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It must be:
- medically necessary care that can’t wait till you get home
- within 12 months after you arrive.
Adults will need to pay a small fee for each service.
What’s covered
It covers:
- care from a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) GP
- care in an NIS hospital
- care in as an out-patient in an NIS hospital
- specialist care if you have a referral from an NIS GP
- ambulance travel
- emergency dental care
- other medical care if an NIS GP prescribes it
- prescription medicine - you’ll pay full price until you spend about $347 in 1 year; it’s free after that - you may need to show proof that you’ve spent over the limit
- free health care for children up to the age of 12 - this includes physiotherapy
- free visits to a doctor for children up to the age of 16
- free prescription medicines for children up to the age of 16
- free psychological care for children up to the age of 18
- birth care
- oxygen therapy
- dialysis.
Your travel insurance may cover these and other extra costs.
What's not covered
The agreement doesn’t cover students and diplomats.
What to do
Be ready to:
- show your passport and Medicare card
- give your Australian address.
Keep all your receipts for medicines.
Read how to prove you’re eligible.
Find out more
Contact an office of the NIS.