Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

For international students or working visa employees in Australia, if you fall ill or have an accident, you may have to directly pay the full cost of your treatment. The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman advises that a public hospital admission for an uninsured patient can cost over $1000 per day for the accommodation alone. Added to that will be the cost of medical fees and pharmaceuticals.

This is why international visitors to Australia are strongly advised to buy a health or travel insurance policy before they arrive unless their country has a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Australia. Both travel insurance and Overseas Visitors’ Health Cover (OVHC) can assist with the cost of medical treatment in Australia.

Compare Travel Insurance

What is a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement?

Travellers from some countries may be covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia if they are on a tourist visa or working visa. The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement means they can apply for benefits to cover the cost of immediate necessary medical treatment in the public health system.

Who does Australia have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with?

There are 11 countries that have formed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements:

1. Belgium
2. Finland
3. Italy
4. Malta
5. Netherlands
6. New Zealand
7. Norway
8. Republic of Ireland
9. Slovenia
10. Sweden
11. United Kingdom

Here is a rundown of the countries that currently have a reciprocal agreement and the entitlements:

Belgium

Visitors from Belgium are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

Belgians need a current visa and a valid Belgian or non-Belgian passport, plus either their Belgian Health Insurance Card or their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials BE to enrol in Medicare. They are eligible for the above health cover until the expiry date shown on their visa, their EHIC, or their Belgian Health Insurance Card; whichever is earlier.

Finland

Visitors from Finland are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

Finnish citizens will need a valid Finnish passport and current visa to enrol in Medicare. Non-Finnish citizens will need to supply a valid Sickness Insurance Card from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution, a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials FI and two documents (with dates) proving they live in Finland, such a work contract, rental or lease agreement or bond receipt, bank statement evidence of child enrolled in childcare or school, property or contents insurance, or a gas, electricity, water or rates account.

Finns are covered by the reciprocal agreement for the length of their stay in Australia until the expiry date on their visa. Non-Finnish citizens are covered until their Finnish health insurance, EHIC, or visa expires.

Italy

Visitors from Italy are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

Italians will need a valid Italian passport and current visa to enrol in Medicare, plus either a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials IT, or an Italian Health Insurance Card valid on date of arrival into Australia. They’ll be covered by Medicare for a period of six months from the date of their arrival in Australia, or until the expiry of their visa, whichever is earlier.

Malta

Visitors from Malta are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

Maltese visitors will need a current visa and either a Maltese passport, Maltese identity card or proof that they’re a dependent on someone else’s Maltese passport or identity card to enrol in Medicare. They may also need to provide at least two documents proving they live in Malta, such as work contract, rental or lease agreement or bond receipt, bank statement evidence of a child enrolled in childcare or school, property or contents insurance, or a gas, electricity, water or rates account.

Visitors from Malta will be covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of their arrival in Australia, or until their visa expires; whichever is earlier.

The Netherlands

Visitors from the Netherlands are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

To enrol in Medicare, visitors from the Netherlands need a current visa and Dutch (or non-Dutch) passport, plus either a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials NL or evidence of valid insurance with the Netherlands Health Insurance Scheme.

Dutch visitors are eligible for the above health cover until the expiry date of their visa, their EHIC, or their Netherlands health insurance; whichever is earlier.

New Zealand

Visitors from New Zealand are entitled to:

• medically necessary care as a public patient including public hospital inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.
• Medicare benefits for out of hospital services are not covered under the agreement.

To receive treatment, New Zealanders will need a valid New Zealand passport to show they’re a New Zealand citizen or resident. New Zealanders are covered for the length of their stay in Australia, from the day they arrive to the day they leave.

Norway

Visitors from Norway are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

Norwegians need a valid Norwegian passport, evidence of a current visa, and evidence of valid insurance with the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials NO. They are covered for the length of their stay in Australia until the expiry date on their visa, Norwegian health insurance, or their EHIC.

The Republic of Ireland

Visitors from the Republic of Ireland are entitled to:

• medically necessary care as a public patient including public hospital inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.
• Medicare benefits for out of hospital services are not covered under the agreement.

Irish visitors will need to be a resident in Ireland for more than 6 months before visiting Australia, and they will need a valid Irish passport or a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials IE. They may also need to provide at least two documents proving they live in Ireland, such as a work contract, rental or lease agreement or bond receipt, bank statement evidence of a child enrolled in childcare or school, property or contents insurance, or a gas, electricity, water or rates account.

Irish visitors are covered for the length of their stay in Australia until the expiry date on their visa.

Slovenia

Visitors from Slovenia are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

To enrol in Medicare, visitors will need a valid Slovenian or non-Slovenian passport, and either a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials SI or a valid Slovenian Health Insurance Card. Slovenian visitors are eligible for the above cover until the expiry date on their visa, EHIC, or Slovenian Health Insurance Card; whichever is earlier.

Sweden

Visitors from Sweden are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

To enrol in Medicare, Swedish citizens need a valid Swedish passport and visa. If you weren’t living in Sweden before arriving in Australia, you’ll also need two documents proving you usually live in Sweden, such as a work contract, rental or lease agreement or bond receipt, bank statement evidence of child enrolled in childcare or school, property or contents insurance, or a gas, electricity, water or rates account.

Non-citizens  will need to provide a passport, visa and either:

• A Health Insurance Certificate issued by a Swedish Social Insurance office
• A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials SE
• 2 residency documents

Coverage for Swedish citizens is for the length of their stay in Australia until the expiry date on their visa. Non-citizens are covered until the expiry of their Swedish health insurance, EHIC or visa, whichever comes first.

United Kingdom

Visitors from the UK are entitled to:

• medically necessary care out of hospital
• medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital including inpatient and outpatient services
• some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate.

As a British visitor, to enrol in Medicare you’ll need to show a current visa and a British or non-British passport. You’ll also need to provide evidence that you are a resident of the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man by showing:

• your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials UK
• your National Health Insurance card if you’re from the Isle of Man
• your Health Service card if you’re from Northern Ireland
• a Health card from the Health and Social Services department of the States of Jersey
• proof of insurance from the Guernsey States Insurance Authority
• other proof that you’re a resident of Guernsey

You may also need to provide two residency documents, such as a work contract, rental or lease agreement or bond receipt, bank statement evidence of a child enrolled in childcare or school, property or contents insurance, or a gas, electricity, water or rates account.

Your Medicare coverage will be for the length of your stay in Australia until the expiry date on their visa.

Please be aware that this information is correct at time of writing, but may be subject to change. You can check the current status of any reciprocal health care agreement that you may be eligible for on the Services Australia website.

Overseas Visitors Health Cover vs Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

If you’re from a country that doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, there is another option available to you: Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). There are two types—Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and Working Visa Health Cover.

Several Australian insurers offer OVHC cover, which is specifically designed to cover foreign residents in Australia. Depending on your policy, this can include cover for:

• Hospital accommodation
• Partial cover for medical fees
• Surgical fees for hospital admissions
• Emergency ambulance and room cost
• Cover for certain prescription pharmaceuticals
• Cover for services such as dental or optical, depending on length and duration of stay

Do I still need OVHC if I’m from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement?

No. Although it’s always recommended that you consider taking out travel insurance when it comes to travelling, there is no requirement for visitors from RHCA countries to take out Overseas Visitors Health Cover.

However, there are several reasons why someone from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement might still choose to buy OVHC insurance as well. OVHC policies can cover items that are not covered by Medicare and therefore are not available to RHCA visitors without health insurance:

• Ambulance transport (varies by state and territory)
• Dental care
• Elective treatment
• Treatment and accommodation in hospital

For these reasons, it is always an option for someone from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement to take out OVHC during their stay in Australia.

Canstar's Overseas Student Health Cover and
Working Visa Health Cover Star Ratings and Awards

Cover image source: Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com