Australia is a country belonging to the list of others with a fairly developed and qualified healthcare system. Its high level is largely due to the presence of an insurance basis, that is, all medical services are fully paid by the patients themselves.

Structure of Australian medicine

The entire health care system is divided into two components: public service and private. Such a clear distinction allows you to choose the most suitable option for yourself in each case, including combining one with the other. Since the health care system is insured, medical institutions are paid for their services, and, therefore, they have a tangible incentive to monitor the quality and level of care provided.

Every citizen, as well as a permanent resident of Australia, is taxed at a rate of 1.5% of income, which goes to pay for medical services. This insurance is called Medicare and it covers treatment in hospitals (state type, of course) almost completely. It includes the following list of services:

– visiting a doctor (within the existing established norms);
– eyesight check;
– provision of primary and follow-up care in public hospitals;
– medical tests, x-rays.
It should be noted that dentistry in this country is a paid service and is not covered by Medicare insurance.

How does Medicare work?
The most important thing, so to speak, the basic link of this system, is a general practitioner. In Australia, he is called General Practitioner (shortly GP), to make it clear, he replaces the citizens of this country with a Russian therapist (for adults) or a pediatrician working in the areas. Here, however, such a division into sections does not exist, in all microdistricts there are several clinics where you can call and make an appointment.

By the way, calling a doctor at home, which is often common in Russia, is impossible here. Insurance only includes the availability of an ambulance, but it can be called if it is really bad (like a heart attack).

Medicare provides access not only to public hospitals, but also to treatment by private doctors, though you will have to pay the difference in price yourself. In addition, she, together with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, covers the costs of not everything, but most drugs.

Australian healthcare system

This whole system is divided into several types of medical care:
– general practitioners GP;
– doctors specializing in a particular profile and disease;
– urgent or emergency medical care;
– public and private hospitals;
– public health centers.

Possibility to purchase insurance

Far from all persons in this country can receive Medicare, here is a list of them:

– Citizens of Australia, that is, people who have the citizenship of this country;
– persons who have a visa for permanent residence in Australia;
– persons whose documents are under consideration for a permanent visa;
– citizens of New Zealand;
– citizens of a country that has an agreement with Australia for the provision of medical care.

Obtaining insurance for foreign students
Every person in this country must have health insurance. International students who study in Australia are also required to be insured, this service is called Overseas Student Health Cover. There are several companies that provide it in Australia, most of them provide good discounts for international students.

It is mandatory to purchase an Overseas Student Health Cover before entering the country and you should carefully monitor its expiration if you wish to continue to stay in Australia. You can buy it through an institution that provides a place for training.

Insurance for foreign citizens
Those who are not able to get Medicare (including expats) can choose their own insurance company and pay for it in accordance with health insurance rates. It is highly recommended to do this, because each person in Australia is solely responsible for paying for health-related services, and treatment here is very expensive if you pay for it out of your own pocket. Here is a list of insurance companies: Australian Health Management, Australian Unity, MBF NIB, HCF, Medibank Private, Manchester Unity.

About the importation of medicines into Australia
In order to bring any medicines into the country, you need to know for sure whether it is allowed whether this drug is for import/export, and also get a doctor’s prescription in English, otherwise you can get some problems with the law.