There are many things to consider when moving to Australia, and whether you can still get the prescription medication 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 below exactly how much your medication and operation will cost. For more information on Medicare, read my Medicare Australia post.
In this post you will find helpful information on:
Medication is subsidised in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Under the PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicine for most medical conditions. Most of the listed medicines are dispensed by pharmacists and used by patients at home. Some medicines are dangerous to administer and need medical supervision (such as chemotherapy drugs) and are only accessible at specialised medical services, usually hospitals.
The PBS Schedule lists all of the medicines available to be dispensed to patients at a Government-subsidised price. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by Services Australia.
They now have the schedule online, and it is updated every month. This online searchable version contains:
The Scheme is available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card. Overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) (New Zealand) are also eligible to access the Scheme.
You will need to provide your Medicare card every time you present your script to the pharmacist to receive subsidised medication.
You can read more about PBS on their website and search the PBS schedule to see if your medication is covered and what you can expect to pay.
Like in New Zealand, you pay a proportion (a ‘co-payment’) for your PBS medicines, and the Government pays the rest of the cost. The co-payment arrangements help ensure that medicines remain affordable. The full cost of your medicine can be found on pbs.gov.au by searching for the medicine.
If you prefer a premium brand, then you will have to pay more than the co-payment for prescriptions.
Generally, the price of a medicine produced by different manufacturers is set at the same price. However, at the request of a manufacturer, the Government may allow an additional charge known as a Brand Premium, which is paid by the consumer. Typically, this happens when a medicine comes off patent, and a competing brand is listed at a reduced price. There is always a brand available without the extra cost, so you do not need to pay the brand premium if you do not want to.
Search the PBS schedule to see if your medication is covered and what you can expect to pay.
Overseas prescriptions cannot be filled in Australia. If the item is not restricted in Australia, a maximum of 3 months’ supply can be imported from overseas.
If you are staying in Australia longer than your medication will last, you will need to see a local doctor and get a new prescription.
The Australian Government Department of Health website has a tool for finding and understanding the costs of medical specialist services across Australia, including operations. You can search for a procedure or service or browse by category.
Information provided includes:
So, if you are worried about a procedure or surgery you may need after you move to Australia, use this tool, Medical Costs Finder, to find out how much it will cost you.
If you are taking your medication to Australia with you, then you should also take a valid prescription to confirm that the medicines you are carrying have been prescribed to you or provide a letter from your doctor that states you are under their treatment and that the medication(s) you are carrying has been prescribed for your personal use. Your doctor’s letter must specify the name of the medicine and dosage.
Ensure the medication remains in its original packaging with the dispensing label intact. This will assist with identifying each substance at the border. Be ready to declare all medication to the Australian Border Force upon arrival.
Medicare is a publicly funded universal health care scheme in Australia. Operated by the government authority Medicare Australia, Medicare is the primary funder of health care in Australia, funding primary health care for Australian citizens and permanent residents (except for those on Norfolk Island), including NZ citizens.
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.
When researching Medicare, make sure you are visiting an Australian site and not the U.S. government health insurance program. Make sure you read my Medicare Australia post first, as it contains all the info you need as a New Zealander moving to Australia.
The below posts might interest you:
If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below and I’ll research the answer for you.
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Monique Kauie
November 17, 2025 at 8:35 pmHi
My daughter has a rare genetic condition and requires medication every 8 hours. I can’t find it on the PBS website so it must be restricted. I’ve called hospitals pharmacies in Brisbane and asked my specialist in Nz the cost as I don’t want to move and can’t afford the cost but no one can tell me. It’s called diazoxide and is an oral medicine. If you could find out would be amazing
JJ Smith
November 18, 2025 at 3:30 pmHi Monique,
Thanks for your comment.
I’m really sorry to hear what you’re going through. That must be so stressful trying to pin down the cost, especially when it’s a life-essential medication.
Here’s what I’ve found, plus some next-steps you might be able to take. I’m not a doctor or pharmacist, so you’ll probably want to discuss this with a specialist in Australia, but hopefully this gives you more direction.
What I found out about Diazoxide cost and access
1. In New Zealand
– Diazoxide (brand: Proglicem) 100 mg tablets are subsidised. The Pharmac (NZ) subsidy is $280 per 100-tablet pack for the 100 mg version.
– There was a recent supply issue, but as of October 2025 a new shipment has arrived and should reach pharmacies in the next 1–2 weeks.
– The 25mg capsules are also subsidised (as per a funding decision to list Diazoxide in the Pharmac schedule).
2. In Australia
– I also could not find Diazoxide listed on the PBS website (the main government medicine subsidy scheme). I couldn’t find it in recent PBS price-disclosure or listing documents.
– Since it’s not (as far as public records show) on the PBS, the cost could be significantly higher when bought privately or via compounding.
– The only Australian website I found it on was Focuspills Australia, but I’m pretty sure it’s a scam, because it states ‘We are shipping in All country’ and it’s based in America: generic Diazoxide capsules (25mg) can cost AU$99 for 30 capsules. There was no phone number, or I would have called it to see if it’s legit, but I wouldn’t trust it.
3. Other support / funding options
– In Australia, there is a Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) for very rare and life-threatening conditions. The LSDP can fully subsidise medicines that are not listed on the PBS. More information: Department of Health, Disability, Ageing.
– Whether Diazoxide is covered under this program will depend on whether it has been approved for that scheme for your daughter’s condition. You may need to find a specialist in Australia to check if this is an option.
What You Could Do Next
– Talk to your specialist and find one in Australia: Share these price-points and ask explicitly: Is there a funding application or subsidy available for Diazoxide under the Life-Saving Drugs Program (or another scheme)?
– Ask your pharmacy / hospital pharmacy team: Some hospitals or compounding pharmacies might be able to make an application, or may have access to subsidised or imported stock.
– Contact Pharmac (NZ): Since Diazoxide is subsidised in NZ, they may be able to help you understand eligibility, costs, and how to access it reliably.
– Look into patient-access or compassionate-use programs: Pharmaceutical companies sometimes have programs for rare conditions. Your specialist’s office or a patient advocacy group may help here.
Sorry that I wasn’t able to find you a price for this medication. I really hope the above helps in some way.
Good luck with your search.
Dayna
August 21, 2024 at 4:00 pmMy husband has a chronic condition which is covered via the NZ government, he pays nothing for it. He needs a visit to the hospital every month for a infusion. Would this be covered by the universal health agreement if we were to look to move? Australia has better trials and different medicines for this condition which may be worth considering.
JJ Smith
August 26, 2024 at 1:24 pmHi Dayna,
Thanks for your comment.
Within my costs of medication and operations in Australia post, there are links to the PBS online schedule and a Medical Costs Finder.
I recommend you search these for the infusion your husband needs, as you will be able to find how much it costs and if it is covered by Medicare Australia:
– Medical Costs Finder – https://medicalcostsfinder.health.gov.au/
– PBS online schedule – https://www.pbs.gov.au/browse/medicine-listing
Please let me know if you have any problems using the above websites.
Good luck with your move.
Holly
October 22, 2024 at 10:05 pmI am in the same situation. Infusion needed every month for my Multiple Sclerosis. We desperately need to make a change and having this has put me off for years.
JJ Smith
October 23, 2024 at 5:14 pmHi Holly,
Thank you for your comment.
I can image how you feel, having such a serious medical condition.
Did you check the PBS online schedule and a Medical Costs Finder to find out how much your infusion will cost per month?
Here are the links in-case you haven’t checked yet:
– Medical Costs Finder – https://medicalcostsfinder.health.gov.au/
– PBS online schedule – https://www.pbs.gov.au/browse/medicine-listing
Hope the above helps.
Jimmy
August 14, 2024 at 10:05 amHi JJ
if a NZer travels to Oz to live permanently with an existing significant medical condition that will require treatment at some point, do Nzers qualify for the public health system in Oz ?
JJ Smith
August 26, 2024 at 12:24 pmHi Jimmy,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
Yes, New Zealand citizens living in Australia on an CSV are eligible for Medicare, which is the publicly funded universal health care scheme in Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/.
The Australian government also offer a private health insurance rebate: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/private-health-insurance/.
You would have seen the medical costs finder link on my costs of medication and operations in Australia post. Did you search for the treatment options for your condition?
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Audrey
May 24, 2024 at 12:00 pmHi,
Thank you for this post.
Please note that to apply for Medicare we are looking at 2 to 3 months wait. I’ve been in Perth since mid January and they only made contact with me 2 weeks ago.
You can buy health insurance at a lower premium without Medicare card. So best to advise to keep their health insurance in NZ until Medicare card is received.
Regards,
Audrey
JJ Smith
May 27, 2024 at 12:11 pmHi Audrey,
Thank you so much for sharing this info with me. I have added it to my Medicare Australia post to help other visitors.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Thanks,
JJ Smith
Bill
May 23, 2024 at 12:25 pmThank you for all your incredibly useful information.
It is much appreciated.
Bill
JJ Smith
May 27, 2024 at 12:05 pmYou’re welcome Bill!
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Thanks,
JJ Smith
Raymond Van Der Riet
May 22, 2024 at 6:23 pmWe are currently moving over to Perth I’m slightly confused I’m get conflicting information on the amount of medication one can bring with them
One article said 6 Months and another article said 3 months please help me clarify this issue
JJ Smith
May 27, 2024 at 12:23 pmHi Raymond,
Thanks for your comment.
You can carry 3 months’ worth of medicine into Australia.
I’ve got this information from the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, Office of Drug Control website: https://www.odc.gov.au/travellers/travelling-or-australia-medicines-and-medical-devices.
It is also backed up on the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, Therapeutic Goods Administration website: https://www.tga.gov.au/products/travelling-medicines-and-medical-devices.
You can visit either of the above website for more information.
Thanks
Glenys
May 22, 2024 at 12:31 pmFirstly, I want to thank you for all the info you put out there for us who have moved to Oz recently.
The receprical arrangement was brilliant a couple weeks ago for husband who was in Ballarat hospital for a week .
We have been here since Dec 2023 and applied for Medicare in January. As you wrote, it takes a while, so we finally have a number and cards on our way! Due to COVID, my husband and I got it about a month ago. My daughter got onto them as the Antiviral meds are $1100 without Medicare and $30 with MC. So we had the number, so it’s all good now.
I never did my homework before going to Oz, even though I had your emails, but as a 70-year-old and 89-year-old, it was huge.
I am applying for a driver’s licence tomorrow to get an Australian license. Thanks so much for all the info you gave us.
Regards Glenys
JJ Smith
May 22, 2024 at 12:32 pmHi Glenys,
Thank you so much for taking the time to message me. I love getting feedback!
So glad you have finally got your Medicare number, sure does make a difference.
Enjoy your new life in Australia