Australia’s social security scheme is called MEDICARE. You are entitled to it if you are an Australian national, have been an Australian resident for more than two years, or come from a country that has signed a reciprocal agreement (New Zealand, United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands). In addition to taxation, it is funded by a 1.5% levy taken from wages by the government.

If you are covered by MEDICARE, you can be treated by an approved doctor in public hospitals and by GPs and specialists. Dental costs, medicines and alternative medicine, however, are barely reimbursed. Consultations and care in private hospitals are reimbursed only up to 75%.

To be able to choose your practitioner and your hospital, taking out supplementary insurance is recommended. If you are an expat in Australia, first-euro international Australia insurance is therefore strongly advised, to avoid the sometimes very heavy costs of the expensive Australian healthcare system.

Australia is also a very popular destination for Working Holiday Visa holders (PVT / WHV), who can spend up to a year there and are entitled to work. In that case, you can benefit from quality health cover at a controlled cost with our Working Holiday health insurance.