The short version
The UK and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). As a UK citizen visiting or living in Australia, you can enrol in Medicare and access the Australian public health system — GP visits, public hospital care, and some subsidised medicines. This is broader than most RHCA agreements, which typically only cover emergencies.
What it is not: a full replacement for private health insurance. Dental, ambulance, optical, and private hospital care are not covered.
What the RHCA covers for UK citizens in Australia
✅ Covered
- GP visits (if bulk billed)
- Public hospital treatment as a public patient
- Some PBS-subsidised medicines
- Emergency department care
- Pathology and imaging (if GP-requested, public)
❌ Not covered
- Dental (any)
- Ambulance
- Optical / eyewear
- Private hospital or specialists
- Elective procedures with long waits
- Medicines not on the PBS
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Gap fees still apply. Not all GPs bulk bill. If a GP charges above the Medicare schedule fee, you pay the difference out of pocket. Ask “do you bulk bill?” when booking. Find bulk billing GPs near you →
Bulk Billing Finder.
How to enrol in Medicare as a UK citizen
2
Bring your UK passport and current Australian visa. Student, working holiday, and temporary visas all qualify under the RHCA.
3
Complete the Medicare enrolment form. Enrolment is free. Your Medicare card will arrive by post within 2–3 weeks. You can get a temporary letter confirming enrolment on the day.
4
Enrolment covers the period of your visa. If your visa is extended, you can re-enrol. If you become a permanent resident or citizen, you transition to full Medicare automatically.
Ambulance — the gap most UK arrivals miss
Unlike the NHS, ambulance in Australia is not free. A single call-out typically costs $900–$1,200 depending on the state, billed directly to you. Medicare and the RHCA do not cover it.
Queensland & Tasmania
Free for residents. UK visitors: get cover via travel or health insurance.
NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT, NT
Not free. Annual ambulance subscriptions available (~$40–$50/year).
Check with your state ambulance service or get ambulance cover through a private health insurer as an add-on.
On arrival checklist
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Enrol in Medicare at a Services Australia centre (bring UK passport + visa)
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Register with a GP — find a bulk billing practice near you
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Sort ambulance cover if in NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT, or NT
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Arrange dental cover separately — Medicare covers no dental
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Bring sufficient supply of any regular medications — PBS subsidies apply once enrolled but your UK prescription won’t be recognised directly
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Keep your UK NHS records accessible — your new Australian GP will want your history