Going overseas
Leaving Australia to travel or relocate can affect financial support, medical and separated family arrangements.
Who does this information apply to?
People travelling overseas for a holiday or visit, or moving permanently to another country, who:
- receive financial support from Centrelink, such as a pension, payment or allowance
- enrolled in Medicare
- use Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme medicines
- have child support payment arrangements
- are overdue with their child support
Health services
Medicare benefits are not available for medical treatment overseas. The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries that cover the cost of any medically necessary treatment that may arise while you are in that country.
You should consider travel insurance to cover you if you get sick or injured even if you are visiting a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.
Before you travel you need to make sure that you:
- have an up-to-date Medicare card if you are travelling to a country that the Australian government has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with.
- know the rules about travelling overseas with Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme medicines as it is illegal to take or send PBS medicines out of Australia for reasons other than personal use.
More information
- Medicare website - Travelling overseas
Financial services
If you are receiving Centrelink benefits or have child support arrangements you need to consider a number of things before you leave Australia.
Centrelink benefits
In some situations, you can continue to get your payments if you leave Australia. Different rules affect Centrelink’s decision about payments if you leave Australia, so it is important to tell Centrelink as early as possible that you intend to go overseas. You can do this by telephoning Centrelink on your main payment number or visiting your nearest Centrelink Service Centre.
More information
- Centrelink website - International
Child support arrangements
No matter where you are, or for what reason, it is important that you pay your child support in full and on time. If your child support is overdue, you risk being stopped at an airport and prevented from travelling.
You have options for making child support payments from outside Australia. We can help, but only if you let us know when you intend to travel. Contact the Child support on 131 272 or via CSAonline if you are registered for online services.
More information
- Child support website - If you are overseas