Seeing a doctor in Australia is very different to Nepal. There's no walking into a hospital ward and asking for a doctor. The system works through GPs (General Practitioners) — your first point of contact for almost everything health-related. Here's how it all works, and what you need to know depending on your visa.
Step 1 — Are You Eligible for Medicare?
Medicare is Australia's public health insurance system. It covers GP visits, hospital care, and subsidised medications. But not everyone living in Australia is eligible — your visa type matters.
- →✅ Australian citizens: Fully eligible
- →✅ Permanent residents (PR): Fully eligible from the day your PR is granted
- →✅ New Zealand citizens: Eligible
- →❌ Student visa holders: NOT eligible — Nepal has no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia
- →❌ Graduate visa (485): NOT eligible for Medicare (Nepal is not on the RHCA list)
- →❌ Temporary Skill Shortage visa (482): NOT eligible
- →❌ Visitor/tourist visa: NOT eligible
If you're on a temporary visa, you need private health insurance. Without it, a single GP visit can cost $80–$120 out of pocket, and a hospital stay can cost thousands. Check your visa conditions — many student and 485 visas require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
Step 2 — Enrol in Medicare (PR and Citizens Only)
Once you have PR or citizenship, enrol in Medicare as soon as possible. It's free and takes about 15 minutes.
- →Go to a Services Australia (Centrelink) office in person — bring your passport and PR visa grant letter
- →Or apply online via myGov (my.gov.au) — link your Medicare account after enrolment
- →You'll receive a Medicare card by post within 2–3 weeks
- →Keep the card with you — hospitals and GPs will ask for it
- →The card covers you and your family members listed on it
Step 3 — What Is a GP?
A GP (General Practitioner) is a family doctor who handles most everyday health needs — colds, injuries, prescriptions, referrals, mental health, blood tests, skin checks and more. In Australia, you almost always need to see a GP first before seeing a specialist. You cannot walk into a specialist clinic without a referral.
- →GP = your first point of contact for all non-emergency health issues
- →GPs can write prescriptions, order blood tests and X-rays, and refer you to specialists
- →Appointments are typically 15–30 minutes
- →For emergencies, go to a hospital Emergency Department or call 000
- →For after-hours non-emergency care, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice
Step 4 — What Is Bulk Billing?
Bulk billing means the GP accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment — you pay nothing out of pocket. This is the most important thing to look for when choosing a GP. Not all clinics bulk bill, and some only bulk bill for concession card holders or children.
- →Bulk billing GP: $0 out of pocket — Medicare pays the clinic directly
- →Non-bulk billing GP: You pay the full fee (often $80–$150) and claim back a Medicare rebate (around $40–$80) — leaving a 'gap' of $30–$70
- →Always ask 'Do you bulk bill?' before booking
- →Bulk billing availability varies by suburb — some areas have more bulk billing GPs than others
- →Telehealth (phone/video) bulk billing is also available from many clinics
Step 5 — How to Find a GP Near You
- →healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services — official finder, filter by 'bulk billing'
- →HotDoc (hotdoc.com.au) — book online, filter by bulk billing and availability
- →HealthEngine (healthengine.com.au) — similar to HotDoc, shows real-time availability
- →Ask neighbours or the Nepali community Facebook group for recommendations in your area
- →Once you find a good GP, register as a regular patient — this gives you priority bookings and continuity of care
What to Bring to Your First GP Appointment
- →Medicare card (if you have one)
- →Photo ID (passport or driver's licence)
- →List of any current medications, including dosages
- →List of known allergies
- →Any previous medical records you have (vaccination history is useful)
- →Your health fund card if you have private insurance
Medicare Card vs Private Health Insurance — What's the Difference?
Many Nepalis confuse Medicare with private health insurance. They are different and serve different purposes.
- →Medicare: Government scheme — covers GP visits, public hospital, some specialist care, and PBS medications. Free to enrol if eligible.
- →Private health insurance: Optional extra — covers private hospital rooms, dental, optical, physiotherapy, and extras. You pay a monthly premium.
- →If you're on Medicare, private insurance is optional but useful for dental and optical (not covered by Medicare)
- →If you're on a temporary visa, private insurance (OSHC or OVHC) is your only cover
PBS — Subsidised Medications
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises the cost of most prescription medications for Medicare card holders. Without Medicare, medications can be very expensive.
- →General patient PBS co-payment in 2026: approximately $31.60 per prescription
- →Concession card holders pay approximately $7.70 per prescription
- →Medications not on the PBS list are sold at full price — can be $50–$200+
- →Your GP will tell you if a medication is on the PBS when they write your prescription
Mental Health Care Plan — 10 Free Psychology Sessions
This is one of the most underused benefits of Medicare, especially in the Nepali community. If you're experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or difficulty adjusting to life in Australia, you can access up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year through your GP.
- →Ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
- →Your GP will assess you and, if appropriate, refer you to a psychologist
- →Medicare covers up to 10 sessions per calendar year
- →Sessions may be bulk billed or have a small gap — ask before booking
- →Telehealth psychology sessions are widely available if you prefer privacy
- →This is completely confidential — your employer is never told
Need a Nepali Interpreter at Your GP?
If you feel more comfortable speaking Nepali during a medical appointment, you can request a free interpreter through TIS National.
- →TIS National: Call 131 450 (free, 24/7 for health and emergency use)
- →Tell your GP clinic you need a Nepali interpreter when you book
- →The clinic can arrange a phone or in-person interpreter — at no cost to you
- →You can also use TIS for telehealth appointments
Find a GP you like and stick with them. A GP who knows your history will give you much better care than seeing a different doctor every time. Most clinics let you book with a specific doctor — always ask for your regular GP.
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