Medicare Eligibility for Temporary Visa Holders in Australia
Australia's Medicare system provides essential healthcare services to eligible residents and certain temporary visa holders. Understanding your eligibility and obligations is crucial, especially if you're on a temporary visa.
Who Can Enrol in Medicare?
You may be eligible to enrol in Medicare if you:
Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Are a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia.
Hold a temporary visa covered by a Ministerial Order.
Are from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia.
If You’re a Temporary Resident Covered by a Ministerial Order
To access Medicare while in Australia, you must meet certain criteria. You may be able to enrol in Medicare if you hold a valid temporary visa covered by one of the following Ministerial Orders:
Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173, 143, 884, 864)
De facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents
Fulbright scholars
Persons from Afghanistan who hold a Humanitarian Stay (temporary) visa (subclass 449)
Participants in the family accompaniment pilot under the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme (subclass 403)
Removal Pending Bridging visa (subclass 070)
Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional visa (subclass 494)
Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa (subclass 491)
Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program
Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786)
Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
Unauthorised maritime arrivals holding a Bridging E (Class WE) visa
If You’ve Applied for Permanent Residency
You can enrol in Medicare if you live in Australia and have applied for either a permanent:
Residency visa, except for a parent visa
Protection visa
You must also have either a:
Visa allowing you to work
Parent, spouse or child who is an Australian citizen
Parent, spouse or child who is a permanent resident
Parent, spouse or child who is a New Zealand citizen living in Australia
This includes if you’ve applied for a combined spouse visa 309/100 or 820/801.
You can enrol in Medicare from either:
The date you applied for permanent residency
The date you arrived here to live if you applied outside Australia
The date you apply for permanent residency may be different to the date you got your temporary 309 or 820 visa.
You don’t need to visit a service centre. You can mail or email your Medicare enrolment form and supporting documents to Medicare Enrolment Services.
How to Enrol in Medicare
You can enrol in Medicare either:
Online through myGov
By completing a Medicare enrolment form
Enrolling Online
Some individuals and families can enrol online through myGov and track the application progress. To enrol online, you and your family members must:
Live in Australia
Have a current passport or ImmiCard
Have valid visa details from the Department of Home Affairs if you're not an Australian citizen
To enrol as a family, you must provide identity documents for children under 15. For individuals aged 15 or older, they will need your myGov online application number to submit their details and identity documents through their own myGov account.
Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA)
Australia has RHCAs with 11 countries, allowing their citizens to access medically necessary care while visiting. These countries include:
Belgium
Finland
Italy
Malta
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Republic of Ireland
Slovenia
Sweden
United Kingdom
Visitors from these countries can enrol in Medicare for the duration of their stay. However, RHCA does not cover private hospital treatments or services not deemed medically necessary.
Medicare and Visa Health Insurance Conditions
Some visa holders are required to maintain adequate health insurance as a visa condition. Holding Medicare can satisfy this requirement, eliminating the need for private insurance. Always verify the specific conditions attached to your visa subclass.
Medicare Levy Exemption for Temporary Residents
If you're a temporary resident not entitled to Medicare benefits, you may be eligible for a Medicare Levy Exemption (MLE). To claim this exemption:
Obtain a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from Services Australia.
Ensure all dependants, including your spouse, are also not entitled to Medicare benefits.
Apply via:
The Individual Healthcare Identifiers service through myGov
The MES online application on the Services Australia website
Applications open 1 July and take at least 8 weeks to process. Wait to receive your MES before lodging your tax return.
FAQs
Q: Can I enrol in Medicare if I'm on a temporary visa?
A: Yes, if your visa is covered by a Ministerial Order or you're from a country with an RHCA.
Q: Does holding Medicare satisfy my visa's health insurance requirement?
A: In many cases, yes. Holding Medicare can fulfill this requirement.
Q: How do I apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES)?
A: You can apply through the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service via myGov or on the Services Australia website.
Q: How long does it take to receive an MES?
A: At least 8 weeks. Apply as early as possible after 1 July.
Useful Links
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Note: The information provided in this article is meant for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Although we strive to provide accurate and useful information, the nuances of Australian immigration law demand personalised advice from legal professionals. Given the dynamic nature of migration regulations, it is essential to consult with experienced immigration experts for up-to-date insights tailored to your individual circumstances. We strongly advise seeking professional guidance to navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law effectively and to achieve the most favorable outcomes for your immigration journey.
