Australia's healthcare system: how it works for foreigners

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Australia's healthcare system: how it works for foreigners

Australia is one of those English-speaking countries where medicine is very highly developed. Various systems, insurance, and everything to improve medical care for citizens. A system such as Medicare (that is, medical care) is organized here. This system is financed with the help of the budget and a minimum percentage of the salaries of employees. The poor, those with many children, students, and pensioners do not pay anything. 0.2% is deducted from the military, and 1.5% from all others.

This program aims to ensure normal health care for all Australians. All adult citizens have a name card in this system, thanks to which, together with their family members, they can be treated for free. Such a health insurance system is available not only to Australian citizens but also to refugees and immigrants with permanent visas. Medicare insurance covers half of all medical services. Under this government policy, you can enjoy free delivery. However, pregnant women are not special customers here, so no one provides any additional care. If you want a better approach and more care, it is better to go to a private clinic. So it won't be cheap. The cost will be $7-8 thousand.


Insurance system for foreigners

If you are a foreigner and do not fall under the requirements of state insurance, you can contact a private insurance company. One of the most popular companies for tourists, foreign workers, and students is Medibank. With this insurance policy, you can get treatment in public and private clinics. You will also be compensated for the costs of the dentist and an ambulance call. However, you will be able to treat injuries you sustained before coming to the country. Costs for cosmetic surgery or psychiatric examinations will also not be covered.

To prevent tourists from coming to Australia for treatment, a waiting regime has been established here. You can wait for such medical assistance for six months or more. However, even if you have private insurance, it does not guarantee that you will not have to pay for some medical services. You need to know this to be prepared in advance.

There are also public medical centers in the country where you can consult specialists. Such centers provide free assistance to women, immigrants, the unemployed, and families with small children. Children's vaccinations are very responsible here. If a child does not have vaccinations, he will not be able to attend kindergarten or school.