Can I get free healthcare in Australia as an British citizen?
Expert Info
Posted by
on 25 Nov 2013
Hi there,
Please can any British expats living in Australia enlighten me about the healthcare agreements between the UK and Oz. Are UK citizens entitled to free healthcare or do I need to take out health insurance before moving?
Public healthcare in Australia is not the same as the NHS system in the UK.
Generally expats without permenant residency in Oz opt to use private doctors, as they don't have the same entitlements to Medicare as Australaians.The UK does have a recipricol health agreement with Australia which will give British citizens access to some benefits such as free treatment at public hospitals (note there are likely to be some queues and waiting lists for teatment) and subsidised medicines.
Public healthcare in Australia is not the same as the NHS system in the UK.
Generally expats without permenant residency in Oz opt to use private doctors, as they don't have the same entitlements to Medicare as Australaians.The UK does have a recipricol health agreement with Australia which will give British citizens access to some benefits such as free treatment at public hospitals (note there are likely to be some queues and waiting lists for teatment) and subsidised medicines.
To learn more check out the Healthcare in Australia page.
Good luck.