Does a US national need a medical visa to receive treatment in Australia?
I'm travelling to Australia soon to receive a medical procedure from a gastroenterologist who provides a treatment not available in the US (which I intend to pay for out of pocket). I'm also visiting as a tourist and plan to go to beaches and restaurants and just kind of enjoy my time in a completely new place. Is the medical treatment visa required for this or will an ETA suffice?
I've never traveled outside of North America, and never to a country that requires a visa. I'm unsure whether the purpose of the visa is purely to grant entry or if it governs the things that I can and cannot do while in the country (beyond working, which I'm pretty sure I can't do on an ETA). I'd hate to arrive and be denied entry if it turns out I have the wrong kind of entry permission. The homeaffairs.gov.au website isn't particularly clear for my situation.
Best Answer
An Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa permits you to engage in tourist or business visitor activities while in Australia. If you intend to travel to Australia for activities other than tourist or business visitor activities, then your ETA is liable for cancellation under paragraph 2.43(ea) of the Migration Regulations 1994. This paragraph provides (emphasis added) that a visa can be cancelled if:
in the case of a Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa—that, despite the grant of the visa, the Minister is satisfied that the visa holder:
(i) did not have, at the time of the grant of the visa, an intention only to stay in, or visit, Australia temporarily for the tourism or business purposes for which the visa was granted; or
(ii) has ceased to have that intention;
If your intention to travel to Australia is to seek medical treatment, then you should consider a Medical Treatment (subclass 602) visa.
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Can I go to Australia for medical treatment?
Foreigners can come to Australia on a medical treatment (subclass 602) visa for medical treatment at a medical centre or to support someone needing medical treatment or for them to donate an organ.Can Americans get Medicare in Australia?
Enrolling when you're visiting Australia Read about assessing your eligibility. To enrol as an Australian resident you need to have a permanent resident visa or have applied for one. To enrol in Medicare you need to prove you live in Australia.Can a tourist see a doctor in Australia?
The Australian Government has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with many countries. Overseas visitors from these countries can access medical treatment in a public hospital. However, there are some services that are not covered, and so it is a good idea to have health insurance for your stay.Do tourists get free healthcare in Australia?
Medicare is Australia's public healthcare system for all citizens and most permanent residents. It provides free or subsidised cover for certain healthcare services, which means it pays all or part of the costs. Some international visitors may receive Medicare benefits if a treatment is considered medically necessary.Medical Treatment in Australia? Get This Visa!
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