Healthcare for NZ Citizens Teaching in Australia: Everything You Should Know

Moving to Australia for your teaching career is exciting, but with everything from job contracts to school enrolments to organise, it’s easy to put healthcare on the back burner. As Kiwis teaching Down Under, here’s what you need to know to make sure you and your whānau stay healthy and covered from day one.

Accessing Medicare as a Kiwi

Thanks to a reciprocal healthcare agreement between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand citizens living in Australia can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system. This gives you access to free or subsidised treatment with doctors, at public hospitals, and for some medical tests.

Here’s how to get started:

– Enrol quickly after arrival at your local Services Australia or Medicare office, or you can start online and finish in person
– Bring your documents: passport, proof of your NZ citizenship (birth certificate or NZ passport), and details of your visa or Special Category Visa status
– Submit the form and wait for your Medicare card to arrive in the post — it’s essential for your health care

What Medicare Covers

Once you’re enrolled, Medicare will cover costs such as:

– Free treatment at public hospitals
– Subsidised GP visits and specialist appointments
– Diagnostic tests like x-rays, MRIs, and pathology
– Subsidised prescription medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

What Medicare Doesn’t Cover

Medicare is great, but it doesn’t cover everything. Be aware of these gaps:

– Most dental treatment (especially for adults)
– Ambulance transport, which can be very expensive unless you have cover. (Some states have free ambulances)
– Optometry (eye tests and glasses) unless you’re referred or have private cover
– Physiotherapy, allied health, and other therapies unless referred via a GP
– Private hospital stays and elective procedures, unless you have private insurance

Should You Get Private Health Insurance?

Many Kiwi teachers choose private health cover to fill the gaps. You might consider it if:

– You want quicker access to private hospitals for elective surgery
– You need routine check-ups with dentists or optometrists
– You want ambulance cover across different states
– You’d feel more secure with broader health benefits

Some teaching roles or employers may include private health cover in your relocation package, so double-check your contract or flag this during negotiations.

Cover for Your Family

If you’re bringing your partner or children, they can also be covered by Medicare under the family unit. Make sure to enrol everyone at once to avoid delays and extra payments.

Finding a Doctor

Choosing a GP is an important step. Many bulk-billing clinics charge Medicare directly, so you don’t pay anything.

To find the right one:

– Look for bulk-billing practices to minimise out-of-pocket costs
– Ask other Kiwi teachers or local communities for recommendations
– Use Healthdirect or local service guides to find and compare clinics

Emergency and Urgent Care

If you need emergency treatment, public hospitals will serve you at no or low cost thanks to Medicare. However, ambulance transport isn’t included in most states, so it’s wise to have ambulance cover or private insurance that includes it.

Extras to Keep in Mind

– Medicines: Ask your GP for PBS scripts to keep prescription costs down
– Eye and dental care: Compare private provider prices or explore community clinics
– Heat and sun care: Australia can be sunnier than NZ — packing sunscreen, hats, and staying hydrated is key
– Mental health services: Many psychologists and counsellors bulk bill or offer Medicare-subsidised sessions with a GP referral

Healthcare is a big part of settling into life in Australia, but as a New Zealand citizen you’re in a great position. With access to Medicare and the option of topped-up private cover, you’ll be well looked after from day one.

Have questions while you’re setting up your health cover or want tips from other Kiwi teachers who’ve done it? We’re here to support you as you embrace this exciting new chapter Down Under.