Australia's health system offers a comprehensive range of public and privately funded health services. You can choose whether to have Medicare http://www.medicare.gov.au cover only or a combination of Medicare and private health insurance. Medicare, the Australian Government health scheme, provides help with basic medical expenses like free treatment in public hospitals, and free or subsidized treatment by general practitioners and some specialists.

All permanent residents are eligible to join Medicare, with restricted access granted to citizens of certain countries which have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia. To enrol in Medicare you should wait approximately seven days after your arrival and then go to any Medicare office (listed in the telephone book) with your passport or travel documents. If all enrolment requirements are met, you will receive your Medicare card with your number, in the post. A Welcome Kit, translated into several different languages, is available from Medicare offices, explaining Medicare and other government health services and the eligibility requirements for benefits and payments.

Having a Baby

If you are arriving in Australia as a permanent resident and you are, or your partner is pregnant, the most important thing is to register for Medicare. Then you need to select a General Practitioner (GP), who will give you a referral to a hospital. To find a good GP the best advice is to ask around. This is easy if you already know people. If you don't know anyone, you'll have to look at the Yellow Pages http://www.yellowpages.com.au where you can search by suburbs and choose the doctor nearest to you.