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Medicare is the public heath system in Australia. All australian citizens and permanent residents who have a Medicare card are entitled to free or low-cost treatment at public hospitals and to rebates on medical appointments and when purchasing medication.
 
Besides these, only citizens of a country who has a mutual healthcare agreement with Australia may use the public health care system in Australia. Because many countries, such as Portugal, do not have such an agreement with Australia if you are on a temporary visa, you should get private health insurance. 
 
How to get a Medicare card?

Most temporary visa holders are not entitled to Medicare. But there are some exceptions such as people who have applied for a permanent resident visa and those who meet the required criteria. 

To check your eligibility and enrol you must go to a Medicare counter with your passport and visa. If all registration requirements are satisfied you will be issued a provisional number and receive the card at home about three weeks after registration. Do not forget to inform Medicare if you change your residence. To find the nearest Medicare centre click here .  

There are also private health insurance plans to help with the costs of other medical services not covered by Medicare, such as treatment in private hospitals, dental or optical care, physiotherapy or transportation in ambulances. For more information about private insurance click here. 

Going to the doctor

Whenever you need a doctor you should first seek a general practitioner (GP). GPs treat any medical condition that is not life-threatening. This includes viruses, colds and flu, infections and all situations of day-to-day life that cause you to feel sick. The GPs may order blood tests and urine tests, injections, perform minor interventions, such as removing spots and warts. They may also perform gynaecological exams. If they find it necessary GPs will refer you to a specialist, providing you with a letter of reference that must take with you when seen by a specialist.
 
In most cases you pay immediately for the medical care provided and will later receive a refund of a portion of the cost from your private health insurance. The cost of a 20 minutes consultation is around AU$50 -AU$100. Most GPs charge "bulk billing", so you are only required to pay the difference between the service value and the amount reimbursed by your insurer or by Medicare. 
 
It is preferable to make an appointment in advance.  To find a general practitioner (GP) near you check Yellow Pages.
 
Medicines
If you are taking medication and need to bring them to Australia, you should bring the prescriptions accompanied by a letter from your doctor. If you need to buy more drugs while in Australia, bring a translation of your prescription so you can show it to your doctor or pharmacist. For more information on what medications you are allowed to bring visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration website www.tga.gov.au . Many medicines such as antibiotics are available only upon presenting a prescription.
 
The cost of drugs will depend on the substances contained, but can choose to buy a generic. The active ingredients in both products are the same, the only difference is the packaging and price of the product. If you have any questions about medicines, ask your pharmacist or contact the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763.
 
Health helpline 24 hours
All states and territories have telephone services that provide guidance 24 hours, seven days a week on health issues and can direct you to local health services if needed.
You should try to contact your family doctor or GP, but if he or she is not available, the services listed below have qualified nurses who can provide professional guidance in the event of an emergency and tell you what to do.
 
Line Health 24h
 
If you need an interpreter

Tell your doctor because this may require an interpreter for you during the medical consultation. This service is free for Australian citizens or permanent residents for medical appointments covered by Medicare. For more information click here .

Emergency care
Emergency treatment is available 24 hours a day in the 'Emergency Room' of public hospitals. If you need emergency medical care call 000. The phone will be directed to a hospital or depending on the circumstances an ambulance will be triggered. Check if your private insurance covers ambulance transport because Medicare does not cover ambulance costs.
 
When you go to the hospital, remember to take any medicines you are taking and also your Medicare card and or private health insurance card. If the situation is not an emergency, you should seek medical attention from your family doctor.
 

More information about Medicare

Call: 132011  www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

Department of Immigration and Citizenship -information about Medicare

Emergency services telephone assistance 24 Hours
 
Telephone services health orientation:

 

Other systems administrated by Medicare
Emergency services
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The Australian Government subsidizes some medicines included in the PBS. If you need to buy medicines quite often you should contact PBS to find out if you are eligible to apply for a card at the pharmacy PBS Safety Net. Drugs included in this program are cheaper or free for card holders during that year. For more information contact 1800 653 809.

 
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register 

If you have children under seven years of age is advisable to take their vaccination record to the doctor so that vaccines can be registered by the doctor to check whether they are in compliance with the vaccination requirements needed to enrol in school. Registration allows you to access certain Family Assistance payments. For more information contact 1800 020 613.

 

Medicare Teen Dental Plan
This dental plan subsidizes the cost of an annual dental examination and prevention and is aimed at young people aged 12 to 17 years old. Free dental examination can include preventive X-rays, cleaning and tartar removal, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene instructions, advice on nutrition and plumb holes or cracks in teeth. If you are entitled to this consultation you will receive a letter and voucher. For more information contact 13 2011.
 

 

Australian Organ Donor Register 

People over 16 years of age may voluntarily register as organ and tissue donors in the Donor Register. For more information contact 1800 777 203
In an emergency, dial 000 for:
  • Police (Police)
  • Ambulance (Ambulance)
  • Fire Brigade (Fire)
 
Calling 000 is free. Be prepared to give your name, location, phone number and the type of service you need. If you do not speak English, just say "Police", "Ambulance" or "Fire Brigade" - and then say that and the language and you will be transferred to an interpreter who will help you talk to the police, ambulance or fire, do not hang up.
 
If you are using a landline emergency services can locate you by computer so stay on the phone. You can find information about Triple Zero Service at www.triplezero.gov.au 
 
Police
In an emergency dial 000 and ask for "Police". Non-urgent cases, dial 13 1444 or the number of your local police station. 
 
Ambulance
If you need an ambulance, dial 000 and ask for an "Ambulance". Ambulances provide emergency transport to hospital and immediate medical attention. Remember not to turn off the phone and if you do not speak English - say what language you speak so you get an interpreter.
 
You may have to pay to use an ambulance depending on where you live, the distance of the journey by ambulance, the nature of his illness. Please note that Medicare does not cover the costs of using ambulances.
 
Firefighters

In an emergency, dial 000 and ask for the "Fire Brigade". In non-urgent cases, you can use the telephone number listed under "Fire Brigade (Fire)" in the White Pages of the telephone book White Pages. The services are provided free by firefighters across Australia.

Natural Disasters

In the case of natural disasters, such as forest fires, floods and cyclones, the coordination of emergency services is administered by the authorities of the states and territories. The assistance of professional services fire, police and rescue services can be given by volunteers, such as State and Territory Emergency Services (SES) (Emergency Services State and Territory) and rural fire services.

Other emergency nummbers
The telephone numbers for emergencies are listed in the White Pages telephone directories. They include:
 
  • Poisons Information Centre on 13 1126
  • Prevention Service Child Abuse 1800 688 009