Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) eligibility for Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 011-44060000
Expand allEligibility documents for RHCA countries
This table outlines the acceptable eligibility documents for RHCA countries, and the details to be recorded in CDMS for the document type, reference text and reference date.
Table 1
|
Eligibility document |
Reference text |
Reference date |
|
Passport |
Country of passport, passport number, and expiry date |
Date of issue |
|
Letter from Immigration (Department of Home Affairs) |
Visa subclass number and app ID |
Date of document |
|
VEVO confirmation |
Visa details |
Date of VEVO check |
Residency documents for RHCA countries (recorded under Eligibility documents in CDMS)
This table outlines the acceptable overseas residency documents for RHCA countries, and the details to be recorded in CDMS for the document type and reference text. Date of processing is to be used for the reference date for all residency documents.
The residency documents must be dated, be from the applicant’s RHCA country and demonstrate the applicant was a resident of the RHCA country before arriving in Australia.
Only two residency documents are required if a family is enrolling.
The applicant might present documents not listed below. If unsure if the evidence is suitable or the applicant is unable to provide one the below documents, follow Escalation process for Medicare Eligibility.
Table 2
|
Documents |
Document type |
Reference text |
|
Health Insurance card, for example, GHIC |
European Health Insurance Card National health Insurance Card |
Name of country on card |
|
Proof of employment, for example, employment contract, payslip, letter from employer |
Employment contract |
Name of Employer |
|
Rental/ lease agreement or bond paid for property |
Rental/lease bond paid for property |
Name of real estate agent or owner (private rental agreement) |
|
Bank statement |
Bank account/statement (current) |
Name of financial institution |
|
Evidence of children enrolled in university, school or childcare |
Enrolment in university/school/childcare |
Name of University, school or childcare |
|
Property or contents insurance |
Property/contents insurance |
Name of insurer |
|
Gas, electricity, water or rates account |
Utility account |
Name of utility provider |
|
Statutory Declaration (Italy only) |
Statutory Declaration |
Approved as per OB |
Pathway to permanent residence for retirees eligibility
Table 3
|
Visa held |
Permanent residency application lodged |
PR application type (category) |
Medicare eligibility |
|
405 or 410 |
No |
Not entitled to Medicare and not eligible for RHCA |
|
|
405, 410 or bridging visa |
Yes - PR not yet granted |
Parent visa 103 or Contributory visa 143 |
Only entitled to Medicare (RHCA) if they are from RHCA country and meet the RHCA eligibility criteria for that country |
|
143 or 103 |
Yes - granted |
Parent visa 103 or Contributory visa 143 |
Eligibility for Medicare as a Permanent resident (entitlement type ‘E’) from date granted |
|
405, 410 or bridging visa |
Yes - PR not yet granted |
Contributory visa 864 |
Only entitled to Medicare (RHCA) if they are from RHCA country and meet the RHCA eligibility criteria for that country |
|
864 |
Yes - granted |
Parent visa 103 or Contributory visa 143 |
Eligibility for Medicare as a Permanent resident (entitlement type ‘E’) from date granted |
Note: for Pathway Retirees if eligible for RHCA, they can be enrolled in Medicare even though they have not held a temporary offshore Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173) or temporary onshore Contributory Parent visa (subclass 884). For applicants that have applied for a temporary visa 173 or 884 see Ministerial orders and Medicare eligibility
Pathway to permanent residence for retirees entitlement
Table 4
|
Field |
Entitlement |
|
Entitlement Type: |
RHCA |
|
Country of Relevance: |
(applicable country) |
|
Entitlement Start Date: |
Date of lodgement |
|
Entitlement End Date: |
12 months at a time This can be extended every year where evidence is provided if the application is still under consideration. If application is refused - seek advice |
|
Entitlement End Reason: |
Entitlement ceased |
|
Documents: |
Documents:
|
|
Comments field: |
'Pathway to Parent App - RHCA only' |
Historical extension of RHCA entitlement for eligible citizens of Italy and Malta during COVID
Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), previously enrolled citizens of Italy and Malta, residing in Australia had their entitlement automatically extended until 17 March 2022.
Eligible citizens visiting Australia had an extension of RHCA entitlement from 18 March 2020 until 17 March 2022. Eligibility for Medicare returned to the regular eligibility requirements set out under the RHCA for Italy and Malta from 17 March 2022.
Contact details
Medicare and Aged Care - Local Peer Support (LPS)
Medicare Consumers Program Support - Medicare Consumers Section - Medicare Branch
Reciprocal Health Care Agreement effective dates
Table 5
|
Country |
Effective date |
|
Belgium |
1 September 2009 |
|
Finland |
1 September 1993 |
|
Italy |
1 September 1988 |
|
Malta |
6 July 1988 |
|
The Netherlands |
4 January 1992 |
|
New Zealand |
1 September 1999 |
|
Norway |
1 March 2004 |
|
Republic of Ireland |
25 May 1998 |
|
Slovenia |
13 November 2010 |
|
Sweden |
1 May 1989 |
|
United Kingdom |
1 July 1986 |