Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement
Some selected countries have a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement (RHCA) with Australia that entitles their citizens to Medicare eligibility, but even citizens who are eligible for Australian Medicare under an RHCA are only covered for public hospital treatment that is medically essential. RHCA's do not cover treatment in private hospitals.
Working or temporary graduate visa visitors to Australia who are required to hold private hospital cover in Australia (or who are citizens of countries that do not have an RHCA with Australia) must obtain a Department of Immigration-approved overseas visitors health cover, such as health.com.au's Budget Workers Cover, before they arrive in Australia.
Countries with Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements Participating RHCA countries are:
- Belgium
- Finland
- Italy
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Republic of Ireland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
You can find more information about RHCA’s on the Australian government site.
If you are eligible for reciprocal Medicare, there are heaps of benefits to also holding a health.com.au hospital cover. Your health.com.au Overseas Visitors Cover will ensure you are covered for non-essential admissions, like investigative procedures, as well as ambulance services and visits to private hospital.
Have you heard the word?
On 1 July 2021, health.com.au will join forces with Frank Health Insurance.
Learn more about how this may affect your OVHC cover here.
