The private healthcare system (which Medibank is part of) complements the public healthcare system, or if you’re not eligible for Medicare, it replaces it. Medibank provides private health insurance (also known as overseas health cover) to overseas students, visitors and workers to help with the cost of services provided in the private healthcare system. This includes emergency ambulance trips and a range of treatments in a private hospital.
If you need medical attention while you’re in Australia and you don’t have health cover it can be very expensive, whether you’re treated in the public or the private healthcare system.
Medicare is operated through the Australian government and gives Australian residents, and some international visitors, free or discounted health services through the public healthcare system. If you’re from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) you might receive some Medicare benefits, also known as Reciprocal Medicare.