Are you covered by medicare in Australia if you are on a 457 visa?

Question

I am particularly interested in maternity cover, I am from the UK and living in Australia, considering having a baby over here.

Answer 1

A selection of information regarding 457 visa holders:

Q: Who should pay for my medical costs if I or a family member gets sick while in Australia?

A: You and any family dependants should have health insurance for the whole time you are in Australia.

If your sponsor has arranged the health insurance, they should be able to give you the details of your health insurance policy.

The health insurance payments should not be deducted from your salary without your agreement and must not reduce your salary below the Minimum Salary Level (MSL).

If you do not have health insurance and you or your family require treatment in a public hospital, your sponsor is responsible for paying these costs.

Edit:

It appears that the information provided by Immigration about medical cover for 457 holders disagrees with the information provided by Medicare:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-w...

Says you are exempt from paying the Medicare levy, and your Sponsor pays all medical bills if you have NO Insurance

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/47bt...

Says Temporary residents from countries with which Australia has reciprocal health arrangements are eligible for Medicare assistance for immediately necessary treatment. Nationals from most of these countries are therefore not exempt from the Medicare Levy.

Do you currently pay the Medicare levy, or did you request to be exempt from it  ?

Answer 2

A 457 visa is not a PR visa, however, as you're from the UK which has reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia, Medicare assistance is available for immediately necessary treatment. This does NOT cover maternity. Immediately necessary treatment is defined on the following web page:

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/publ...

Answer 3

you will not be covered for maternity