A reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) gives visitors to Australia access to basic healthcare.
There are only a handful of countries that have an RHCA with Australia.
If your country doesn't have an RHCA with Australia, you'll need Overseas Visitor Health Insurance (OVHC).
What is a reciprocal health care agreement?
Reciprocal health care is an agreement that gives Australians access to medically necessary care when they visit certain countries and, in return, allows visitors to access some of Australia's public health care when they visit Australia.
At the time of writing, the Australian government has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 other countries. They allow eligible people visiting from those countries to access free or reduced-cost health care via Australia's Medicare system.
How does a reciprocal health care agreement work?
A reciprocal health care agreement gives foreign visitors from certain countries the right to access some of Australia's public health services. In return, Australians travelling to any of the 11 countries that the government has an agreement with can also access their public healthcare systems.
For eligible visitors to Australia, it's important to remember that you will have access to the benefits available under Medicare, not your own healthcare system. This means that you will only get access to basic medical services and emergency treatment under certain circumstances.
Medicare is not as wide-ranging as health services in other countries and does not cover you for ambulance, dental work, subsidised medicines or other out of hospital medical care. As a result, many Australians have private health insurance; this is essentially to make up for the gaps in the public healthcare system. If you want the same level of care you are used to back home, you might want to get overseas visitors health cover (OVHC).
Which countries have an RHCA with Australia?
Australia has RHCAs in place with the following countries:
The United Kingdom
The Republic of Ireland
New Zealand
Sweden
The Netherlands
Finland
Belgium
Norway
Slovenia
Malta
Italy
When a citizen of any of the countries above visits Australia, they have access to a range of subsidised healthcare services. Visitors with student visas from Norway, Finland, Malta and the Republic of Ireland who visit Australia are not covered under the RHCA.
Australian citizens can also access cover for the cost of essential medical treatment when they visit any of the 11 countries above.
What treatments are included in RHCAs?
For most agreement countries, visitors are entitled to the following while in Australia:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
The wording does vary slightly based on which country you're coming from. Click the dropdowns below for details on each of the 11 RHCA countries.
Belgian visitors are entitled to the following:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Cover is available until the expiry date on your Belgium or European Health Insurance Card or for the length of your stay in Australia, whichever is earlier.
Finnish visitors are entitled to the following benefits when they arrive in Australia:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Cover is available until the expiry date on your Finnish Health Insurance or visa, whichever is earlier.
If you're visiting Australia from Ireland, you'll be able to enjoy cover under the RHCA for the length of your stay. This entitles you to inpatient and outpatient treatment as a public patient in a public hospital as well as medically necessary prescription medicines under the PBS.
Italian visitors are entitled to the following:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Maltese visitors can enjoy access to the following benefits for up to six months from the date they arrive in Australia:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
If visiting from the Netherlands, you are entitled to the following:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Cover is available until the expiry date on your European Health Insurance Card or for the length of your stay in Australia, whichever is earlier.
Visitors from New Zealand are covered under the RHCA for the length of their stay in Australia. Under the agreement, you are entitled to inpatient and outpatient treatment as a public patient in a public hospital as well as medically necessary prescription medicines under the PBS.
If visiting from Norway, you are entitled to the following:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Slovenians are entitled to the following:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Cover is available until the expiry date on your European Health Insurance Card or for the length of your stay in Australia, whichever is earlier.
Swedish visitors to Australia are entitled to the following cover for the length of their stay:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Visitors from the UK are entitled to the following cover:
Free or reduced-cost treatment as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment and GP visits
Cover is available until the expiry date on your British Health Insurance or visa, whichever is earlier.
What is not included in RHCA?
It's important to know that Medicare doesn't cover all health services. These are some of the healthcare services you will not be covered for:
Treatment in a private hospital or as a private patient
Ambulance
Dental treatment
Extras services, e.g. out-of-hospital care like optical, physio, chiro and more
You will need to pay for these services if you want them, which can cost a lot. Alternatively, you can get health insurance for overseas visitors which can cover all of the above.
Overseas visitors health cover vs reciprocal health care agreement
Foreign visitors to Australia also have another option available to them to ensure they receive the cover they need for medical treatment while in Australia: taking out private health insurance. Several Australian health funds offer what is known as overseas visitors health cover (OVHC), which is health insurance specifically designed to cover foreign residents while they visit Australia.
OVHC is designed to cover a portion of an overseas visitor's healthcare expenses while they are in Australia. This includes cover for the following:
Hospital accommodation and surgical fees for medically necessary hospital admissions
Partial cover for medical fees
Emergency room costs
Emergency ambulance
Cover for some pharmaceuticals
Cover for some extras services, such as dental and optical
Do I need overseas visitors health cover if I am from a country that has an RHCA with Australia?
No, the RHCA meets the eligibility criteria set out in Australian visa applications. Having said that, OVHC is an essential consideration for all visitors to Australia. Because Medicare doesn't take care of all your health needs, you could be left with substantial out-of-pocket medical and hospital expenses if you suffer an illness or injury while in Australia. RHCAs do not cover the following:
Treatment and accommodation in a private hospital or as a private patient in a public hospital
Treatment that is not immediately necessary
It's recommended that you consider OVHC before coming to Australia even if it is not a requirement of your visa. Having private health insurance in place means you can access the health care you need whenever you need it, and that you won't be left with a substantial bill for the cost of treatment.
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I'm an Australian overseas, how does RHCA work for me?
The cover available to Australians travelling overseas varies depending on the RHCA country you visit:
You are covered for the following in Belgium:
Staying in hospital, where you'll pay an admission fee and daily fee
Medical treatment received in a hospital
Care from a GP or specialist doctor (you will pay between 25% and 40% of the cost)
Some dental care (you will pay between 25% and 40% of the cost)
Some allied health services like physio (you will pay between 25% and 40% of the cost)
Some prescription medicines
50% cover for ambulance service
You are covered for the following in Finland:
Medical care
Nursing care
Out-patient care from hospitals
Some dental care
Prescription medicines
Some travel costs to get medical care
You are covered for the following in Italy:
Cover provided for up to six months
Medical treatment, including specialist services at public hospitals and other authorised hospitals and clinics
Treatment as an inpatient in public and authorised hospitals
Immediately necessary public hospital dental treatment
You are covered for the following in Malta:
Cover provided for up to six months
Medical attention at a health centre
Nursing care provided by a public nurse or doctor
Inpatient care (including surgery, medicines, accommodation and meals)
Hospital outpatient consultations provided by government specialists
Ambulance travel to hospital after accidents or emergencies
Immediately necessary dental care in government hospitals
You are covered for the following in the Netherlands:
Hospital care (including specialist care and nursing)
Full or partially refunded prescription medicine
Partially refunded transport (urgent ambulance or taxi)
Paramedics
Childbirth
Out-of-hospital care including GPs, specialists and psychiatrists if you're 18 or over
Australian visitors to New Zealand can access limited subsidised health care for the duration of their stay. Inpatient treatment and accommodation at a public hospital is covered, maternity and some pharmaceuticals, but you will have to pay for all other medical treatment, ambulance and prescription medicine.
You are covered for the following in Norway:
You are entitled to health care under Norway's National Insurance Scheme (NIS)
Medical treatment from an NIS GP or outpatient department
Specialist services when referred by a GP
Hospital inpatient treatment
Ambulance travel
Emergency dental treatment
Ancillary care prescribed by a doctor
Prescription medicine – it's free after you spend around $347 over the course of a year
Free visits to a doctor for children aged up to 16
Services free for children up to the age of 12
Free psychological care up to the age of 18
Birth care, oxygen therapy and dialysis
You are covered for the following in Ireland:
Free public hospital care is provided as well as maternity care and part of the cost of prescription medicines if you spend over a certain amount in a month.
You are covered for the following in Slovenia:
Subsidised medical treatment in the public health system (in hospitals, health centres and pharmacies)
Subsidised treatment by private GPs, specialists, dentists and pharmacies contracted to the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS)
Free ambulance travel when referred by a doctor in an emergency
30% for some prescription medication costs
You are covered for the following in Sweden:
Medical treatment by a doctor or at a hospital outpatient department
Free health services for children
Free maternity services
Cover for the cost of some prescription medicines
You are covered for the following in the United Kingdom:
Medical treatment from doctors
Inpatient treatment (including medicine, nursing care and accommodation in a public ward)
Outpatient treatment
National Health Service (NHS) prescription medicine
Ambulance travel to or from and between NHS hospitals
Frequently asked questions
The duration of your RHCA coverage in Australia typically depends on your country of origin and the length of your visa. For most countries, coverage is available for the length of your authorised stay in Australia. However some countries like Malta and Italy have a maximum cover period of six months from your arrival date. You should check the specific details for your country in the 'What treatments are included in RHCAs' section above or with Services Australia for precise information.
Yes a reciprocal health care agreement generally covers medically necessary treatment for pre-existing conditions. If you need immediate or emergency medical care in a public hospital, or subsidised prescription medicines, these are usually included. However it is important to remember that the RHCA only provides basic public health care similar to Medicare and does not cover private hospital treatment or extensive long term care. For broader coverage including private hospital admission or elective treatments you should consider overseas visitors health cover OVHC.
Yes eligible family members and dependents who are also citizens of an RHCA country and hold valid Australian visas can be covered under the reciprocal health care agreement. Each individual must separately enrol in Medicare upon arrival in Australia to access the benefits. The eligibility for each family member will depend on their nationality and visa status.
Working holiday visa holders from countries with a reciprocal health care agreement are generally covered for medically necessary treatment in Australia under the RHCA. Similarly many other temporary visa holders from RHCA countries are also eligible. However there are specific exclusions such as student visa holders from Norway, Finland, Malta, and the Republic of Ireland. It is always best to confirm your specific eligibility with Services Australia based on your country of origin and visa subclass.
If you require immediate or emergency medical attention before your Medicare enrolment is complete you should still seek treatment. Public hospitals are obliged to provide necessary care in emergencies. You should keep all your medical records, receipts and documentation of your RHCA eligibility. Once your Medicare enrolment is processed you may be able to claim a refund for eligible expenses. Contact Services Australia for guidance on retrospective claims.
No, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not directly used in Australia to access reciprocal health care benefits. While some RHCA countries are also EU member states and may issue an EHIC you must enrol in Australia's Medicare system to access services under the RHCA. The EHIC is primarily for use within Europe. However some RHCA countries may require proof of your home country's health insurance membership such as your EHIC when enrolling for Medicare in Australia.
The RHCA provides access to medically necessary mental health services through the public hospital system and subsidised GP visits. This means if you require emergency or acute mental health care as a public inpatient or outpatient in a public hospital you would generally be covered. Consultations with a GP are also subsidised. However private psychiatric care, long term therapy or non-emergency mental health services outside the public system would typically not be covered. For more comprehensive mental health support you may need private overseas visitors health cover.
Sources
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Finder guides across topics including:
I will be on holiday in Australia for 2 months from Nov 2017 to Jan 2018, visiting family with my husband. We are UK citizens, with eVisitor subclass 651 visas.
I am on Methotrexate for Psoriatic arthritis, so will require routine blood tests while there.
I need to find out if the reciprocal agreement covers this. If not, which travel/health insurance would?
LiezlSeptember 12, 2017
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out.
While blood tests are covered under Medicare, I’m not sure if it’s applicable to routine blood tests. It would be best for you to contact Medicare directly to verify.
My wife and myself have just joined our daughter using a Aged Parient 804 visa which has been granted subject to medical and police reports. Which can take up to two years before these checks are complete and then a period on a bridging visa which can be 30years before residency .
As UK citizens we have been issued with a Green Medicare Card but we need to supplement our cover. What is the should we look for in our cover and who are the best companies to approach.
ArnoldAugust 4, 2017
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Please note finder is a comparison and information service and not an insurer.
If you would like to compare policies from Australian health funds, please enter your details into quote comparison tool here https://www.finder.com.au/health-insurance
Once you have done so you will be able to review quotes from 30+ health funds and sort these quotes by price or by the value of the policy. While we are able to provide quotes for 35 health funds, you will only be able to apply for coverage with the funds in our panel.
Read on to find out why international students need Overseas Student Health Cover, and what sets Allianz Care Australia OSHC apart from other similar insurance products.
While health insurance isn’t mandatory for Electronic Travel Authority (601 visa) holders you should get adequate health cover before arriving in Australia.
Find an adequate level of private health insurance to cover any medical costs incurred during your trip to Australia on a subclass 600 visa.
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I will be on holiday in Australia for 2 months from Nov 2017 to Jan 2018, visiting family with my husband. We are UK citizens, with eVisitor subclass 651 visas.
I am on Methotrexate for Psoriatic arthritis, so will require routine blood tests while there.
I need to find out if the reciprocal agreement covers this. If not, which travel/health insurance would?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out.
While blood tests are covered under Medicare, I’m not sure if it’s applicable to routine blood tests. It would be best for you to contact Medicare directly to verify.
Meanwhile, you may check our comparison for OVHC. The page has a list of insurance brands which offer overseas visitors health insurance. You might also find Services Australia’s Reciprocal Health Care Agreements guide helpful.
Cheers,
Liezl
My wife and myself have just joined our daughter using a Aged Parient 804 visa which has been granted subject to medical and police reports. Which can take up to two years before these checks are complete and then a period on a bridging visa which can be 30years before residency .
As UK citizens we have been issued with a Green Medicare Card but we need to supplement our cover. What is the should we look for in our cover and who are the best companies to approach.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Please note finder is a comparison and information service and not an insurer.
If you would like to compare policies from Australian health funds, please enter your details into quote comparison tool here https://www.finder.com.au/health-insurance
Once you have done so you will be able to review quotes from 30+ health funds and sort these quotes by price or by the value of the policy. While we are able to provide quotes for 35 health funds, you will only be able to apply for coverage with the funds in our panel.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold