Medicare is the Australian Health Service which seems to work pretty well. Application forms can be obtained from any Medicare Office and pretty straight forward to complete, although from arriving in Australia it takes at least two weeks until the computers are updated with entry into Australia and applications cannot be made until the computers are up to date with visa entry details.

Most doctor surgeries, xray companies etc bulk bill and there is no charge to the patient.  Although for adults some doctors take a small percentage of the total charge (you have to pay the bill upfront) and the remainder of the charge has to be claimed back from Medicare offices around Australia (generally one in every suburb).  This can be immediate, or you can elect for it to be transferred electronically.

Our own experience with doctors has been very good.  My husband suffers from kidney stones and he was sent to an Xray diagnostic company immediately after seeing the doctor and his results were known within an hour.  The doctors tend to telephone the results through once received, no waiting around!

Since arriving in AustraliaI required an Xray and CT scan having been to the doctors and again, just a phone call and within the hour both had been done.  For Xrays and CT Scans, these can be carried out through many of the private companies, who again bulk bill, so there is no charge.  I am still amazed that you can walk into a clinic and have a CT scan or Xray and get the result the same day!

A UK friend of mine, informed me that her in laws arrived end of August 08 (first time ever in Oz) and the father in law suffered a heart attack whilst digging!  An ambulance was with them within 7 minutes and he was taken to a Brisbane hospital for further treatment and diagnosis.  Within 6 hours he had received all the necessary checks and surgery, which 8 mths ago, in England it took 10 days for the same treatment!    Due to the speed of this emergency and the following treatment given I am happy to say the father in law is only spending a few days in hospital having had a stent inserted!  Amazing, but true!

Therefore, from our experiences (plus many more I can quote on), I feel the health service is excellent here in Australia.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.