National health care system and insurance
Information about Australia's health care system and private health insurance.
Medicare
Medicare is Australia’s national health care system which helps Australians and permanent residents with the cost of doctor’s visits, medicines, hospital stays etc. Some temporary migrants may also be eligible.
To register with Medicare, you will need your passport and other travel documents.
If you meet all the requirements you will receive your Medicare card in the post approximately three weeks later.
Private health insurance
You can find a comprehensive list of independent private health insurance information on the government's Private Health website.