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Netherlands Reciprocal Health Care Agreement and 405 and 410 retirement visa holders

This information is to assist 405 and 410 retirement visa holders in Australia to determine if the Australia-Netherlands Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) applies to them.

The Department of Human Services takes into account a number of factors to assess eligibility. The RHCA applies to visa holders who are both:

  1. entitled to benefits according to the Zorgverzekeringswet, and
  2. temporarily in Australia–that is, lawfully present but not resident in Australia.

Criterion 1: Proof of residence in Netherlands

To prove residence in Netherlands you need to provide one or more of the following:

  • you must hold a European Health Insurance Card issued by the health care insurer with which you are insured, bearing the initials 'NL'.

If you don't meet the requirements of this criterion, you haven't proved your residence in Netherlands and aren't eligible under the RHCA.

If you have met the requirements of this criterion the department will need to determine whether you are 'ordinarily resident' in Australia.

Criterion 2: Determining whether you are resident in Australia

If you've lived in Australia for a total of more than six (6) of the past twelve (12) months, either continuously, or intermittently, you aren't eligible under the RHCA.

If you arrived in Australia for the first time within the previous twelve (12) months, and haven't spent more than six (6) months here since then, either continuously, or intermittently, you aren't considered 'ordinarily resident' in Australia and are eligible under the RHCA. Please refer to the 'Enrolment' section below on how to enrol in Medicare.

If you first arrived in Australia more than 12 months ago, you may not be eligible under the RHCA even if you haven't lived in Australia for a total of more than six (6) of the past twelve (12) months, either continuously or intermittently. This will depend on your established lifestyle in Australia since your first arrival here. Please see Criterion 3.

Criterion 3: Ineligibility due to established lifestyle

We will determine your eligibility by taking into account your established lifestyle. You would be considered 'ordinarily resident' and not eligible under the RHCA if three (3) or more of the following apply to you:

  • you intend to spend more than six (6) of the next 12 months in Australia
  • your visits to Australia form a pattern of regular and significant visits over a number of years
  • you own property in Australia
  • you lease or rent property in Australia
  • you have a spouse, parent/s or child/ren residing in Australia
  • you are employed in Australia
  • you have a bank account in Australia
  • you have a motor vehicle registered in your name in Australia
  • you have formed any ties to the community in Australia, such as membership of a club or other organised group.

Enrolment

If after reading this you consider yourself eligible under the RHCA, please complete the Medicare Enrolment Form and send it, along with certified copies of supporting evidence, to:

Attention Victoria Eligibility Team
PO Box 9822
Melbourne VIC 3001

or

Email to vic.eligibility@humanservices.gov.au

Please also send a signed Statutory Declaration affirming your residency status under all criteria.