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Australian Health Care System

Australian Health Care System

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Medicare Australia, health insurance, to-do list… what you need to know about the Australian health care system.

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.

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Medicare Australia

Medicare Australia

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

How you apply for medicare Australia, what are you entitled to, what are the costs of healthcare, medicines through PBS, and more?

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).

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.

As an NZ Citizen, you are eligible for Medicare Australia. However, you need to either live in Australia for 6 months or provide proof that you’ll be living there for the next 6 months.

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Medicine in Australia

Costs of medication and operations in Australia

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Are you moving to Australia and want to know if your medication or needed operation is subsidised by the Australian Government? Find out how much things cost in Australia.

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.

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Australian age pension

Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders (2026 Guide)

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Can New Zealanders get the Australian Age Pension?

Yes — New Zealanders living in Australia may be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, but the rules are slightly different from the NZ pension and those for Australian citizens.

Eligibility depends on:

  • your age
  • how long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand
  • your income
  • your assets

Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement, which allows periods of residence in both countries to be counted when assessing eligibility.

Because of this agreement, many New Zealanders who move to Australia later in life can qualify for an Australian pension, even if they haven’t lived in Australia for their entire working life.

However, there are a few important rules and deadlines, especially if you are already receiving NZ Superannuation when you move.

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Having a baby in Australia

Having a baby in Australia

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Do New Zealanders get free maternity care in Australia? Do we get free midwifery and childbirth services in Australia? Do we receive Parental Leave Pay?

The cost of having a baby will vary depending on whether you give birth in the public or private system. In Australia, pregnancy care in a public hospital or birth centre is free because it is covered by Medicare, which covers New Zealanders on an SCV, Australian citizens, and some visitors to Australia.

We are eligible for Parental Leave Pay as New Zealand citizens living in Australia on an SCV and don’t have to wait the two-year wait period for newly arrived residents. However, you do need to meet the income and work tests. Read more below.

In Australia, you receive antenatal care from your GP, midwife, or obstetrician, and you will have very similar options for your child’s birth as in New Zealand.

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Private Health Insurance

Private Health Insurance

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Do you need it, how much does it cost and where to compare policies…

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’ healthcare needs. However, Medicare does not cover everything, and you can choose to take out private health insurance to get a wider range of healthcare options and more comprehensive coverage.

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