Updated October 2026.
Short answer: partly. Ireland has a health agreement with Australia that covers you in public hospitals, but it doesn’t cover GP visits, ambulances or getting you home. And you don’t need to sign up for Medicare at all. Here’s exactly how it works.
Quick answer
- Covered: treatment as a public patient in a public hospital, and some prescription medicines.
- Not covered: GP visits, ambulances, private hospitals, dental, and getting you home if you’re seriously ill.
- No Medicare card needed. Just show your Irish passport.
- Not for student visas. Students need Overseas Student Health Cover instead.
How the Ireland–Australia health agreement works
Ireland and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). If you were living in Ireland before you arrived, you’re covered from the day you land until your visa ends, whether you’re here on a working holiday, visiting family or travelling.
You don’t enrol in Medicare and you won’t get a Medicare card. When you need treatment, go to a public hospital or pharmacy, show your Irish passport and ask to be treated under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. If you’re not an Irish citizen but were living in Ireland, you show your passport and a European Health Insurance Card with the initials IE.
Source: Services Australia.
What’s covered
- Public hospital care as a public patient, both inpatient and outpatient, when it’s medically necessary.
- Some prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), at the general rate.
What’s not covered
- GP and doctor visits. Seeing a GP at a local practice isn’t covered, so you pay the full fee yourself.
- Ambulances. A callout can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the state.
- Private hospitals, dental, physio and optical.
- Getting you home. If you’re seriously ill or injured and need to be flown back to Ireland, the cost can run to tens of thousands.
- Travelling to Australia for treatment. The agreement doesn’t apply if that’s why you came.
Fill the gaps with travel insurance ☘️
I use True Traveller. It’s built for long trips and working holidays, covers bar, restaurant and office work as standard, can add farm work, and you can buy it even after you’ve left Ireland.
Student visas: different rules
If you’re in Australia on a student visa, the health agreement doesn’t apply at all. Instead, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole of your visa as a visa condition. Thinking about a student visa? Our partners at Study Destination offer a free study consultation.
What about permanent residents?
Once you become an Australian permanent resident or citizen, you can enrol in Medicare in full, get a Medicare card and use it for GP visits too. Until then, you’re relying on the health agreement and your own insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Do Irish citizens get Medicare in Australia?
Not full Medicare. Irish visitors are covered for public hospital care and some medicines under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, without enrolling or getting a card.
Do I need a Medicare card as an Irish person in Australia?
No. Show your Irish passport at a public hospital or pharmacy and ask to be treated under the agreement.
Does the agreement cover seeing a GP?
No. GP visits outside hospital aren’t covered, so you pay the full fee.
Is an ambulance free for Irish people in Australia?
No. Ambulances aren’t covered by the agreement, which is one of the main reasons to have travel insurance.
Does it cover me on a working holiday visa?
Yes, for public hospital care, as long as you were living in Ireland before you came. It doesn’t cover you on a student visa.
More for your move: our full travel insurance guide, how to apply for a working holiday visa and the complete guide to moving to Australia.
General information, checked against Services Australia in October 2026. Some links are affiliate links, which means Irish Around Oz may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.