Citizens of certain countries have reciprocal healthcare arrangements in Australia, meaning travellers are eligible for Australia’s universal healthcare system (Medicare).
These countries align with many of those eligible for 417 Working Holiday visas.
They include:
Each country has specific arrangements, which you can view via the Services Australia website.
The reciprocal agreements generally cover:
Read more about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
To enrol, you need to visit a Services Australia service centre after you arrive down-under. You must take a completed Medicare enrolment form and the documents you need to show them.
Ultimately in order to obtain the reciprocal healthcare cover, you’ll need to attend a Services Australia service centre once you arrive and show your passport, evidence of your current visa, and either:
Your cover starts the day you arrive in Australia. It ends when the first of these expires:
The reciprocal health care agreements are not a substitute for travel insurance. You still need a travel insurance policy (which Work In Australia can help you with).
For example, evacuations aren’t covered by any of the reciprocal health care agreements. You must ensure your policy covers you for medical evacuations. These often cost thousands of dollars. Without appropriate insurance, you risk being stuck with a large bill.
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