Australia’s Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with the UK provides cover for certain medical costs. 

In order for the RHCA to cover your medical costs in the UK, medical care must be: 

• Medically necessary care that can’t wait until you get home to Australia, 

• In the National Health Service (NHS) system 

• Within 6 months after you arrive to the UK. 

The RHCA covers the following types of medical costs: 

• Care from an NHS doctor or nurse at a GP surgery (you need to register there as an NHS patient) 

• Care in a public ward of an NHS hospital 

• Out-patient care at an NHS hospital 

• Ambulance travel to an NHS hospital or other NHS facilities 

• Prescription medicine if the doctor treats you as an NHS patient (there is a small fee for this) 

The RHCA does not cover the following types of medical costs: 

• Non-subsidised medicine from pharmacies 

• Prescription medicines if you’re not an NHS patient 

• Any dental services 

To learn more about what is and isn’t covered by the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with the UK, visit the Service Australia website.