If you are in Australia and need medical care, it is important to know how the health care system works.

The Australian Government has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with many countries. Foreign guests from these countries can receive medical care at the state hospital. However, there are some services that are not covered, so it is advisable to have health insurance for the duration of your stay.

If you are not from countries covered by the RHCA and are being treated in a public hospital, you will have to pay the full cost of your care. If you have private health insurance, your insurance company may cover some of these costs.

Most visas require international visitors to have private health insurance during their stay in Australia.

If you are an international student studying in Victoria, you need to apply for the International Student Health Insurance Scheme.

Countries covered by RHCA: Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain.

RHCA only covers essential care. If you want to see a doctor or visit a public hospital for treatment that is not medically urgent, you will have to pay the full cost of the service.

Some RHCAs do not cover visitors on student visas. If you're not sure if you're covered by the RHCA and you're in Australia, visit your nearest Medicare office and discuss your situation with a member of staff.

RHCAs are not intended to replace private travel health insurance. International visitors should consider private health insurance for their stay in Australia.

There is a wide range of private and general insurance companies that provide health insurance for international visitors. What your policy covers will depend on the type of package you have purchased and your insurance company. Most companies offer a range of options to suit different travelers.