as childhood immunizations as we will be arriving potentially just before the next set are due. I will be applying initially for a working visa then longer term for permanent residency and the baby under my visa. I was advised that as a British citizen I should have reciprocal medicare eligibility but it seems very hard to get definitive answers.
My husband has an offer of salaried work starting in March.
Thank you in advance for any advice or even advice on where to go to seek more answers!
JJ Smith
December 2, 2013 at 7:59 amHi Mary,
Thank you for your email.
I believe you and your child are covered by Medicare. However, I would definitely recommend contacting them directly on +61 131 673 (International Services call centre).
Please let me know how you get on.
Danielle
June 7, 2013 at 2:18 pmHi
Do you know if Kiwi’s living in Australia are entitled to paid maternity leave if they have worked in Australia prior to going on leave?
Regards
Danielle
JJ Smith
June 10, 2013 at 9:19 amHi Danielle,
Thank you for your enquiry.
There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account with Australian Parental Leave Pay.
You can find all the information on the Australian Government Department of Human Services website: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/parental-leave-pay.
It is probably easiest to simply give them a call 136 150 or visit one of their service centres.
Please comment again on how you get on to help other visitors to the site.
Thanks
Jamie Single
March 6, 2013 at 12:01 pmWe are moving to Brisbane in June with our three children. One has spina bifida. What we need to know is about accessing nappies, catheters etc and if we will have to pay for them. Also we were wondering about his wheelchair etc, will we need to buy one ourselves or is it the same as here in nz where they are provided.
JJ Smith
March 12, 2013 at 3:36 amGood morning,
Thank you for your comment.
This is quite a specialised area that I do not know much about sorry.
I recommend you do some Google searching and see what you find. Then join some Australia online community websites, where you can ask questions and talk to parents who would be able to help.
Below are some resources I find in the search ‘help for parents with a Spina bifida child Australia’:
– Australian Baby Center community website, where you can ask questions and find support: http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a3825/spina_bifida_kids
– Spina Bifida Implications for schools: http://www.physicalasanything.com.au/lo/spinaBifida_050/spinaBifida_02.htm
Also when I searched ‘government support for kids Spina bifida australia’. However, you will have to check/search for information in the territory you are looking at moving into:
– Spina Bifida Association Listservs bring people together online to discuss topics such as parenting a child with spina bifida and growing up with spina bifida: http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8028963/k.BE67/Home.htm
I hope this has helped in some way.
Good Luck.
Donna
January 13, 2013 at 2:13 amGood morning,
I have an 11yr old son with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic life long condition that requires regular hospital admissions. Would he still be able to access the public system in Australia if we move there?
Thanks Donna
JJ Smith
May 24, 2018 at 1:51 amGood morning Donna,
Thank you for your comment.
You should be able to get Medicare cover which will cover you for hospital admissions. However, it would not hurt to call them and discuss you circumstances with them, as they will be able to give you the best advice. Call Centrelink for free on 0800 441 248, they will be able to give you Medicare advice.
Please let me know how you get on as this information may also help others.
Kind Regards,
MTA Team
Kara
April 16, 2012 at 5:13 amHi,
Is this definitely available to all SCV NZ’ers or just those wanting perm.residence in Australia? In regards to medical insurance, is there a website that compares all the different options/costs available that you could recommend…
Thanks again
JJ Smith
May 1, 2012 at 6:29 amHi Kara,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Yes, Medicare is available to all New Zealanders living and working in Australia, because of the Special Category Visa (SCV).
Have you had a look at the Australia Government site on health insurance? This site allows you to compare health insurance policies (http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/dynamic/compare.aspx). It is a very helpful tool.
Please let me know if you require further information.
Kind Regards,
MTA Team