Does Australia have socialized medicine? Relocating to Perth from USA-daughter needs endocrinology specialist.

Question

I am a registered nurse and will be transplanting my large family to Australia-looking at Perth. We can only consider the big cities because my adopted daughter has nesidioblastosis and needs to maintain a regular relationship with a pediatric endocrinologist. I do adult nursing and desire to work in a regular surgical hospital. Do I need special medical insurance for my family since we will be residents on a work visa? Can I get this care for my daughter? Do the hospitals help their employees with medical costs? Does anyone know if the children's hospital in Perth is adjuncted to a regular adult hospital so I can work in a hospital affiliated with the children's hospital? The housing market is so expensive in your country. Is there an area close to the hospitals that is safe for a large family that doesn't know the country-yet affordable? I pay $1350/month in the US for a five bedroom 1970's home with a pool in an excellent school district. What can I expect in the Perth area 4 this?

Answer 1

I've put a link below for real estate which has an interactive system so you can check out rentals in Perth. Make sure you check the location maps of the area, as Perth is a large, spread out city, and what seems like a cheap rental can end up costing you a lot in petrol or fares.

Most areas of Perth, and most most Australian cities, are very safe by US standards. Naturally, there are criminals everywhere, but the crime rates and types of crimes in Australia seem to be sugnificantly lower than in the US according to many friends from the US. One reason for this is that guns are not easy to get, so the incidence of shootings is very low, and the need for schools' protection, etc, is therefore quite a lot less.

However, suburbs near hospitals of any kind are naturally very popular places for people to rent homes in, and you may find that they are more expensive for that reason.

Your children can attend their local public school, or may be able to travel to another school if you prefer, or they can attend a private school. You would need to visit local schools and speak with the principal to see what they offer, as there are often different programmes available.

Regarding medical costs, the short answer is yes ~ and no. Australia does have socialised medicine, but it is for Australian citizens and it is not automatically open to visitors, even long term visitors.

Most people find it best to continue their travel/medical insurance for a period of time after arriving in any country, but once you are here, make sure you visit a Medicare office to find out what your rights are regarding medical treatment for all your family.

If you work here, one per cent of your salary will be automatically deducted for Medicare (the name of our universal health scheme) costs, so you will have some sort of entitlement after a waiting period, unless you receive an exemption.

There is a facility whereby vistors to this country can pay a fee to Medicare and be eligible for some medical benefits at Australian hospitals, including emergency care.

Additionally, you can purchase private medical insurance in Australia at reasonable rates (a 'top cover' family policy which makes me eligible for treatment in any public or private hospital for any medical condition and a variety of ancillary benefits such as optical and dental) currently costs me a little over $AUD200 per month. There are usually 'waiting periods' for some benefits with these programmes.

Australian employers do not typically become involved in employee's medical insurance.

Children's hospitals in Australia are full hospitals in their own right, and are not necessarily affiliated with other hospitals, In fact, children's hospitals tend to get a higher level of funding and community support, so they do not need to be affiliated with any other hospitals.

I've put some links below which may be useful.

Good luck!