Australia offers some of the world’s best healthcare access, and permanent residents (PRs) are permitted access to a range of health benefits designed for their families. This simple, easy guide walks you through every step and detail, ensuring your family stays happy, healthy, and protected.
🇦🇺 Australian Permanent Resident Healthcare: The Family Benefits
If you or a family member needs to visit a doctor, have a blood test, or require to stay in hospital, Medicare can help you reduce or eliminate the additional costs for your health and safety. Here is the overview of what’s covered:
| 🏥 Benefit Area | 💡 What It Means for You & Family | 💬 Real-Life Insight |
| 🏨 Public Hospital Care | Free/subsidized treatment for emergencies, surgeries, ICU, or childbirth in public hospitals. | Your partner undergoes surgery: Medicare covers it all, including overnight stay. |
| 💊 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Major discounts on thousands of essential medications. Once you hit the PBS Safety Net, meds may be cheaper/free. | Your child’s asthma inhalers drop from $100+ to under $32, and even less after the Safety Net. |
| 👨⚕️ GP (Family Doctor) Visits | Bulk billing means your family often pays nothing for GP visits. Medicare rebates most costs otherwise. | Your toddler has a fever and you visit a GP and paid zero due to bulk billing. |
| 🩺 Specialist Access | GP referrals lead to specialist care (e.g., cardiologist, dermatologist). Medicare pays up to 85% of scheduled fees. | See a pediatrician for your child, only a small gap fee may apply. |
| 🧒 Dependent Child Coverage | All dependent children (up to 15 or older in some cases) get full Medicare benefits, including GPs and medications. | Immunizations, health checks, prescriptions all are subsidized for your children. |
| 🦷 Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) | Eligible kids aged 0–17 can access up to ~$1,000 in free dental care over two years: exams, X-rays, fillings, more. | Your 9-year-old gets a dental clean and cavity filled, covered through CDBS. |
| 🤰 Maternity & Postnatal Care | Antenatal visits, scans, and hospital childbirth costs are covered in the public system. Postnatal checks too. | Deliver your baby in a public hospital and no hospital bill needs to pay, just care and support. |
| 👩❤️👨 Spouse/Partner Coverage | Your partner joins you on your Medicare card, sharing full access to all benefits: GP, hospital, PBS, and more. | Both parents in the home have equal medical access under Medicare. |
| 👨👩👧 Whole Family Coverage | Medicare extends its safety net to the entire household, making healthcare a shared journey with fewer financial worries. | The family is supported from everyday colds to childbirth and chronic care. |
But wait, there’s a flip side too! What isn’t Medicare designed to cover?
Medicare is a lifesaver, but it doesn’t cover everything. Generally, you’ll find that Medicare doesn’t cover:
| ❌ Service Not Covered | 🔍 What This Really Means | 💬 Helpful Notes / Exceptions |
| 🦷 Most Dental Services | Routine dental like check-ups, fillings, braces, or crowns are not covered. | ✅ Exception: Eligible children can get free care through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). |
| 👓 Optical (Glasses & Contact Lenses) | Buying glasses or contacts are not covered in Medicare | Eye tests by optometrists may be covered but the lenses and frames are not. |
| 💆 Allied Health Services | Services like physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, etc. are not generally covered. | ✅ If your GP refers you under a Chronic Disease Management Plan, then some rebates may apply. |
| 🚑 Ambulance Services | In most states, you’ll need to pay separately or have ambulance cover | ✅ Free in QLD & TAS. Other states often require private ambulance cover. |
| 💄 Cosmetic Surgery | Purely cosmetic procedures (e.g., facelifts, lip fillers) aren’t covered. | ✅ Exceptions exist if the surgery is medically necessary |
| 🏥 Private Hospital Costs | Medicare won’t pay for your private hospital room or full costs of private treatment. | ✅ It might partly cover the doctor’s fee, but the stay, theatre, and extras are on you unless you have private health insurance. |
🧭 Medicare Eligibility & Services for Families of Australian PRs
| 🏷️ Category | 💡 What It Means | 💬 Real-Life Insight or Example |
| 🟢 Direct PR Eligibility | If you are a Permanent Resident living in Australia, you’re automatically eligible for Medicare. | 🎉 You can immediately enrol in Medicare. |
| 🕓 Applied for PR but Still Waiting? | You may be eligible before PR is granted if:🔸 You hold a valid temporary or bridging visa, AND🔸 You have work rights or a close family member who’s a citizen/PR/NZ citizen in Australia. | You’ve submitted a PR application and hold a bridging visa with work rights? ✅ You might be eligible right now. |
| 🌍 Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) | If you’re from certain countries (e.g., UK, NZ, Ireland, Sweden), you may get limited Medicare access while visiting or waiting for PR. | On a holiday or waiting for PR from the UK? 🇬🇧 You may access urgent medical care under the RHCA. |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family Members of PRs | Your spouse/partner and dependent children can also enroll in Medicare and enjoy full benefits. | Once you’re eligible, your partner and kids can join your Medicare card. |
| 📝 Enrolment Tip | Apply online or visit a Services Australia office with your passport, visa documents, and proof of residence in Australia. | Take your PR grant letter and ID to the nearest Centre link/Medicare office to enroll. |
| 🛑 Who Might Not Be Eligible (Yet) | Certain temporary visa holders (e.g., some parent or visitor visas) are not eligible until PR is granted. | Holding a tourist visa and haven’t applied for PR?❌ You likely won’t qualify for Medicare yet. |
🌀 Beyond Medicare: Complementary Private Health Insurance for PR Families
- Why should you consider it?
Medicare doesn’t cover everything, such as some dental, optical, or physiotherapy services. Private health insurance helps with these extras and allows you to be treated as a private patient in a hospital of your choice.
- Lifetime Health Cover:
Sign up before age 31 to avoid higher premiums for hospital cover later. The government encourages early registration for private insurance with special rebates and by avoiding extra tax, that is, the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
🛡️ Is Private Health Insurance Right for Your PR Family?
Given what Medicare doesn’t cover, many permanent resident families choose to opt for private health insurance. It acts as a secondary protection for you and your family members. It can help you:
- Choose your doctor in hospital: If you opt for private hospital care, you often have more choice over your treating doctor.
- Reduce waiting times for non-emergency surgery: In the public system, non-urgent surgeries often face lengthy waiting lists. Private insurance can help you bypass these.
- Cover “Extras”: This is where dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and other allied health services often come in. Private health insurance “Extras” cover can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for these.
- Access private hospitals: Enjoy the comfort and choice that private hospital facilities can offer.
✨ Is it worth it?
It is a personal decision. Factors such as your family’s health needs, financial situation, and desire for choice will play a significant role. It’s something to research once you’re settled!
🏥 Hospital Care & GP Visits: What Medicare Covers for PR Families
| 🏷️ Healthcare Service | 💡 What It Means for Your Family | 💬 Everyday Example |
| 👨⚕️ GP (General Practitioner) Visits | Many GP clinics offer bulk billing, which means you pay $0. If not, Medicare subsidizes the cost, and you only pay the small gap. | You visit your GP for a check-up. There would be no bill if it’s bulk billed, or a small fee if not. |
| 🩺 Specialist Appointments | Need to see a dermatologist or cardiologist? If referred by your GP, Medicare covers 85% of the fee. | Your child is referred to a pediatrician then you required pay just a small portion of the cost. |
| 🏥 Public Hospital Stay | As a public patient in a public hospital, your entire stay including surgery, accommodation, and care, It is completely free under Medicare. | Your partner needs surgery in a public hospital. Medicare covers everything. |
🧒❤️ Children’s Health in Australia: Support for PR Families
Healthy kids, happy parents.Here’s what’s included under Medicare and public programs.
| 🏷️ Service Area | 💡 What’s Available |
| 💉 Vaccinations & Health Checks | ✅ Free routine immunizations and developmental check-ups at public health clinics or GP practices. |
| 📈 Growth & Development Monitoring | ✅ Regular assessments by GPs or community health nurses to track growth, milestones, and wellbeing. |
| 🧠 Chronic & Mental Health Support | ✅ Access to specialized care for long-term conditions, mental health plans, and emotional support. |
| 🏫 School Health Programs | ✅ Many schools provide basic health screenings and support, including dental and mental health talks. |
🤰🍼 Maternity Care in Australia: What PR Families Need to Know
| 🏷️ Care Option | 💡 What Medicare Covers for PR Parents | 💬 Things to Know or Plan For |
| 🩺 Prenatal Care | ✅ Medicare covers most pregnancy check-ups, blood tests, ultrasounds, and clinic visits. | Visit your GP or midwife for scans and screenings. Mostly free under Medicare. |
| 🏥 Public Hospital Birth | ✅ Give birth as a public patient: Medicare covers hospital stay, delivery, and care. | You won’t choose your doctor, but you’ll still receive safe, quality care. |
| 👶 Postnatal Check-ups | ✅ Mother and baby follow-up visits are also covered in public hospitals. | Get support after birth for feeding, recovery, and baby’s health. No extra cost. |
| 🛏️ Private Maternity Care | ❌ Want a specific OB/GYN, private room, or elective caesarean? Private insurance is needed. | Consider private health insurance if you want more choice and comfort options. |
✅ Tip for New Parents:
Stick with public care for cost savings, or explore private cover early (12-month waiting periods often apply for maternity).
👵❤️ Healthcare for Elderly Parents in Australia
| 🏷️ Stage or Service | 💡 What’s Covered or Needed | 💬 Real-Life Insight |
| 🛬 Before Visa Grant (While Awaiting PR) | ❌ Not eligible for Medicare yet → Private health insurance is essential. | This ensures your parents are covered for emergencies or hospital visits during this time. |
| 🟩 After Visa Grant (PR Approved) | ✅ Eligible for Medicare. They can access GP visits, public hospitals, and subsidized meds (PBS). | Once they’re permanent residents, they get the same healthcare access as you. |
| 💊 Prescription Medicines (PBS) | ✅ Access to reduced-cost medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. | Ideal for parents managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. |
| 🏥 Public Hospital Access | ✅ Covered as public patients, includes surgery, overnight stays, and nursing care. | Best for non-urgent or planned procedures through the public system. |
| 🧾 Private Insurance (Optional) | ⚠️ May still be important, some age-related conditions or extras (like dental, optical) not covered. | Consider insurance for extras or faster private hospital access, especially for seniors. |
♿💙 Healthcare Support for PRs with Disabilities in Australia
| 🏷️ Service or Scheme | 💡 What’s Covered | 💬 How It Helps You |
| 🩺 Medicare | ✅ GP visits, specialist appointments, public hospital stays, and diagnostic tests. | Ensures basic medical needs are covered at low or no cost. |
| 🧠 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) | ✅ PRs may be eligible for funded, personalized support plans. | Offers tailored assistance for daily living, therapy, mobility, employment & more. |
| 📑 Eligibility for NDIS | Must be:✔️ Under 65✔️ Living in Australia with PR visa✔️ Have a permanent/significant disability | Gives you access to a long-term support plan for better quality of life. |
| 🔗 What NDIS Covers | Support workers, home modifications, assistive tech, and therapies, skill-building. | Go beyond medical care and live independently, participate socially, or access work help. |
💊 Prescription Subsidies (PBS) for PR Families
Affordable Medicines, Less Financial Stress
| 🏷️ What’s Covered | 💡 What It Means | 💬 Real-Life Insight |
| 💊 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Most prescription medicines are heavily subsidised for Australian Permanent Residents. | That asthma inhaler that normally costs $90? Under PBS, it might cost just ~$31.60. |
| 💰 Up to 75% Savings | PBS can reduce your medicine costs by up to 75% or more, depending on the drug. | Treating a chronic condition like diabetes? You’ll save hundreds annually on meds. |
| 👨👩👧👦 For the Whole Family | PBS benefits extend to your partner and dependent children listed under Medicare. | Everyone in the family has access to affordable treatment, from antibiotics to insulin. |
| 🛡️ PBS Safety Net | Once your family hits a certain annual limit, future medicines are even cheaper or free. | After reaching the threshold, your regular $31.60 medication might drop to $7.70 or $0. |
🧠💚 Mental Health Support for PR Families in Australia
Because your mind matters and so does your family’s well-being.
| 🏷️ Service | 💡 What It Means for You | 💬 Real-Life Insight |
| 🧾 Medicare-Subsidized Sessions | Permanent Residents can access subsidized psychology, counselling, and psychiatric sessions through Medicare. | Medicare helps cover your therapy or counselling costs. |
| 🩺 Mental Health Treatment Plan | Ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan. It would unlock up to 10 subsidized sessions with a mental health professional per calendar year. | Visit your GP, get a referral, and see a psychologist. You pay a lot less. |
| 👨👩👧 Available for the Whole Family | Both adults and children in PR families can access support from anxiety and depression to school-related stress or trauma. | A referred counsellor session is within reach. |
🦷👓 Dental & Optical Care for PR Families
| 🏷️ Family Member | 💡 What’s Covered by Medicare | 💬 What You May Need to Pay For |
| 🧒 Children | ✅ Eligible kids (0–17) may receive up to $1,132 over 2 years under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for basic dental: check-ups, cleans, X-rays, fillings. | ❌ Braces, orthodontics, and private dental may require to pay or insurance. |
| 👩🦰 Adults (Dental) | ❌ Routine dental (cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns) is not covered by Medicare. | ✅ Consider private dental insurance or pay directly to the dentist. |
| 👁️ Adults (Optical) | ❌ Medicare does not cover glasses or contact lenses. | ✅ You’ll need to pay extra charges or use private health insurance for optical needs. |
| 👁️ Eye Tests | ✅ Basic eye tests by optometrists may be covered once every 3 years (more frequently if needed). | ❌ Glasses and frames themselves are not covered. Medicare stops at the test. |
🚨🏥 Emergency Care & Hospital Stays for PR Families
| 🏷️ Service | 💡 What Medicare Covers for PRs | 💬 What You Should Know |
| 🆘 Emergency Care | ✅ Medicare fully covers emergency treatment provided in a public hospital. | Your child breaks an arm in an accident then the emergency care is free. |
| 🚑 Ambulance Services | ❌ Not covered by Medicare in most states. Ambulance costs vary depending on where you live. | Live in NSW or VIC? 🚨 You may face a hefty bill without separate ambulance cover. |
| 📝 Recommended Action | ✔️ Check your state’s ambulance policy and consider private ambulance cover or a subscription. | In QLD & TAS, ambulance services are free.Elsewhere, insurance is highly recommended. |
🪜 Enrolling Your Family in Medicare: A Step-by-Step Guide for Australian PRs
- Gather Documents: Passport, ImmiCard, visa grant notice, proof of address, and documents for all family members.
- Apply: Enrol online through your myGov account or by completing the Medicare enrollment form and submitting it with supporting documents.
- Add Family: Include details for each dependent (the primary applicant adds children under 15; those over 15 must submit separately).
- Approval: Once processed, you will receive your Medicare card by mail.
👩⚕️ Accessing Specialist Care: Referrals and Costs for Permanent Resident Families
- You’ll usually need a referral from your GP (family doctor) first. It allows Medicare to cover part of the specialist’s fee and helps your GP coordinate your overall care.
🩺 Finding Your Family Doctor (GP) and Accessing Specialist Care
Your GP will become your family’s healthcare anchor in Australia. They are the primary source for most of your health concerns, providing referrals to specialists and treating your health conditions.
👨⚕️ Choosing a General Practitioner:
- Ask recommendations or suggestions from friends, neighbours, or colleagues.
- Online directories: Websites like Healthdirect or local medical centre websites can help you find GPs in your area.
- Consider “bulk billing”: You can opt for “bulk billing” for Medicare-eligible services, that means you are not required to pay any cost. Others may charge a small fee.
🩹 Accessing Specialist Care:
- Referral is Key: To have Medicare cover part of the cost, you must get a referral from your GP to see a specialist, such as a paediatrician, dermatologist, or physiotherapist.
- Costs: While Medicare covers a portion of specialist fees, there can often be a “small gap” payment—the difference between the specialist’s fee and the Medicare rebate. Private health insurance may help reduce this gap for in-hospital specialist services.
⏳🩺 Understanding Waiting Periods for New PR Families
| 🏷️ Type of Coverage | 💡 What You Can Expect |
| 🏥 Medicare | ✅ No waiting period once you’re enrolled. You can start using benefits immediately. |
| 🛡️ Private Health Insurance | ⏳ Waiting periods apply for certain services:🔸 Up to 12 months for maternity care or pre-existing conditions.🔸 2 months for mental health or rehab in most cases. |
✅ Family Tip:
Use Medicare for immediate needs, and plan for private insurance claims, especially for maternity or ongoing treatments.
⚕️ Maintaining Your Healthcare Entitlements: What PR Families Need to Know
- Keep Details Updated: Always update your address and circumstances with Medicare.
- Re-Enrol If Needed: Change in family status (birth, new arrivals, etc.) may require reapplying or updating your card.
🤔 Most Commonly Asked Questions: What others are asking about Australia’s PR Family Healthcare Benefits
❓ Q1. Can I enroll online?
✅ Yes, through myGov for individuals and families.
❓ Q2. Do my children get free health care?
✅ Many services are covered, including dental (if eligible), hospital, and GP visits; some extras may require private insurance.
❓ Q3.What if we travel?
✅ Medicare covers emergency care in reciprocal countries, but consider private travel insurance for full coverage.
❓ Q4. What if I have a pre-existing condition? Will Medicare cover it?
✅ Yes, Medicare covers medically necessary treatments regardless of pre-existing conditions. Private health insurance may have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
❓ Q5. Do I need to pay a Medicare levy?
✅ Yes, generally, if your income is above a certain threshold, you will pay a Medicare levy (a percentage of your taxable income) through your tax. There are exemptions for low-income earners.
🏴 Conclusion: Your Family’s Health, Your Australian Home
Moving to Australia as a permanent resident provides access to a healthcare system that is beneficial for PR families. Understanding the Medicare system as your foundation and private health insurance for extras, you can protect your family’s health with world-class support. Stay informed, keep your records updated, and rest easy knowing robust care is always within reach.
This guide is just a starting point for your journey. Don’t hesitate to take help from Services Australia, individual healthcare providers, or trusted community organisations if you have particular questions or need personalised advice.
Welcome home, and here’s to a healthy, happy life in Australia for your whole family!