Cover for overseas visitors

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Overseas visitors on temporary visas are not eligible for Medicare benefits, unless they are from a country with which Australia has a 'Reciprocal Health Care Agreement'.

Currently, Australia has agreements with United Kingdom, Malta, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Ireland. If you are visiting Australia from these countries, you are generally covered for emergency treatment only, in a public hospital, free of charge. If you are not sure if you are eligible, you should check with your local Medicare office.

A number of private health insurers provide health cover for overseas visitors. Some provide similar products to those available to Australian residents, while others have special products for overseas visitors.

The Federal Government Rebate is not applicable for overseas visitors health cover, and such policies do not count towards Lifetime Health Cover.

More information

The Department of Health and Ageing website provides a list of health insurers offering overseas visitor cover, details on Reciprocal Health Care Agreements and whether Medicare covers you as a visitor to Australia.