Moving to Australia

Hi Fredafox, welcome to the forums -

I have zero information on this myself, but we do have members in Australia who might be able to advise you when they wake up.

@EllieM

Fredafox said:

Hi All
My husband has been offered work sponsorship in QLD . I am type 1 and I am not sure how I fit in with his visa and what I can claim . I have been told I am not eligible for a Medicare card yet I know there is something between the uk and Australia which may help me but I am not a 100% . I have looked into NDSS but without talking to my consultant I am unsure if I qualify. I have spoken to numerous health insurance companies and they will not insure me for my diabetes. Knowing how much it costs to be T1 on a libre sensor and insulin pens I am worried the costs are going to escalate. Any advice or information at this point would be very useful. Thank you

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I moved to Australia from the UK in 1999, due to my husband's work. As they were making him move from London, they paid most of our expenses, but I'm pretty sure his work visa gave me medicare from day 1. I would definitely double/triple check the medicare eligibility, because with it you'll be eligible for for your diabetic supplies and libre, not entirely sure about the pump situation.

Diabetic supplies aren't free, but they are very heavily subsidised if you are a member of the NDSS, but I expect you've looked at the website. Likewise you'll have to pay for scripts, not a huge amount and it is capped at a certain amount in a year (well it was 5 years ago, when I left Australia for New Zealand). With a medicare card you'll be able to see a local GP but you may need to pay a copayment (medicare doesn't pay enough for most GPs not to require a top up fee). I know a T1 friend had his pump paid for by his private health insurance, but the supplies were covered by medicare (I think).

Do you know what kind of visa you'll be on?