Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

emigrating to Australia while pregnant - tips for my sil please

12 replies

manamana · 03/04/2008 08:37

Hi all. My db and family are leaving the UK at the end of April and have just found out that she's pregnant so very although i am a little bit sad too as we won't be able to visit for quite a while. Anyway, can you help with what they need to do to get in the system asap once they get there - how different is antenatal care etc etc. Not really sure what I'm asking just wanted to do something to help as they are busy sorting flights etc

OP posts:
eidsvold · 04/04/2008 03:35

Depending on where she is going.

I moved to Aus when 18/19 weeks pregnant. I just looked up my local gp - explained the situation and they asked me to come in.

I was a public patient - so was referred to the local hospital and I did something called shared care.

Shared care is basically where most check ups except for about 3 or 4 of them are done with the GP ( what would have been midwife appts in the UK) and then had some appts with my named consultant at the hospital.

The other option is to do solely midwife care at the hospital - so going to the hospital for all of her appts.

She can also go as a private patient where she would be referred to an obstetrician and see him at every appt.

1st thing So 1st thing they would need to do is get to Medicare office with their passports containing their visas. They will be given a medicare number - necessary.

She can then find a GP and they will refer her on from there.

I found shared care so much easier than traipsing into the hospital - especially when I really did not have anyone to take dd1 for me. ( and again when having dd3 - so much easier to get to see GP without having to wait for ages etc at the hospital.)

With regards to payment - hospital appts not charged - but will still need a medicare number so Medicare is charged iyswim. Depending on doctor's surgery - some are bulk billing practices, others you pay and then claim money back from Medicare - don't get all of it back but get most of it.

She also needs to check with safety with regards to flying so early in her pregnancy - especially long distance.

superloopy · 04/04/2008 04:03

I moved back to Oz when I was 13wks pregnant and I have to say it was bloody hard work. I can't believe we not only moved house, but moved country, furnished a whole house and had to set up a whole new life too! I also have a 3yo DD.
Anyway I second everything eidsvold has said but would like to add that I have found the health system to be a dream here compared to the UK (well East London NHS).
I feel that the healthcare I had both anti and post natal was first class and probably comparable to private care in the UK. The hospitals are newer and have more space. I found the staff to be so caring and helpful as they seemed to have more time for patient care.
Where is your DB moving to?

chloeb2002 · 04/04/2008 04:21

ill third eidsvold. I arrived here 15 weeks pregnant and have opted for hospital based care as i just suited me better our Gp is very busy in the village so wanted to know when i wanted an apppointment i would get one!
Flying in early pregnancy will be fine just plenty of water no alcohol and be prepared to maybe not feel like you normally do when you fly. I get terrible travel sickness when i fly pregnant and there is not alot you can take to help! and watch food on the flight, check for the safe options.
I have no complaints about the care i have here and dd was born in sydney and dito the care there. Everything seems very well put together even in the public sector.

sunnydelight · 04/04/2008 07:12

The main issue will be is she entitled to Medicare? If they are going as permanent residents they will be so no problem. If they are on a business visa (457) then it gets more complicated. If it's a work transfer then I would strongly suggest that she tries to make sure that an appropriate level of private medical insurance is transferred with them and to make absolutely sure it covers pregnancy.

Everyone I know who has a baby here in either the public or private systems say it's vastly superior to the UK

Mhamai · 04/04/2008 07:15

Don't try to smuggle in oranges.

Mhamai · 04/04/2008 07:17

Correction, don't bring oranges period.

manamana · 04/04/2008 12:26

thank you all so much. i'll pass on the info - especially about oranges . They are heading to brisbane and have got visas rather than a job transfer so hopefully they will qualify for medicare. having just had ds2 here i am in awe that they can contemplate upping sticks and moving but they've been planning this for past couple of years so they are just v v excited.

OP posts:
chloeb2002 · 04/04/2008 19:00

will be no problem with medicare as all uk citizens are entitled to reciprocal health acre... whih includes maternity expenses. Even on a holiday visa you can in theory have a baby in aus. so dont stress about that!

chloeb2002 · 04/04/2008 19:01

should be health care...

eidsvold · 05/04/2008 08:43

manamana - as they are going in on visas - they will just need to go to the local medicare office - make sure they take their passports with the visa stamps in them and they can get sorted. They will get a medicare number and a card will follow shortly after that. She then just picks a GP and goes from there.

They will refer her to the appropriate hospital. I had dd2 and 3 in the Royal Women's hospital in Brisbane and their care was fabulous. However I was very lucky and had fab care in the UK too.

sunnydelight · 06/04/2008 05:17

The reciprical health agreement only covers "immediate and necessary medical attention" if you are on a 457 visa, which is why I put above that it gets complicated! I guess if you present to a hospital in labour it would be pretty immediate and necessary There IS a requirement on this type of visa that a family has appropriate private insurance. If they have 136s then there is obviously no problem. They just have to get their head around the fact that going to the doctor is no longer free!

chloeb2002 · 07/04/2008 04:22

we are on a 457 and are covered by mediace for pergnancy. If i opted to bve seen privateky i would need private care. This pregnancy ahs been very complicated and every bit has been covered including scans and an mri this week. Pregnancy care is required care and reciprocal. I had dd1 in sydney on reciprocal cover as a tourist visa due ti a trip in and out. Care deemed un nessesary is care that you could recieve in your home country when you return. as a 457 is valid for 4 years and covers spouses and children accompanying. I claim back drs from medicare although my gp doesnt bulk bill so there is a shortfall just with anyone else. If i bulk billed then this would be free too. It would be the same if i had come to aus with diabetes for exapmple. my care would be covered as it is on going and necessary. If i was here for 2 months and requested a hip relacement on arrival i would be told to get it done when i get home. Just the same for aussies visiting the uk. they will get care on NHS unless they can reasonably wait.
So please dont panic i think this pregancy has increased the qld health buget somewhat but i promise to earn it all back when i go back to work..... Any penance considered.... trying to thnk of the worst hospital i can to go and work for...

New posts on this thread. Refresh page