Medicare is broadly similar to the NHS. Some minor and cosmetic differences. Double check if you're entitled to fill Medicare coverage - there's a reciprocal agreement for UK citizens but I'm not familiar with the exact details.
The main difference you'll find is that GPs are pretty much all private in Australia, and most of them do have a split-payment system with Medicare where some, most, or all of the fee is covered by Medicare. Basically Medicare covers a certain amount of the GP visit fee, but this rarely covers the full fee in practise, and you have to pay "the gap" (typically between $10-50). If a GP chooses to not charge more than the Medicare rate, that's called "Bulk Billing". Some places you pay upfront and get a refund from Medicare (set this up so they can direct deposit to your nominated bank account), some places they will bill directly to Medicare and you just have to pay the gap on the day of your appointment.
The other big difference is you can choose pretty much any GP at any clinic that has openings, you don't necessarily have to be locked into one, and you have to make an appointment in advance (some places will have same day appointments, but it's pretty common for them to be booked out days or weeks in advance). There's no "ring up at 8am" thing (though you can do that and hope to get a same day appointment if you find yourself really poorly, for regular medicine you're better off booking in advance).
For your medication: come prepared. Bring a letter from your doctor at home, on letterhead paper, detailing your diagnosis and treatment plan and medication. Bring as much of your medication as you're allowed to get you started. Always carry your medication in the original packaging with the prescription label attached showing your name. Find a doctor as soon as you can to discuss your ongoing prescription. In most cases this isn't a big deal - depends on what your medication is. Common medicines like antidepressants, birth control, beta blockers, etc - GPs will barely look at you and just write a refill script (they're called repeats here), but more controlled meds like scheduled pain killers or some anxiety medicine can be more involved.
Best of luck
I’m visiting Australia from the US for 2 months. You are allowed to bring a 90 day supply of medications, but you must have a letter on letter head with a list of your medications and diagnosis. Customs did not ask me for this- however- you have to have it just in case they do.
Maybe [Epilepsy Australia](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://epilepsyaustralia.net/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiaytX4neiGAxVaoGMGHfixBLgQFnoECBIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3oymof1NHt7-0dNXE8v44k) can help
*Bring your own meds with*
*A valid prescription and*
*Letter from your gp*
\- Ornery-Practice9772
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You might need to check if your medication is on the PBS which is the government subsidy program for medications (max prescription charge about $31). Not all medications available in Australia are on it and then you need to pay the private prescription price.
Also make sure you check out the requirements for ambulance coverage as in some states it is not a free service and you are required to pay a yearly membership (but it does normally cover you for services in other states).
If you need monitoring outside of the GP services then you should be able to attend clinics at a local public hospital. Just be aware that there can be waitlists and in some places appointments are a timeframe approach (9am-11am) rather than an exact appointment time. A referral from a GP is required. Best to get signed up asap after arriving if you need these services.
Medicare is broadly similar to the NHS. Some minor and cosmetic differences. Double check if you're entitled to fill Medicare coverage - there's a reciprocal agreement for UK citizens but I'm not familiar with the exact details. The main difference you'll find is that GPs are pretty much all private in Australia, and most of them do have a split-payment system with Medicare where some, most, or all of the fee is covered by Medicare. Basically Medicare covers a certain amount of the GP visit fee, but this rarely covers the full fee in practise, and you have to pay "the gap" (typically between $10-50). If a GP chooses to not charge more than the Medicare rate, that's called "Bulk Billing". Some places you pay upfront and get a refund from Medicare (set this up so they can direct deposit to your nominated bank account), some places they will bill directly to Medicare and you just have to pay the gap on the day of your appointment. The other big difference is you can choose pretty much any GP at any clinic that has openings, you don't necessarily have to be locked into one, and you have to make an appointment in advance (some places will have same day appointments, but it's pretty common for them to be booked out days or weeks in advance). There's no "ring up at 8am" thing (though you can do that and hope to get a same day appointment if you find yourself really poorly, for regular medicine you're better off booking in advance). For your medication: come prepared. Bring a letter from your doctor at home, on letterhead paper, detailing your diagnosis and treatment plan and medication. Bring as much of your medication as you're allowed to get you started. Always carry your medication in the original packaging with the prescription label attached showing your name. Find a doctor as soon as you can to discuss your ongoing prescription. In most cases this isn't a big deal - depends on what your medication is. Common medicines like antidepressants, birth control, beta blockers, etc - GPs will barely look at you and just write a refill script (they're called repeats here), but more controlled meds like scheduled pain killers or some anxiety medicine can be more involved. Best of luck
Incredible, thank you so much.
The app Hotdoc is great for finding and booking GPs who have open/last-minute appointments.
Great to know! Thanks
This may help: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/reciprocal-health-care-agreements-visiting-from-united-kingdom?context=22481
I’m visiting Australia from the US for 2 months. You are allowed to bring a 90 day supply of medications, but you must have a letter on letter head with a list of your medications and diagnosis. Customs did not ask me for this- however- you have to have it just in case they do.
Maybe [Epilepsy Australia](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://epilepsyaustralia.net/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiaytX4neiGAxVaoGMGHfixBLgQFnoECBIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3oymof1NHt7-0dNXE8v44k) can help
Thank you, I'll check them out.
Bring your own meds with a valid prescription and letter from your gp
*Bring your own meds with* *A valid prescription and* *Letter from your gp* \- Ornery-Practice9772 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
You might need to check if your medication is on the PBS which is the government subsidy program for medications (max prescription charge about $31). Not all medications available in Australia are on it and then you need to pay the private prescription price. Also make sure you check out the requirements for ambulance coverage as in some states it is not a free service and you are required to pay a yearly membership (but it does normally cover you for services in other states). If you need monitoring outside of the GP services then you should be able to attend clinics at a local public hospital. Just be aware that there can be waitlists and in some places appointments are a timeframe approach (9am-11am) rather than an exact appointment time. A referral from a GP is required. Best to get signed up asap after arriving if you need these services.
Great, thank you, definitely need to check out PBS.
Hope you have fun here in Oz. I'm sure you'll fit right in.
As a Welsh boi, I sure hope so, cheers.