Medicare eligibility

Queensland public hospitals are not free of charge for everybody. If you are not eligible for Medicare, there may be fees charged for any treatment provided.

Medicare is only available to people who live permanently in Australia. For this reason, the Australian Government encourages all travellers to Australia to purchase travel insurance; otherwise, you may have to pay the whole medical treatment cost in advance, depending on the type of travel insurance.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with the following countries;

• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
• Netherlands (Holland)
• Sweden
• Finland
• Norway
• Italy
• Malta
• Belgium
• Slovenia

This entitles residents of the above countries to some subsidised health services for essential medical treatment as a public patient while visiting Australia.

If you visit a public hospital and you are not eligible for Medicare or covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement

You will need to cover the costs of all hospital services.

To assist our staff in raising the correct fees, you will be asked to provide us with:

• Your passport or visa status
• Upfront payment for services
• Travel and/or health insurance policy details
• Overseas residential, email address and phone numbers
• Residential details and sponsor details including contact information during your stay in Australia
• For Malta and Italy only – proof of period you have been in Australia
• All necessary hospital and health insurance forms.

If you are admitted to hospital from the Emergency Department, our staff will discuss payment arrangements prior to your discharge.

Further information

For further information please contact our Private Patient Liaison Officer Staff.

Private Patient Liaison Officers
Ph: (07) 4433 3445