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Home » General » Reciprocal Health Care for Australians abroad (and why it’s not free in Canada) in 2024

Reciprocal Health Care for Australians abroad (and why it’s not free in Canada) in 2024

For months I've made (and heard) the same comment over and over again: “I need enough health care to get me out of the US and into Canada so that I can take advantage of Canada's reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.” It turns out, with a bit of research: that's very wrong.

According to Australia's Department of Human Services, Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Did you catch it? CANADA ISN'T THERE!

While this doesn't sound all that significant, I have heard people mention that they are paying for inferior health care with the safety net of Canada as their justification, and it's clear right now that is not a very good idea!

Be sure to head to my article about health care in the US if you haven't already signed up, there might still be time!

P.S. If you are traveling in one of these countries, you are entitled to receive help with costs for medically necessary care, which includes:

  • emergency care; and
  • care for an illness or injury that can’t wait till you get home.

The limitations and details can all be found here, per country. Be sure to know what you're getting into before you wander into a hospital and as always: make sure you have adequate travel insurance!


Update (1/2/18): The Aussie Expat Investor goes into more detail!

Josh Pugh

Josh Pugh

Josh is a business founding, digital marketing focused, charity driving, community builder from South Australia, living in New York City. After moving in 2017, Josh realized that there was an opportunity to curate and help the community of expats who moved to the United States – and launched America Josh. Josh is also the President of Variety – the Children's Charity of New York, Secretary at The Mateship Foundation, and Founder & CEO at Fortnight Digital.View Author posts

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