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Obtaining social security card for Australia?

By admin on March 27, 2011

I have been issued a Temporary Business Entry Subclass 457 visa for Australia. My husband has the visa and I am accompanying him as a spouse. He is already there, but I am moving there in July. How do I apply for a Social Security (National Insurance) card? I’m assuming I need to pay it there? I’ve looked at the website for the Australian Government, Dept. of Immigration and Citizenship section, but can’t find the information.
I believe that I can work on this visa, at least, according to the Australian government website.

I think I’m entitled to Medicare too as I’m British and they have a reciprocal agreement. However, I have coverage through my husband’s company’s benefits program.

Posted in | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Responses

2 responses to “Obtaining social security card for Australia?”

  1. scat
    scat
    March 27, 2011 at 12:37 pm |

    You have not found it because we dont have Social Security cards in Australia.

    We have TFN which you apply for when you start to work (but I am not sure whether your visa allows you to work) and we have Medicare cards which I dont believe you are eligible for as only PR visa holders and citizens can have.

  2. Ozmaniac
    Ozmaniac
    March 27, 2011 at 12:53 pm |

    If you’re British, you can apply for a reciprocal Medicare card at any Medicare office and there is no direct charge though you and your husband will have to pay the 1.5% Medicare Levy on your incomes.
    http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/uk.jsp

    If you also have private hospital insurance through your husband’s company benefits program that’s great, but you should understand that in Australia, that only means that you can obtain care in a private hospital for little or no cost (and with very short waiting lists) and may (depending on coverage) also have access to ancillary services not covered by Medicare e.g. optical, dental and physio though there are always co-payments for those services. Private cover makes NO difference to GP and specialist costs or care as those services are only ever covered by Medicare. Unlike in the UK, all of our non public hospital doctors and specialists are in private practice and Medicare covers or subsidises the cost of their fees.

    You have unrestricted work privileges on your 457 visa.

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