Australia is one of the best-equipped countries in terms of social security systems. That said, France has never signed a healthcare agreement with this distant neighbor. For this reason, all French nationals, pvtists, students, expatriates… will need to take out international health insurance, whether for travel, expatriation or both (with the vacation and work permit). We take a look at the health risks in kangaroo country, and your rights to be covered.
Wild or developed country?
Australia is a wild country in the sense that certain vaccinations are recommended (notably the classic DTP, rubella and measles for children) and that there are areas where snakes, spiders and other animals can be dangerous (even deadly). When traveling in the Australian outback or bush, it’s best to know the emergency door, as you’re never safe from an accident, snake bite or sting… Incidentally, the emergency number is 000.
That said, Australia is a developed country. It is even one of the most advanced countries in terms of detection, prevention and response to health risks, and also one of the best equipped, whether in private or public hospitals. Major cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne are home to some of the best healthcare facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
The Australian healthcare system at a glance
In 2024, Australia remains among the countries with the best healthcare systems, ranking in benchmark rankings such as the Global Health Security Index. Whether traveling or expatriating, despite venomous animals and risks in rural areas, access to healthcare in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane is excellent, thanks to modern, well-equipped infrastructures.
Public vs. private healthcare system
As in many countries, there is a public healthcare system, Medicare, and a private healthcare system (with various paid insurance options).
The country strives to offer a universal healthcare system, enabling every Australian citizen or permanent resident to benefit from the same access to care and medication. By encouraging more affluent people to take out private insurance in Australia, the authorities are able to fund the public service and offer coverage to the less well-off.
Medicare, for example, covers 80% of the cost of a consultation with a general practitioner and 100% of the cost of hospitalization. It is intended for Australian citizens and permanent residents, but you can benefit from it if :
- you are about to become a permanent resident (residence application in progress),
- you come from Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Malta or Ireland (an agreement has been signed with these countries),
- you have lived in the country for at least two years,
As a result, for an expatriation (of less than 2 years or during the first few years), a long-term trip, a student visa or another working vacation permit (PVT Australia): you are not eligible. In such cases, we recommend that you take out private health insurance in Australia. The private health system is available to anyone who cannot benefit from the public system, and gives access to private hospital care (not available under the Medicare system).
Taking out international health insurance in Australia
To obtain various visas, notably the student visa and the TSS ( Temporary Skill Shortage) visa, you must take out private health insurance, either Australian or international. As we said, the country also encourages wealthier residents to take out private insurance (in fact, it is through this collaboration between the private and public sectors that the government finances its universal healthcare system). Finally, foreign students are required to take out private health insurance under theOverseas Students Health Cover scheme.
Australian health insurance can cost up to AU$3,000 a year for a family. This gives access to health care in clinics and hospitals (private and public), reimbursement of dental and ophthalmological expenses (not covered by the public system) and certain alternative medicines. It is also entirely possible to take out private international health insurance for Australia (in France, for example), more suited to your needs and budget. This is what we recommend to cover your expatriation and/or your trip to Australia. We recommend that you take out private health insurance to cover health expenses (consultations and hospitalization), as well as potential repatriation.
The case of PVT Australia
To qualify for the Working Holiday Visa (WHV), you need to provide proof of private health insurance. In 2024, this insurance must include coverage for the entire duration of the stay, with guarantees such as repatriation assistance and coverage of medical expenses. International insurance is often recommended to meet these requirements in the best possible way.
To find out more, we invite you to visit our Santexpat.fr website. By entering your age, situation and country of destination, our team of experts will propose a list of the most suitable insurances.
