By Leila Reypour MARN 0848264

The rules that apply to reciprocal health care arrangements vary from country to country.

The definition of “Australian resident” in Section 3 of the Health Insurance Act prevents parent visa applicants from obtaining access to Medicare under that Act while their applications are being processed.

Interestingly, applicants for Aged Dependent Relative visas are not excluded.

Parent visa applicants from countries with reciprocal health care agreements can still obtain access to Medicare while their applications are being processed –subject to the limitations imposed by the agreements.

The waiting time on a Subclass 804 visa is 30 years so the restrictions on access to Medicare cards are an important issue.