Access To Medicare

Access to Medicare

Medicare eligibility is generally restricted to people living permanently in Australia who are:
•    Australian citizens excluding Norfolk Islanders;
•    permanent residents who have obtained a permanent visa;
•    New Zealand citizens; or
•    Persons with applications for permanent residency under consideration (excluding applicants for parent visas) or other types of visas.
•    Visitors from countries with whom Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

People visiting or living temporarily in Australia generally do not have access to full Medicare and should consider purchasing appropriate health insurance designed for people who have no or limited access to Medicare.  Under some Visas, the purchase of appropriate health insurance will be a requirement.