Reciprocal Health Care Agreements for overseas visitors
Visiting Australia? Australia's Reciprocal Health Care Agreements could save you money on emergency medical treatments.
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with 11 countries. These agreements grant eligible visitors partial coverage through Australia's Medicare system, offering free or reduced-cost health services. While RHCA ensures access to certain Medicare services, it's important to note that it doesn't cover all health needs.
To find out more, visit the Services Australia page.
Which countries does Australia have an agreement with?
Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with the 11 countries listed below. Click on your country to learn more about eligibility criteria and how to apply.
What does the RHCA cover when I visit Australia?
The RHCA provides access to the public health system for immediate, medically necessary treatments. It may also cover some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the standard rate.
The RHCA has specific limitations and usually doesn't include non-urgent medical treatments or private hospital services. If your specific reason for coming to Australia is medical treatment, you won't be covered under the RHCA. Services like ambulance assistance, dental care, medical evacuation to your home country, and elective treatments are not covered by RHCAs.
RHCAs are not designed to replace private travel health insurance or more comprehensive health covers tailored for overseas students and workers.
Who is eligible for this scheme?
If you're visiting Australia from one of the 11 RHCA countries, you may be eligible to use the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). Eligibility requirements depend on the country you're visiting from and you’ll need to enrol in Medicare (except New Zealand). Visit Services Australia for more information.
Visitors from Belgium
To be eligible for the RHCA you must have lived in Belgium before arriving in Australia and be insured in the Belgian health system.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll be required to show your passport, evidence of your current visa and either your valid Belgian Health Insurance Card or your valid European Health Insurance Card with the initials ‘BE’.
How long will I be covered for?
Your coverage will start as soon as you arrive and ends when either your visa or health insurance card expires.
Visitors from Finland
To be eligible for the RHCA, you must have been living in Finland before arriving in Australia. Visitors on a student visa are not eligible.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll need to show both your Finnish passport and evidence of your current visa to enrol in Medicare. In some cases, you may have to show documentation that proves you live in Finland.
How long will I be covered for?
Coverage starts upon your arrival in Australia and ends when either your Finnish health insurance or visa expires.
Visitors from Italy
If you’re travelling from Italy, you must be an Italian citizen and eligible for Italy’s national health insurance to qualify for cover under the RHCA.
What documentation do I need?
Visitors from Italy will need to show their Italian passport, current visa evidence, and either a valid European Health Insurance Card with initials ‘IT’ or an Italian Health Insurance Card.
How long will I be covered for?
You’ll be covered for six months from the date you arrive in Australia, or until the expiration of the European Health Insurance Card, Italian health insurance, or visa.
Visitors from Malta
For visitors from Malta, eligibility for RHCA requires Maltese citizenship and residence in Malta before arriving in Australia. Visitors on a student visa are not eligible.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll need to supply copies of your Maltese passport, Maltese identity card, or proof of dependency on someone else's Maltese passport or identity card. Additionally, you may need to provide evidence of your residence in Malta.
How long will I be covered for?
Coverage starts upon arrival in Australia and ends after 6 months unless the visa expires earlier.
Visitors to the Netherlands
Visitors from the Netherlands are eligible to access treatment under the RHCA if they are enrolled in the Netherlands Insurance Scheme. This is applicable to both citizens and non-citizens of the Netherlands.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll need to show a copy of your passport, evidence of your current visa, and either proof of valid insurance in the Netherlands Health Insurance Scheme or your European Health Insurance Card with the initials ‘NL’.
How long will I be covered for?
Your cover starts the day you arrive in Australia and ends when either your Netherlands health insurance, your visa or European Health Insurance Card expires.
Visitors from New Zealand
Eligibility for treatment under RHCA is open to New Zealand citizens or temporarily visiting Australia. You may be eligible to enrol in Medicare as a New Zealand citizen if you’re staying in Australia for longer than 6 months.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll need to ask staff at a public hospital or pharmacy to treat you under the RHCA and present your New Zealand passport.
How long can I get cover for?
Your cover begins upon arrival in Australia and ends on the day of departure.
Visitors from Norway
Visiting from Norway? You might be eligible to get cover under the RHCA if you’ve been living in Norway before arriving in Australia and are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. Visitors on a student visa and diplomats are not eligible.
What documentation do I need?
You’ll need to show your passport, evidence of your current visa, you’ll need to provide either proof you have valid insurance in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme or a valid European Health Insurance Card with the initials ‘NO’.
How long can I get covered for?
You cover under the RHCA starts from the day you arrive in Australia and ends when either your visa or health insurance expires.
Visitors from Republic of Ireland
If you’re a resident of Ireland and have been living in Irelands for at least six months before arriving in Australia, you may be eligible for cover under the RHCA. Visitors on a student visa are not eligible.
What documentation do I need?
Visitors from Ireland will need to show evidence of a valid visa and either your Irish passport or your European Health Insurance Card with the initials ‘IE’. Additionally, you may need to show evidence of your residence in Ireland.
How long can I get cover for?
You’re covered from the day you touch down in Australia to the day your visa expires.
Visitors from Slovenia
To be eligible for the RHCA, you must have been living in Slovenia before visiting Australia and insured by the Slovenian health system to be eligible.
What documentation do I need?
To qualify you’ll need to provide copies of your passport, current visa and proof of a valid European Health Insurance Card with the initials SI or a valid Slovenian Health Insurance Card.
How long can I get cover for?
You’ll be covered from the day you arrive in Australia until either your visa or Slovenian health insurance expires.
Visitors from Sweden
If you have been living in Sweden before arriving in Australia you may be eligible for treatment under the RHCA during your stay in Australia.
What documentation do I need?
Proof of your current visa, residence in Sweden and your passport is required to qualify for the RHCA.
How long can I get cover for?
Your cover under the RHCA starts when you arrive in Australia and ends when either your visa or Swedish health insurance expires.
Visitors from the United Kingdom
Hopping across the pond? You’re eligible to receive cover under the RHCA if you’ve been living in the UK before your trip to Australia.
What documentation do I need?
A copy of your current visa, British or non-British passport and evidence of UK residency (like utility bills or a lease agreement) are required to access the RHCA.
How long can I get cover for?
Your cover starts the day you arrive on Australian soil and ends when either your visa or British health insurance expires.
How do I use the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement while I am in Australia?
For most visitors, you’ll need to enrol in Medicare, but the rules may change based on where you're from. You'll need to provide supporting documents like visa copies, your passport, or health insurance details with your enrolment application, but remember to check the specific requirements for your country. When you're ready, you can download the Medicare enrolment form from the Services Australia website. If you need immediate medical treatment before enrolling, Medicare benefits can be backdated for eligible visitors.
When you do need care, simply inform the staff at a public hospital or pharmacy that you wish to be treated under the RHCA.
What if I'm not covered the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement?
If you're arriving in Australia from a country not covered by the RHCA, or if you don't meet the eligibility criteria, you may be responsible for covering your own medical expenses, which can be costly. Contact us to explore private health insurance options that meets your visa requirements.
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