for new migrants to oz, not all are entitled to medicare. not all visa classes are entitled to medicare or public funded healthcare, to simplify let's just think of it this way if you're not a permanent resident/visa holder there is a possibility that you will not be legible for medicare or the waiting time to get a medicare number is LONG.
public funded healthcare works this way... if you need a scan like ultrasound/ mri/ ct scan but it is not urgent of life threatening..they will make you wait for 3-6 months whereas if you have private insurance you can have it done privately fast.
but say you had an accident or acute illness (appendicitis maybe), you can be treated in the emergency room even if you have not provided for private insurance. the problem will then be once you are admitted and had surgery.. what if you are not yet legible for medicare? what if you do not have your medicare number yet even if you have applied?? then how will you pay?
..kasi sometimes may waiting period to claim for medicare so there are instance specially if work visa holder ka na medyo complicated ang entitlements then you will have to pay from your own pocket for all treatment received then if you are entitled naman to medicare, you can claim all those expenses you have paid BUT DIBA YOU PAID NA FROM YOUR OWN POCKET first.. if you have private insurance then the hospital can directly claim from the private insurance without asking you to pay from your own pockets first.
clear lang ang entitlement to medicare for citizenships and permanent residents... but for work visa holder kahit anung number series yan there are lots of waiting periods/ loop holes.
so it is safer to have private insurance.
anyway most will not be granted visa naman if you do not have private insurance FROM australia.. so philippines insurance IS not recognized (note philhealth is NOT an insurance company) what you do is go online, google what insurance providers there are and give them a call long distance.. they are quite well verse naman on what insurance you will need. get a quote..don't settle for one that you will not be able to afford.
also remember there are clauses in your private insurance that says they will not shoulder expenses like pregnancy for at least 1 year..so make sure you DON'T get pregnant for 1 year muna kasi the insurance might not pay for that.
in the hospital i work, it's a public hospital, most australian citizens really have insurance. the hospital also gives you a note saying if you have private insurance please make a claim with them for this stay because it will help the hospital with operation costs. the good thing with insurance is that you can choose your own doctor. even if you are paying on a private insurance, it doesn't mean you will get a private room. public hospitals here have an open ward setting and single rooms are given to infectious/ immunocompromised patients only.
my other friends work in a private hospital, private hospitals here can look like hotels so if you are legible to give birth na based on the length of time you had your private insurance..it would be nice to do it in a private hospital kasi you will have your own room and good amenities. if you paid for it from your own pocket, normal delivery can apparently cost about 2000-3000 aud at least if you have private insurance and not sure of medicare entitlement you don't have to worry about such costs.
kahit na super malaki sweldo mu.. would you risk it? let's say you had a car accident and needed spine surgery, the cost for spinal rods is about 70,000 aud.. just for spinal rods. so if you do not have private insurance and your medicare entitlement is not yet active kasi let's say you have only been in australia for 3 months... where would you get 70,000 aud to get your spine done?? do you think in 1 year in oz or less, you will save 70,000 aud right away?
for 50-100 aud a month sa insurance..i think i'll get private insurance and when i have a medicare number on hand and well-versed with what i can be entitled then saka na ako mag decide if private insurance is on top off medicare or a must pa rin to have. think about it that way...