Australia has a public health system funded by a 1.5% Income Tax; however, the Government actively encourages people to have private health insurance, and it is a requirement of your working visa.
Eleven countries (the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden) have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. Visitors from these countries are eligible for Medicare assistance for only necessary medical treatment. Visitors from other countries need to arrange their own Australian private health insurance.
For more information on Australia’s private health insurance, go to:
Most temporary Visa holders are not eligible to enrol in Medicare. To find out if you are eligible, you should contact Medicare with your passport and visa documents. If you are eligible, you will be provided with a Medicare card.
Who Qualifies for Medicare?
Eligibility for public healthcare coverage in Australia is limited to the following groups:
- Australian citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- People in Australia holding specific regional work visas
Conditions for Expats and Visitors
Not every expat and visitor to Australia can get access to Medicare. Expats in Australia who have a work visa and no permanent residency do not enjoy coverage under the public healthcare system.
Steps to Apply for Medicare
Applying for Australian Medicare is a hassle-free process. Here are the steps you must follow:
- First, check your Medicare eligibility by visiting the official Australian Medicare.
- If you are eligible, you can apply immediately. The user-friendly and easy-to-navigate website outlines all the documents you must have and the steps you must follow.
- Gather the necessary documents and visit a government service centre.
- Submit the documentation along with a completed Medicare enrolment form.
If everything is in place, you will receive a Medicare number immediately. You will also receive a physical Medicare card within a few weeks.
Sign into the Express Plus Medicare app if you want a digital card copy. You also need to link your myGov account to your Medicare online account to use the app. If you don’t have these accounts, create them and then download the app to access your digital Medicare card.
Private Health Insurance
Many Australians have private health insurance, covering the costs of private treatment and some services that Medicare does not cover, such as dental and optical services.
The Australian Government has put in place financial incentives to take out private health insurance, including a 30% rebate on the insurance premiums and an additional 1% tax levy on high-income earners who don’t take out insurance.
As an additional incentive, the Government introduced the Lifetime Health Cover scheme. Persons taking out hospital cover after their 31st birthday will pay 2% more for their cover for each year after their 31st birthday.
Special conditions now apply for migrants – migrants do not pay an increased cost if they purchase their hospital cover before their first anniversary of becoming eligible for Medicare.
Best Health Insurance for Expats in Australia
View how we compare various options readily available for Australian expats. We cover options which are possible prior to landing in Australia, and are inclusive of temporary visas.
| Provider | Coverage Area | Annual Limit | Monthly Premium (approx.) | Special Features | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa Global | Worldwide (Excl. U.S. optional) | $1,900,000 – $5,700,000 | $480 – $960 | Direct access to specialists, mental health cover, pre-existing conditions covered | No residency required |
| Allianz Care | Worldwide | $1,600,000 – $4,800,000 | $400 – $900 | Chronic condition management, maternity cover, emergency evacuation | No residency required |
| Medibank Private | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $150 – $350 | Includes dental, optical, and physiotherapy, flexible extras | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| HBF | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $130 – $300 | Customizable cover, telehealth services | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| NIB | Worldwide | $1,700,000 – $3,400,000 | $250 – $550 | Mental health and well-being programs, digital health tools | No residency required |
| Cigna Global | Worldwide | $1,500,000 – $3,000,000 | $420 – $960 | 24/7 support, tailored expat packages, outpatient care | No residency required |
| AXA PPP | Worldwide | $1,900,000 – $4,800,000 | $380 – $850 | Evacuation and repatriation, direct billing with hospitals | No residency required |
| Australian Unity | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $140 – $320 | Local services, wellness programs, health management tools | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| Bupa Australia | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $160 – $380 | Large healthcare network, includes optical and dental | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| HCF (Hospital Contributions Fund) | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $150 – $360 | No-gap services, wellness program discounts, telehealth | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| Frank Health Insurance | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $120 – $300 | Low-cost options, customizable coverage, dental and physiotherapy | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| GMHBA | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $130 – $340 | Flexible extras, young families and individuals focus | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| CBHS Health Fund | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $140 – $360 | Member-owned, broad coverage, dental and optical included | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
| Doctors’ Health Fund | Australia Only | Varies by plan | $180 – $400 | Tailored for healthcare professionals, top hospital cover included | Resident (temporary or permanent) |
Best Health Insurance by Customer Satisfaction
| Provider | Average Satisfaction | Number of Reviews | Review Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa Global | 1.4/5 | 1,209 reviews | ProductReview |
| Medibank Private | 1.4/5 | 1,057 reviews | ProductReview |
| HBF | 2.8/5 | 384 reviews | ProductReview |
| NIB | 2.0/5 | 540 reviews | ProductReview |
| Allianz Care | 3.6/5 | 87 reviews | Trustpilot |
| HCF | 2.4/5 | 314 reviews | ProductReview |
| Cigna Global | 3.8/5 | 214 reviews | Trustpilot |
| Frank Health Insurance | 4.0/5 | 96 reviews | ProductReview |
| GMHBA | 3.2/5 | 154 reviews | ProductReview |
| CBHS Health Fund | 4.1/5 | 68 reviews | ProductReview |
| Doctors’ Health Fund | 4.0/5 | 43 reviews | ProductReview |
Benefits of Private Medical Cover
Benefits of private medical coverage include avoiding the Lifetime Health Cover charge and the Medicare Levy Surcharge, shorter waiting times, and comfort and peace of mind.
As of December 2021, more than 14 million people in Australia have general treatment cover, and over 11.5 million have hospital treatment cover. The average cost of private medical cover for an individual in Australia is AUD$157 per month.
The Australian Government provides a rebate at the end of each tax year to help with the cost of private medical cover.
Pregnancy in Australia
Australia, in 2007 began a $15 million Federal Government funded, 24-hour pregnancy helpline. It is designed to provide pregnancy advice to women, and counsellors can advise anyone wanting to get pregnant. The helpline will be a great benefit for women who feel that they are facing their pregnancy alone.
Short Key Points About Australian Private Health Insurance:
- Enables private patient hospital treatment.
- Can cover healthcare costs not covered by Medicare, such as physiotherapy.
- Regular premium payments are required.
- Offers more health coverage and choice, including quicker access to some services.
- Can help avoid Medicare levy surcharge, potentially reducing taxes.
Provides eligibility for a government rebate based on income and coverage criteria. - Encourages taking out hospital cover before turning 31 through Lifetime Health Cover to avoid higher premiums.
- Offers the same price for everyone for a specific policy and guarantees renewal rights.
- Temporary visa holders should consider it for medical treatment costs coverage.
- Can cover some in-hospital services, doctor and specialist services outside of hospitals, prescription medicines, prostheses, and ambulance costs.
