Check your Medicare eligibility, find bulk billing doctors
Health cover in Australia is a mix of public Medicare, private hospital insurance, extras cover and overseas visitor policies. New arrivals often ask one question - "Am I covered?" - but the better question is what happens if you need a GP, an emergency department, a planned surgery, pregnancy care or dental treatment.
Start by checking Medicare eligibility. Permanent residents, many people who have applied for permanent residence, New Zealand citizens living in Australia and visitors from RHCA countries may be able to enrol. If you are not eligible, compare OVHC or OSHC before relying on travel insurance. A cheap policy can still be expensive if it excludes pregnancy, joint replacement, ambulance or the GP visits you expect to use. Keep the policy information statement handy when comparing waiting periods and exclusions.
Premiums vary by insurer, state, age, excess and visa status, so the table uses relative cost instead of invented dollar amounts.
| Cover type | Premium level | Hospital cover | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare only | No premium, but Medicare levy may apply through tax. | Public patient care in public hospitals, Medicare rebates for GP/specialist services. | Citizens, PRs and eligible visa holders comfortable using the public system. |
| Basic hospital | Lowest private hospital tier. | Limited hospital categories, often with restrictions. Does not replace Medicare for GP visits. | People mainly trying to avoid MLS or keep minimal private hospital cover. |
| Bronze | Lower to mid private hospital tier. | More categories than Basic, but major items like heart, joint replacement and pregnancy may be excluded. | Younger singles or couples wanting some private hospital choice without broad cover. |
| Silver | Mid to higher tier. | Broader hospital categories. Some policies add Plus cover for extras like pregnancy or cataracts. | Families or older adults who want wider hospital cover but do not need full Gold. |
| Gold | Highest hospital tier. | Must include all clinical categories, including pregnancy and birth-related services. | People planning pregnancy, major surgery or broad private hospital choice. |
| OVHC / OSHC | Varies by visa and policy. | Designed for overseas visitors or students. Benefits and exclusions vary widely. | Temporary visa holders without Medicare, especially students, 482 workers and working-holiday makers. |
Sources: Services Australia Medicare enrolment | Services Australia RHCA list | Health.gov.au product tiers | ATO MLS thresholds
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These are common starting points. Always check the policy statement before buying cover.
A new PR family can usually enrol in Medicare, then decide whether private hospital cover is worth it. If family income for MLS purposes is above $202,000 in 2025-26 and they do not have appropriate hospital cover, MLS can apply. Use Medicare vs Private Health before choosing Basic, Bronze or Silver.
A 482 worker may need OVHC because they are not usually Medicare eligible unless an RHCA or other rule applies. The key upgrade question is not just price - it is hospital excess, waiting periods, pregnancy exclusions and whether GP visits are rebated. Compare policy documents before relying on employer-provided cover.
A working-holiday maker from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand or another RHCA country may get limited Medicare for medically necessary treatment, but RHCA is not full travel insurance. It may not cover dental, ambulance, repatriation or private hospital costs. Check eligibility, then use the Bulk Billing GP Finder.
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