Obtaining TLI Medication in OZ?

Reagh

A friend of mine is travelling to australia soon. She has an illness tht requires daily medications. I know that there is an agreement between our government and the Australian government that a person can source there meds under this while travelling but I was just wondering how one would find out how to avail of this?

Vorsprung

That's fairly specialised information.

Local health office might be a good place (or wherever processes E111 forms or the equivalent health card nowadays).

Cooperspale

Firstly find out if the med is available here. PBS (part of Medicare) can point to this answer. If it is an expensive medication, it may require an authority from Canberra, and the condition needs to satisfy the PBS schedule requirements. If it doesn't meet requirements you will pay a private price which can be $$$, if it does satisfy it will $34 odd

As an Irish national, you can be treated (for free I think) in any public hospital so long as you show your passport. Seeing a GP is no problem you will pay between $55-85 depending on where you go. To get the script at PBS price you should bring your passport to the pharmacy.

Any more ques, feel free. I work in this area

Vorsprung

Emergency treatment is free in public hospitals. We're not entitled to PBS prices.

Zambia

Cheers guys I was hoping to actually answer this question once and for all.

Can anyone provide me a link on the reciprocal agreement. What are Irish people On WHV's entitled to?

Cooperspale

The official line:
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/ireland-nz.jsp
Yes, you will be seen for free in public hospital (with your Irish passport)
Yes, you will be able to obtain PBS subsidised medicines. This will only really benefit you if you are getting exxy meds e.g. keppra for epilepsy (which I have dispensed to an Irish person on WHV on display of their passport and verification with Medicare)

Zambia

Cheers for that , one for the Pool room that one.

universe777

I'm pretty sure you need a Medicare card to avail of PBS subsidised medicine. So your friend will need to apply for one of those, this can be done in a Medicare office.
The card will also be needed to avail of a free GP (called 'bulk billing') to get an Australian prescription.
Type the medicine name into the PBS Schedule Search box here: http://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home to see if the medicine is on the scheme, then you will only pay up to a maximum of $34.20 per prescription.