Australia's public health system, Medicare, is for residents. Visitors pay for their own treatment — unless their country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. The Department of Home Affairs puts it plainly on the eVisitor page: you are personally liable for all your healthcare costs in Australia, and it recommends health insurance.
The 11 agreement countries
Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, South Korea, China and Taiwan have no agreement. Visitors from those countries pay the full cost of any hospital, ambulance or doctor fees unless they are insured.
What the agreement covers
- Medically necessary care out of hospital (for example a GP visit)
- Medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital, inpatient and outpatient
- Some prescription medicines under the PBS at the general rate
Visitors from Ireland (and New Zealand) are covered for public hospital care and PBS medicines only — not GP visits. They do not enrol in Medicare and must ask hospital or pharmacy staff to treat them under the agreement.
What it does not cover
- Treatment as a private patient, in a public or a private hospital
- Travelling to Australia in order to get medical treatment
- Anything that is not medically necessary
How long cover lasts
- Italy and Malta: up to 6 months from arrival, or until the visa expires if sooner
- United Kingdom and Ireland: until the visa expires
- Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Slovenia: until your national insurance, your EHIC or your visa expires — whichever is first
Enrolling in Medicare
Visitors from agreement countries (other than Ireland and New Zealand) enrol in Medicare and receive a yellow Medicare card. You need your passport, your visa, and proof of cover at home — usually your EHIC (or a GHIC for UK residents) or national health insurance card. If you are only in Australia briefly and do not need treatment, there is no need to enrol. Treatment received before you enrol may still be covered once you do.
Source: Services Australia — Reciprocal Health Care Agreements
Source: Services Australia — Visiting Australia
Source: Department of Home Affairs — eVisitor (subclass 651): health insurance
Common questions
Does Germany have a health care agreement with Australia?
No. Germany, France and Spain have no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. Visitors from those countries should take out travel health insurance.
Is health insurance mandatory for the eVisitor?
The Department of Home Affairs recommends it and states that you are personally liable for all your healthcare costs in Australia. Check your own visa conditions in VEVO or your grant letter.
I am Italian. How long am I covered?
Up to 6 months from the day you arrive, or until your visa expires if that is sooner. You need to enrol in Medicare to claim GP visits.
More on the eVisitor
Bringing medicines
Up to 3 months' supply for your own use, in original packaging, with a prescription or doctor's letter — and declared. Some medicines are banned.
Emergency numbers
Call 000 for police, fire or ambulance; 112 works from mobiles. 911 is not redirected. Non-urgent police: 131 444. An interpreter is arranged if needed.
After you land
Your visa gets you on the plane. What comes after — SmartGate, cash, tax refunds, healthcare, driving, emergencies — checked against official sources.
Smoking, vaping, alcohol
Vapes are sold only in pharmacies; travellers may bring 2 for their own treatment. The drinking age is 18, and smoking is banned in enclosed public places.
Phones and SIM cards
Activating an Australian prepaid SIM requires an ID check — a passport in your name is accepted. Check your phone works on Australian 4G/5G first.
Plugs and voltage
Australia uses a plug with two flat pins in an inverted V (Type I) and 230 V, 50 Hz. Check your charger's label before you plug in.