Reciprocal Agreements

Who is eligible for Medicare?

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• Sweden
• Finland
• Norway
• Belgium
• Netherlands

• Italy
• Malta

• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland

Read more at Medicare Australia

Those from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands:

• Receive a Reciprocal Medicare Card for the duration of their stay in Australia, from a Medicare office. Eligibility is determined by Medicare - they must have come directly from their home country to Australia i.e. have been paying tax recently in their home country. (Take proof of your country of citizenship/residence i.e. your passport)
• Receive medically necessary treatment in a public hospital
• Are entitled to claim benefits from Medicare if they obtain a Reciprocal Medicare Card. Please note: some services may not be claimable.
• Receive pharmaceuticals at subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) levels, which is the same cost as Australians pay (by presenting their Reciprocal Medicare Card)
• Cannot seek exemption from the Medicare Levy (1.5%).
• Will be liable to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1% (MLS)

Those from the Malta and Italy:

• Receive a Reciprocal Medicare Card for the first 6 months of their stay in Australia, from a Medicare office. Eligibility is determined by Medicare - they must have come directly from their home country to Australia i.e. have been paying tax recently in their home country. (Take proof of your country of citizenship/residence i.e. your passport)
• Receive medically necessary treatment in a public hospital are entitled to claim benefits from Medicare if they obtain a Reciprocal Medicare Card. Please note: some services may not be claimable.
• Receive pharmaceuticals at subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) levels, which is the same cost as Australians pay (by presenting their Reciprocal Medicare Card)
• Cannot seek exemption from the Medicare Levy (1.5%) for the period they hold a Reciprocal Medicare Card.
• Will be liable to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1% (MLS) for the period they hold a Reciprocal Medicare Card

Those from the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand:

• Do not receive a Reciprocal Medicare Card
• Receive medically necessary treatment in a public hospital (by showing their passport)
• Receive pharmaceuticals at subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) levels, which is the same cost as Australians pay (by showing their passport)
• Can seek exemption from the Medicare Levy (1.5%) by completing the Medicare Levy Exemption form, and lodging this at the end of each tax year, with the Medicare Levy Exemption Unit in Hobart. If the exemption is granted, the refund of the 1.5% Medicare Levy is processed through the annual tax return.
• Will not be liable to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1% (MLS)

Please note: If you are a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia and are not on a temporary resident visa, you may be able to establish permanent residency and therefore be eligible to enrol in Medicare. You need to check your Medicare eligibility before applying for IMAN.