Information for Patients Who Are Not Eligible for Medicare

Patients who are not eligible for Medicare benefits will need to pay for the cost of all medical care and services received.

A Medicare ineligible person is any visitor to Australia who does not hold a valid Medicare card, or is not included under one of the classifications below.

Reciprocal Rights

The Australian Government has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, Slovenia, Malta and Italy. Eligibility will be confirmed by evidence of a passport and the Department of Home Affairs will be contacted to clarify visa status.

Asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees are provided with free medical care (including diagnostic services) in Victorian hospitals.

Asylum seekers and refugees will need to show appropriate documentation confirming their status from the Department of Home Affairs. If the documentation is not produced any asylum seeker(s) or refugee(s) seeking treatment will be expected to pay for all associated medical costs, however the fee will be waived if the documents are presented.

Further information

For further information please contact our finance department on 03 5182 0228.