UK visitor Medicare RHCA: what proof of residence is required?
Explains who meets the UK residence test for Australia’s Medicare RHCA and which health cards or 2 dated documents can prove residence in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
A visitor may qualify under the reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) with Australia only if they were living in the UK before arriving; an eligible visitor must show a current visa, a British or non-British passport, and evidence of residence in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. Services Australia’s guidance for people visiting from the United Kingdom lists specific health or insurance cards, or 2 dated residence documents, with work contracts, rental documents, bank statements and insurance records among the examples (checked 1 October 2026).
Does my visa type or reason for travel matter?
Services Australia says a person visiting Australia on a student visa is eligible. It also says diplomats and their families are eligible to enrol while posted in Australia.
The RHCA does not apply if you travel to Australia for medical treatment. However, there is a separate arrangement for people who need treatment while travelling to or from Australia, or while diverted to Australia.
What documents must I show to enrol?
Services Australia asks an eligible visitor for:
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Australian visa | A current visa |
| Passport | A British or non-British passport |
| Residence evidence | Proof of residence in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man |
The passport does not have to be British, but the other residence requirements still apply.
Which health cards or regional records can prove residence?
Services Australia gives the following examples:
| Place of residence | Accepted card or evidence |
|---|---|
| UK | A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) |
| UK | A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with the initials UK |
| Jersey | A Health card from the Health and Social Services department of the States of Jersey |
| Guernsey | Proof of insurance from the Guernsey States Insurance Authority, or other proof of Guernsey residence |
| Isle of Man | A National Health Insurance card |
| Northern Ireland | A Health Service card |
A relevant health or insurance card can serve as residence evidence. Services Australia also accepts 2 documents that prove residence in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Can I use work, rental, bank or insurance documents instead?
Yes. For the 2-document residence option, Services Australia lists:
- a work contract;
- a rental or lease agreement, or a bond receipt;
- a bank statement;
- evidence that a child is enrolled in childcare or school;
- property or contents insurance;
- a gas, electricity, water or rates account.
The residence documents must have a date marked on them. A bank statement or insurance document can therefore help form part of the 2-document evidence, provided it is dated.
How can I enrol in Medicare?
Services Australia provides 2 methods:
- Enrol online through myGov.
- Complete a Medicare enrolment form.
A person staying in Australia for a short time who does not need medical care does not need to enrol.
When does Medicare cover start and end?
For an eligible visitor, cover under the RHCA starts on the day they arrive in Australia and ends when their visa expires.
If eligibility is about to expire, Services Australia says the visitor and their family can extend their Medicare eligibility online.
Treatment received before enrolment may still qualify for a Medicare benefit. After enrolling, the visitor should submit a claim so Services Australia can determine whether a benefit is available under the RHCA.
What medical care does the RHCA cover?
The agreement covers:
- medically necessary care out of hospital;
- medically necessary inpatient and outpatient care when received as a public patient in a public hospital;
- some PBS prescription medicines at the general rate.
If you are travelling to or from Australia, or are diverted to Australia, and needed treatment during the voyage or flight, you may be able to receive medical treatment under the RHCA. This is different from travelling to Australia specifically for medical treatment, which is excluded.
What happens if I am not eligible for Medicare?
A person who is not eligible for Medicare cannot claim a Medicare benefit for treatment received in Australia.
If you must lodge an Australian income tax return, you may be eligible for a Medicare levy exemption if you were ineligible for Medicare for all or part of the financial year. Services Australia requires a Medicare Entitlement Statement for this process.
General information only. Check current policy documents and the Department of Home Affairs page for your visa before making cover or enrolment decisions.
Sources
FAQ
Must I have a British passport?
No. Services Australia accepts either a British passport or a non-British passport. You must also show a current visa and acceptable evidence of residence.
Can a health card replace 2 residence documents?
Yes. A listed card, such as a UK GHIC, an EHIC showing the UK initials or the relevant regional card, can prove residence. Alternatively, Services Australia lists 2 residence documents as acceptable evidence. Documents must have a date marked on them.
Do student visa holders qualify?
Services Australia says a visitor on a student visa is eligible. The visitor must still satisfy the RHCA’s core residence requirement.
Can I claim for treatment received before enrolling?
You may receive a Medicare benefit. After enrolling, you should submit the claim so Services Australia can decide whether a benefit is available under the agreement.
Does RHCA cover end when my visa expires?
Yes. For an eligible visitor, cover starts on the day they arrive in Australia and ends when their visa expires.
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