Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
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 for 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 & general treatment (ancillary or extras). You can buy them separately or most funds offer combined policies. There will be limitations on what and when you can claim with any policy you buy.
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 this rebate below.
For information on Medicare, including how to apply, what you’re entitled to, costs of healthcare and more, please visit my Medicare Australia post.
For the same reasons you should get health insurance in Australia
Australian residents are proactively encouraged to take out Private Health Cover (Health Insurance) to complement Medicare services, including the 30% Health Insurance Rebate from the Australian Government.
Health insurance costs approximately $2,000 per year depending on your circumstances (single, couple, family or single parent) and the level of coverage you select.
To allow for 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 gives you facts that are not biased or trying to sell you anything! It gives you comprehensive, independent private health insurance information.
icon for more information.Start comparing policies here.
| Singles Families | ≤$90,000 ≤$180,000 | $90,001-105,000 $180,001-210,000 | $105,001-140,000 $210,001-280,000 | ≥$140,001 ≥$280,001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Tier | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | |
| < age 65 | 24.608% | 16.405% | 8.202% | 0% |
| Age 65-69 | 28.710% | 20.507% | 12.303% | 0% |
| Age 70+ | 32.812% | 24.608% | 16.405% | 0% |
Single parents and couples (including de facto couples) are subject to family tiers. For families with children, the income thresholds are increased by $1,500 for each child after the first.
*The income thresholds are indexed and will remain the same until 30 June 2023.
You can use the table above or the Private Health Insurance Rebate Calculator on the ATO website, or you can call the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on 132 861.
If you are eligible for the rebate, there are two ways you can claim it:
If you choose to receive your rebate through your insurer, you will be asked to nominate the income tier you expect to fall into. You can nominate your tier by contacting your insurer or by filling out the Medicare rebate claim form.
For further information about claiming the rebate please visit the ATO’s website: Private Health Insurance Rebate.
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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. Please note, if the answer to your question is in the content above, I will not reply. Sorry, I just get too many questions these days and I can’t keep up.
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 15 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!
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Julie
September 10, 2022 at 7:24 pmHi JJ.
As NZ citizens now permanently living in Aus, after we purchase Health Insurance are we entitled to the 30% Private Health Insurance rebate scheme?
Cheers.
JJ Smith
September 12, 2022 at 11:52 amHi Julie,
Thanks for your comment.
Sorry I should have information on the rebate on my private health insurance post. I will add it now.
To claim the private health insurance rebate, regardless of your residency status in Australia, you must:
– have a Complying health insurance policy with an Australian-registered health insurer (https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-health-insurance/Private-health-insurance-rebate/Private-health-insurance-rebate-eligibility/#Complyinghealthinsurancepolicy)
– be eligible for Medicare, which you are as an NZ citizen on an SCV
– be a Private health insurance incentive beneficiary (https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-health-insurance/Private-health-insurance-rebate/Private-health-insurance-rebate-eligibility/#Privatehealthinsuranceincentivebeneficia)
– have an income for surcharge purposes that is less than the Tier 3 income threshold (https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-health-insurance/Private-health-insurance-rebate/Private-health-insurance-rebate-eligibility/#IncomeforsurchargepurposeslessthanTier3).
The private health insurance rebate is income tested.
The rebate applies to hospital, general treatment and ambulance policies. It does not apply to overseas visitors health cover. The rebate levels applicable from 1 April 2021* can be found here: https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/health_insurance/surcharges_incentives/insurance_rebate.htm.
There are two ways to claim your rebate:
– as a premium reduction through your private health insurer (you pay less upfront to your insurer). If you want to claim your rebate as a reduced premium, contact your insurer; or
– as a tax offset when lodging your annual tax return. For more information about claiming your rebate as a tax offset, visit the Australian Taxation Office or call 132 861.
If you choose to receive your rebate through your insurer, you will be asked to nominate the income tier you expect to fall into. You can nominate your tier by contacting your insurer or by filling out the Medicare rebate claim form.
For further information about claiming the rebate please visit the ATO’s website: Private Health Insurance Rebate (https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-health-insurance/Private-health-insurance-rebate/).
I hope the above helps.
Jazz
July 16, 2022 at 8:13 amHi JJ
Can a NZ permanent resident with serious health condition be able to access Medicare and/or private Healthcare in Australia? Also will they be entitled to the benefit payment as they are currently getting in NZ. Thanks.
JJ Smith
July 17, 2022 at 6:38 pmHi Jazz,
Thanks for your comment.
However, I’m not an immigration specialist. I don’t know what NZ Permanent Residents are eligible for in Australia, because they don’t get the SCV. The visa New Zealand citizens move to Australia with (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-visa/).
Good luck finding out what visa you are eligible for and what you’re entitled to.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Thanks
Sarah
May 25, 2021 at 8:25 pmIf you are an NZ citizen with a health condition can you access Medicare as soon as you move to Australia? Thanks
JJ Smith
May 30, 2021 at 11:23 pmHi Sarah,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes NZ citizen’s on an SCV are able to access Medicare as soon as you arrive in Australia.
You will need to apply in person in a Medicare Office. Please remember to take your passport.
You get a Medicare card when you enrol in Medicare. They’ll usually tell you your Medicare number straight away and send your card in 3 to 4 weeks. They’ll send it to the address you give them. You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card as soon as you enrol.
More info: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Claire Williams
March 9, 2021 at 4:53 amCan you transfer NZ Southern Cross medical insurance to Australia?
JJ Smith
March 14, 2021 at 10:03 pmHi Claire,
Thank you for your comment.
As there is no Southern Cross in Australia, you can not transfer your cover over. They do offer to put your policy on hold, which could be beneficial while your settling in, just incase you change your mind and want to move home. Your policy can be suspended for up to 5 years (60 months) in total: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/for-members/managing-your-policy/going-overseas.
You will need to find new private health insurance in Australia. Product review is Australia’s largest opinion site and here is the reviews for health insurance providers: https://www.productreview.com.au/c/health-insurance.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.