Australia · Healthcare
How the Australia healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Australia's public scheme, Medicare, covers citizens, permanent residents and people from the eleven countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. Most other temporary residents need private cover, and international students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover. Medicare does not cover everything — most dental, ambulance and private-hospital care sit outside it — and higher earners without private hospital cover may pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
Australia's public health scheme, Medicare (run by Services Australia), covers citizens, permanent residents and people from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). Other temporary residents — including most students — generally need private cover (students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover, OSHC). Many people also take private health insurance for extras and shorter waits.
- Medicare covers citizens, permanent residents and people from RHCA countries (11 countries) for medically-necessary care.
- Most temporary residents need private health cover; international students must hold OSHC.
- Medicare does not cover everything (e.g. most dental, ambulance, private-hospital care).
- Private health insurance is common for extras cover and to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge for higher earners.
- 1
Check whether Medicare covers you
Medicare covers citizens, permanent residents and people from the eleven Reciprocal Health Care Agreement countries. Check the RHCA list before assuming you are outside the system.
- 2
Arrange OSHC if you are a student
International students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover. It is a visa condition, not an optional extra, and must cover the duration of your stay.
- 3
Get private cover as a temporary resident
Most temporary residents outside the RHCA arrangements need private health cover. Arrange it before arrival rather than after, since gaps are expensive.
- 4
Know what Medicare leaves out
Medicare does not cover everything — most dental, ambulance and private-hospital care sit outside it. Many residents take extras cover for exactly these.
- 5
Weigh the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you earn well
Higher earners without private hospital cover may pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge. For some people the surcharge makes private cover close to cost-neutral — worth running the numbers.
- Medicare eligibility checked, including the RHCA list
- OSHC arranged for the whole stay if a student
- Private cover arranged if a temporary resident
- Medicare card applied for if eligible
- Gaps (dental, ambulance, private hospital) understood
- Extras cover considered for the gaps
- Medicare Levy Surcharge position calculated if a higher earner
- Medicare (Services Australia)
Official public health scheme information.
- Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (Services Australia)
Whether your country has a Medicare agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is covered by Medicare in Australia?
Citizens, permanent residents and people from the eleven countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. Check the RHCA list before assuming you fall outside — some visitors are covered for medically-necessary care through it.
Is OSHC optional for international students?
No. International students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover, and it must cover the duration of the stay. It is a visa condition rather than a recommended extra.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
A charge that higher earners without private hospital cover may pay. Because it applies to income above a threshold, some people find private cover close to cost-neutral once the surcharge is taken into account — worth running the numbers rather than assuming private cover is purely an extra expense.
Government portals
- Australian Government — Australian Government's official entry point — quick access to all department services
- Dept of Home Affairs — Student/work visas, skilled migration (189/190/491 subclasses), and citizenship applications
- Australian Tax Office (ATO) — TFN application, tax refunds, GST, superannuation, and personal income tax lodgment