Migrant Healthcare

Most migrants move to their new country without experiencing medical problems. If something were to go wrong, though, would you be eligible for medical treatment? Out of the four nations we're considering, Australia, Canada and New Zealand provide free or heavily subsidised healthcare. In the United States, private medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Healthcare In New Zealand

New Zealand's healthcare system is funded through general taxation. Treatments are usually free or subsidised. Medical treatment is generally very good. Private healthcare is also available.

All migrants are eligible for care in New Zealand's healthcare system provided they are ordinarily resident in New Zealand.


Healthcare In Canada

Canadian health services are funded through general taxation. Canada's public health system, like Australia's, is called Medicare. All permanent residents of Canada are eligible for Medicare. Each Canadian province is responsible for its own healthcare system. In some provinces, there is a small monthly fee for health insurance. There are also minor differences in services provided between the different provinces.


Healthcare In Australia

Australia's subsidised health system is called Medicare. Migrants are eligible for Medicare provided they have a valid work visa or have become Australian permanent residents.

Medicare refunds 85 percent of the Medicare Schedule Fee for primary care (non hospital) costs. Anyone treated as a Medicare patient in a public hospital has no fees to pay.

If any element of treatment is provided privately, Medicare will meet 75 percent of the Medicare Schedule Fee for the treatment.

The Medicare Schedule Fee is controversial because doctors (public or private) are entitled to charge more than the fee. This needs to be paid by patients with their own funds or some form of medical insurance.

To fund Medicare, Australians pay an extra 1.5 percent of their gross salaries as a Medicare tax. The tax rises to 2.5 percent of salary for people who earn more than $50,000 per annum ($100,000 for families) and who do not take private medical insurance.


Healthcare In The USA

The United States has an excellent healthcare system but it is generally not heavily funded through general taxation. Healthcare in the USA is very expensive and private health insurance is necessary. If you are moving to the USA, you must ensure your employer provides health insurance as part of your employment package - most employers do for skilled workers.