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You’re covered for medically necessary inpatient and outpatient care in a public hospital under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. Outpatient care doesn’t include visits to a medical practitioner.
You don’t need to enrol in Medicare and won’t get a Medicare card.
Who can get
To be eligible for Medicare you must have been both:
- a New Zealand citizen or resident of New Zealand before arriving in Australia
- temporarily visiting Australia.
If you’re a student, you’re eligible for Medicare. You'll need to enrol in Medicare.
If you're a diplomat
You and your family are eligible for Medicare for the whole time you’re posted here as a diplomat. You don’t need to enrol in Medicare.
What’s covered
The agreement covers both:
- medically necessary care as a public patient including public hospital inpatient and outpatient services
- some Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines at the general rate under the PBS.
Your cover is for public inpatient and outpatient hospital care only. You won’t get a Medicare benefit for out of hospital services under the agreement.
If you’re a student
Your cover isn’t limited to inpatient and outpatient care. You’re entitled to full Medicare benefits.
If you’re a diplomat
You’ll get the same entitlements as a non-diplomatic New Zealand citizen. Your cover isn’t limited to inpatient and outpatient care, and you’re entitled to full Medicare benefits.
What documents you need to show
At a public hospital or pharmacy you need to ask staff to treat you under the reciprocal health care agreement.
You’ll also need to show your New Zealand passport proving you’re a New Zealand citizen or resident.
When your cover starts and ends
Your cover starts the day you arrive in Australia. It ends the day you leave Australia.