hoons

Thanks Petals. I'm trying to get info out of WA Health Dept, but have been waiting a while now for them to get back to me. I've also sent emails to several private hospitals to see whether they can give me an indication of private medical costs ... hopefully they'll get back to me soon! I've done the sums and I know how much I can afford to pay for meds in Oz, just need to find out how much they're gonna cost! (i know my medication is gonna cost in excess of $20k per year!). I might also ask my potential employer whether they would be willing to do some kind of salary sacrifice, where I take a pay cut and get them pay directly for my medication costs in return. Not sure about the legalities of this, it may be construed as a taxable benefit in which case it wouldn't benefit me at all, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

Hello :biggrin: I'm trying (in vain) to find out what fees will be involved for private hospital care in Western Australia. I'm coming over on a 457 Visa, and due to my pre-existing condition will be liable for medical costs. I've found out the cost of the medication I take on the PBS website, however I can't find anywhere how much the associated costs might be. I will attend hospital as an out-patient to receive my medication via IV infusion - does anyone know how much this might cost? I provide blood samples prior to my infusion, I have appointments with a specialist consultant (less frequently) and also see my GP from time to time - again, is anyone aware of likely associated costs for these activities? Thanks in anticipation, Tom.

That's what I was hoping for :biggrin: Thanks M2M !!!

I am going through the 457 visa process and there has been absolutely no mention of having to apply for PR after 2 years. I have quite a few friends in Oz already on 457's, and when their 4 years are up, they get another 4 year visa. I have no intention on applying for PR. I am going out for a 'life experience', be it for 4, 8 or 12 years.

Thanks M2M, but I was wondering if there were any circumstances where Medicare could turn round and say "we're not going to provide our services to you fullstop", for eg due to a pre-existing condition?

Does anyone know of any reason why someone on a 457 temporary working visa would be refused access to Medicare under the Reciprocal Health Care Arrangement between Oz and the UK? Thanks, Tom.

I'd double check your travel insurance. Most policies state that journeys have to start and end in the UK - which might obviously make a policy invalid given that you won't be going back to the UK within 31 days. I'm in the process of arranging private medical insurance for a 457 visa. I'll need this anyway due to pre-existing conditions. Perhaps ask your employer to check what is necessary / required .. they should have contacts at the DIAC who will be able to let them know.

Excuse my ignorance, but what's Rego??

Sorry about that, I should have put "temporarily relocate" instead of "emigrate".

Absolutely! It's quite common for people in my profession (engineering consultancy) to go out for 4 or 8 year stints.

restless123 ... Not sure tbh, although i wasn't planning on going for permanent residency. If we want to stay after 4yrs we would get another 457 Visa.

Thanks frostie :smile: Although I don't think that applies to a 457 Visa ... I'm pretty sure that I would be liable for all medical costs, except what was covered within private health insurance policy. I have tried to contact Medicare and ask them but it's akin to getting blood out of a stone !!

Ok, so here's my situation. I have been offered a job, and am being sponsored on a 457 visa. I suffer from Crohn's Disease and currently take Pentasa and Remicade. I believe that I will be liable for all of my medication costs. On the prices stated on the PBS, my Pentasa (mesalazine) will cost me approx $300 per month ($3600 per year), and the Remicade (Infliximab-450mg), which I have once every 8 weeks, will cost me $3,382 a pop (so $20,292 a year). I have to go into a treatment centre or hospital (as an outpatient) to receive the Remicade via IV infusion, so I presume there will be costs associated with this too? Does anyone know if there is any kind of financial assistance whatsoever for someone in my situation (other than the $600 a year for meds offered as part of private cover)? Would I be expected to pay hospital fees for being treated as an outpatient - I literally go into hospotal, get hooked up to an IV drip, sit there for 2 hours, then go home. Does anyone know if I can get the Pentasa shipped over from the UK? I have a prescription currently and pay £7.40 a month for this currently - slightly better than the $300 i think i will be charged in Oz. And finally, has anyone been in a similar situation. It would be great to hear from you if so, and to hear any tips you may have. Seriously worried I am not going to be able to fulfil my dream and emigrate to Oz at this rate!!

I'm an environmental scientist.

I've been offered a job without any skills assessment, on a 457. I interviewed for a job via telephone and skype, and got offered it. Currently going through the 457 process!

Hi all :biggrin: Can anyone let me know whether the cost of medication has a bearing on whether a 457 Visa is granted or not? I suffer from Crohn's disease and am on expensive medication for it ... but it's working and I have been really well for a long time now. I have recently been offered a job (last week!) and my future employer has started the Visa application process. I have read on other posts that the cost of medication (including Remicade, which I am on) has resulted in people being denied permanent Visa's. Does anyone know if it has a similar impact on Temporary Visas (in particular 457's)? Many thanks in anticipation.

Hello all. I know this is an old thread, but wondered if anyone had been in a similar position to me. I take Remicade (infliximab) for Crohn's, which is an expensive medication - but am going through the 457 process (temporary visa, so i will have to pay for my own medication). Does anyone know what position this will put me in? From reading other posts, it seems as though they are likely to refuse me for entry if i were to apply for a permanent visa, but not sure about a temporary one? I have a medical next week and am stressing about it!