IMPORTANT TO ME

[Mara]

I am often quite amused at how some folks will grab their soapboxes at the first hint of a controversial question.... I honestly think that if you do not like the question, or you do not have anything of value to add, then why not just move on to the next thread? It is as easy as that. To each one that asks his question, it is obviously an important one, or, I guess, they would not be asking it. Stop for a moment and think back, have you perhaps asked a silly/stupid/over rated/often asked/duplicated, question? Did the soapboxes all jump out of hiding and lambast you for asking your question? It would really be appreciated if you guys could learn to refrain from judging so much, and try helping instead.

I have to agree with Riekie above, everyone who arrives in Australia will experience a different journey - even with all your planning and all your ducks in a row, you could still fall flat on your face AND even with no planning, and no forethought, you could arrive here and have everything fall into place....I have actually seen it happen!

Now about the medical question, and this information only applies to those who have PR.

There is no waiting time, there are plenty of doctors, specialists and excellent hospitals, IF YOU HAVE PRIVATE MEDICAL COVER OR THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT! If you plan on arriving in Australia with permanent residence, you have access to Medicare and if your decision is that Medicare will take care of your medical needs, then I have news for you, get used to waiting, unless it is an emergency. You are treated in order of need, the greater the need, the sooner you will be seen. To see a doctor, for whatever reason, you can, of course, go to an emergency department at a government hospital, however, then you should be prepared to wait your turn and that does not mean in the order of your arrival but in the order of the urgency of your need. It could take quite a few hours. In a government hospital, if you are going to be taken up in a ward, be prepared to go into a mixed ward, both men and women, you are not kept separate. It will depend on what is wrong with you, as to the ward that you are placed in. The good news is, at the end of your visit or stay, you will leave without having paid a cent and having received first world treatment! Just remember, most government hospitals are also training hospitals, and the doctor you see may not always be the most experienced, hopefully if he is out of his depth with what ails you, he will defer to someone more senior.

I have only ever dealt with doctors where you have to make an appointment. If your doctor is very popular, you are going to have to wait a few days to see him/her or you are going to have to see another doctor in the practice. If your doctor feels that you should see a specialist, they will give you a referral letter and tell you to call and get an appointment, which could easily be as much as 6-8 weeks away, IF IT IS NOT URGENT. If your doctor feels it is urgent, they will often call the specialist themselves, and you will probably see the specialist within a couple of days. You get two kinds of medical practices, those that bulk bill and those that do not. Bulk billing means that they charge exactly the same amount as what medicare pays, so if you see a doctor at such a practice, then they will zip zap your medicare card, get you to sign the form, and it will not cost you anything further. If you go to a practice that does not bulk bill, they set their own charges, for the sake of this example, let us say the doctor charges $45 per visit and the medicare rate is say $30 per visit, then you will pay the doctor the $45 and medicare will refund you the $30, which means the visit cost you $15. You pay the doctor up front, get your receipt, then you can walk straight into the medicare office, where they will immediately refund you in cash the $30. The same goes for the specialist.

On a lighter note, just an example that does amuse me, I see a cardiac specialist, privately. Across the road from his private practice is the Austin hospital, which is a government teaching hospital. He is also one of the cardiac specialists attached to the government hospital. If I need to have an operation, he can either do the operation at the private hospital where his private practice is or he can do it at the Austin where I would be a government patient...go figure!

I have 100% hospitalisation private medical cover, and have found that it is enough for me. As for my doctors and specialists, I pay them up front and collect my allowance from medicare. I have always had excellent service, am still alive, fit and kicking, and quite happy with the service that I have received in all instances.

Hope this has allayed the fears that some of you have with regard to the medical situation in Australia.

[Karen-in-Brisbane]

THANK YOU MARA!!!!

[KimH]

Not going to get involved with the fight re the title of this post but do we not all agree it could now be changed to reflect the content? It is actually a really informative post and people may miss it or read the first few posts and then move on not realising how information is in here.

It is important important important but the title should actually convey what the post is about. I almost didnt bother reading it cause knew it would be an attention grabbing tactic but am now glad I did. Despite the title.

Kim

[JennyG]

Hi Riekie and Mara! Thanks a lot for your inputs!

Mara, thank you for shedding some light on the Aus health system and the way it works! Yet again another informative post from you!

[Sambo]

Thanks for a brilliant topic! And thank you to all that have positively contributed.

I have heard from some Aussie friends of ours that you are encouraged to join a private medical aid and basically get subsidised if you do. I am assuming something similar to the tax rebates you get from SARS for your medical aid contribution? Is that true?

Thanks

Sambo

[Mara]

Hi Sambo

If you take out private medical health insurance the government will subsidise you by paying 30% of it up front. For the sake of argument, let us say your insurance costs you $100 per month, then you will only be paying $70 per month to your medical insurer, the balance will come from the government. OF COURSE, this is only if your are on PR and have access to medicare! So you do not have to wait for it, or claim it, you get it immediately.

If you do not take out private medical cover, then at some stage you get penalised for it, and then instead of only having to contribute 1,5% of your gross salary to medicare, you are going to be slugged with 2,5% per annum. When you render your annual tax return, you are required to attach your certificate from your private medical to prove that you have private cover. I am not sure exactly how this works, perhaps there is a fundi on this website who has more insite into this situation.

Here is a link to the Medicare website, for those that wish to explore it!

http://www.medicare.gov.au/public/index.jsp

[Antoinette]

Mara, you can tell her all the stories you want, under the guise of "information". It is not the ins and out of Medicare that makes people come. It is the fact that the government cares enough to provide. It is the values that people have here that makes this country so great. If a person has shifty values they will never understand that and they will never understand why people come here.

Unlike you I smell a rat. Unlike you I do mind.

Jenny is not interested in the truth. She just hasn't heard yet what she wants to hear.

Jenny, in the language you will understand. Nothing you have read on this forum is true. It is just a big Australian marketing "strategy" aimed at decieving people. Do you feel at home now!

And never mind soapboxes, what is it with all the butt kissing?

[MannyT]

Mara, you can tell her all the stories you want, under the guise of "information". It is not the ins and out of Medicare that makes people come. It is the fact that the government cares enough to provide. It is the values that people have here that makes this country so great. If a person has shifty values they will never understand that and they will never understand why people come here.

Unlike you I smell a rat. Unlike you I do mind.

Jenny is not interested in the truth. She just hasn't heard yet what she wants to hear.

Jenny, in the language you will understand. Nothing you have read on this forum is true. It is just a big Australian marketing "strategy" aimed at decieving people. Do you feel at home now!

And never mind soapboxes, what is it with all the butt kissing?

Bravo, bravo Antoinette to all your replies to this topic.

Sales and marketing, ........... strategy.........number of replies, number of views, number of hits, makes one feel a bit like a guinea pig does it not For a split second I almost felt like I was back at Business School.

My decision to emigrate to Australia was I believe an informed and concious one and it certainly was not based (predicated on?)other peoples good or bad experiences. May I suggest that this may in fact be a good/(the best) "strategy" for other/fellow emigrants to adopt.

The sun is shining and it is another beautiful day in Adelaide. .

Enjoy!

Manny

Edited April 8, 2009 by MannyT

[Mara]

I am not here for a fight, I am not here for the butt kissing, which I guess is what Antoinette is hinting at, I am mostly here to keep the peace and stop the catfights!

I do not really care what members either think of me or whether or not they like me. When I was approached to become a host on this website, believe it or not, at first I declined. When I accepted, I said that I would do it to the best of my ability, and that is exactly what I try to do. Not for any glory, thanks or praise that may come my way. Get realistic folks, I have now posted nearly 3500 answers since inception, so obviously, I do what I was asked to do, and that was to pay it forward.

I do not expect everyone to think the same way about things, as I do. I do not expect everyone to see things the same way, as I do. I do not think that everyone's journey to Australia will be the same, but what I do know is that I genuinely wish that something like this website had been around for me to ask the questions when it was our turn to migrate fifteen years ago. It is not up to me to judge whether a question is 'good' or 'bad'. I do not waste my time trying to find 'hidden agenda's', all I do is answer the question, what they do with the answer is up to them.

Good manners are appreciated, there is no need to sling mud at each other, if you do not agree with a post, do not reply to it, move on! If you have an agenda about racism, politics, religion or just a problem with tolerance, then I suggest you join facebook or somewhere else where you can spend as much time as you like venting, because things are not written or done the way you think they should be.

[Cindylou]

Good manners are appreciated, there is no need to sling mud at each other, if you do not agree with a post, do not reply to it, move on! If you have an agenda about racism, politics, religion or just a problem with tolerance, then I suggest you join facebook or somewhere else where you can spend as much time as you like venting, because things are not written or done the way you think they should be.

Take a bow, Mara!

PS - have capitulated to the various members asking for a title change, as Jenny doesn't mind.

[Karen-in-Brisbane]

I am shocked and disappionted at the very unkind behaviour and responses by some of the forumites on this topic.

Antoinette - your comments are totally uncalled for...

[JennyG]

Thanks for changing the topic. I hope this will solve that issue now!

Can I please asked again only to contribute to this topic if it is valuable information! Myself and others can't waist our time on reading stuff re personnel attacks. Time is to precious.

Have a blessed day!

[MayC]

Good morning Mara

Thank you for the excellent info. I've read that the quality of dental care (and apparantly not covered by medical aid) is not great. How do they compare with ZA

Regards

May

[HouseInOz]

Dear JennyR

Things are as YOU perceive them to be. Other people's valuable feedback are still tainted by their own positive/negative experiences and possible agendas.

Keep to your original reasons for wanting to leave.

Sure, every country has its problems, but some countries have unique problems. Are YOU prepared to live life with it?

Visit Oz and get the gut feeling for it....or not.

Read Oz books, Oz magazines and Oz newspapers (all available online) about real life in Oz.

Make make friends with Ozzies (I am sure there might be some in SA or just online) and get their feedback.

Most of all, you sound like a great lady that can take on much. If you believe you can do it, YOU WILL.

My 2c worth.

[candivw]

Firstly I think that Antoniettes comments were very sarcastic and I hope she realises that next time she herself posts a question she may get some of her own medicine!

The forum is here to help people, I myself was EXTREMELY nervous about moving to oz, I also had doubts and worries...... its completely normal and it shouldnt be something others make fun of or respond sarcastically to. Loads of forum members have asked many many questions, and its the job of those here already to answer honestly and as HELPFULLY!! as possible.

[Mara]

Hi MayC

To have a normal filling will set you back around $150. To have a tooth capped around a $1000. To have a tooth removed around $90.

The dental care is actually excellent, the only problem is the cost is also excellent. If you need to have a lot of work done, it will pay you to shop around and get a quote, the most expensive is not always the best.

The reason that I say you should shop around is because that is what we did when my husband needed treatment. He wears dentures, top and bottom and had to have titanium pins fitted to his bottom jaw to keep his plate in place. We were quoted in the region of $25,000 to have it done in Melbourne. Yup, that is right, I did not add some zero's accidentally. I got onto the net and checked around, we eventually had the treatment done in Auckland, NZ for $5000, not as intrusive as the Melbourne treatment would have been and a much, much, better outcome also. The Melbourne treatment his dentures would have been permanently fixed and now they are a clip in clip out arrangement. So yes, it does pay to shop around for anything big that you need done.

I presume that if you live in a small town, that shopping around may be a bit of a problem, but in a big city there is enough dentists for you to make comparisons.

[miran]

I've got friends in OZ that visits South Africa every second year and they actually book all major dental work or specialists visits in SA during their holiday. According to them, it's much cheaper to pay it here cash and our private doctors and dentists can be compared with some of the best in the world. So if you can afford a visit to South Africa, maybe you should consider a rootcanal or two...

[JennyG]

Thanks for the compliment HouseInOz!

Miran, I think this is an excellent idea!!

Think it is also a good idea too have everything checked out before one officially immigrates!

[MayC]

Hi Mara

Yikes! That sounds like a pretty-penny. I will make sure our entire family goes for full check-ups and dentistry before leaving.

Keep up the good work! Your input is much appreciated

Regards

May

[Eva]

I haven't read through all these replies (not going to) but to give Jenny R MY take on MY life (and my husband and 3 kids) in Australia ~ we totally love it here. Admittedly its only been a little over two months, and I am still waiting for my emotional downer, but my husband enjoys his job, he works for a fantastic company, back massages and gym thrown in, with friendly people. They haven't become our friends, but they are friendly and kind, loaned us all sorts of furniture and stuff until our container arrived.

My eldest son (17) totally LOVES it here. He is enjoying school, and even though he felt kind of sad when all his friends back at Westville Boys High had their Matric Dance last month, he wouldn't change it for the world. He still keeps contact with all of them on mixit, and one of his friends was held up in his home when he was off school on Thursday. His mates back home all envy him his new life here in Australia.

Middle son loves it. Is delighted he has jumped a grade, can have long hair and goes to a co-ed school.

My 6 year old took the longest to settle, but seems to have adjusted just fine now.

I really love where we live, feel totally at home, have met wonderful friendly Mothers at my son's school. I help out with reading once a week, and other than the fact that kids with head lice seem to go to school, have no complaints about the school system.

We don't have a fence around our house, I leave the windows open when I go out, with no burglar alarm. I didn't really 'fear' too much back in South Africa, but living here is really liberating, you can go for a walk, any time of the day or night, take the kids to the park, and you don't have any worries.

And only when you experience it will you know what I mean.

Life is simpler in most ways for me. Our house is tiny, easier to clean, but our family are closer as we are physically closer.

We love it.

Nowhere is perfect.

Feel free to ask me any questions, and I promise you, you will always get an honest reply from me.

[Ajay]

I haven't been active on the forum for the longest time, mostly due to insane work pressure, but I'm going to try and do my best and contribute a little more fully again, as I did for the first 30 months after I arrived.

JennyR - my personal view is that anyone specifically asking for NEGATIVE experiences to be included in feedback, and expanding on that request by explaining that you are looking for honesty, is looking for a way out and just needs some external support. In much the same way, those asking about what is POSITIVE about an experience are typically planning on doing something and are just after some external raitification of their decision.

For this reason, I will support some of the views here that you are, in all likelihood, not ready to make this move at the moment. That's not to say that you never will be, but right now, I think you'd struggle. You seem to place more value on the feedback that you've gotten from people who haven't adapted and brush them with the honesty broom, implicitly implying that those who are happy and well adjusted are somehow selling a story to cover up their own unhappiness. It isn't new - I've seen it many times, but in all cases, these people either decided not to make the move, or went ahead anyway with devastating personal results. Please don't follow in their footsteps - hold back until you are 110% confident that this is the right decision for you.

Ajay

[JennyG]

Thanks Eva and Ajay for both off your inputs!

Ajay, you are right! I thought a lot about everything and all in all I think I will regret if I move over NOW! Thus not saying that I will and do not want to move over in the future. I've got a lot to digest and a lot to make myself loose from here in SA. The day when I'm leaving SA behind, I want to be 100% sure!

Thank you!

[patrice]

Firstly I think that Antoniettes comments were very sarcastic and I hope she realises that next time she herself posts a question she may get some of her own medicine!

The forum is here to help people, I myself was EXTREMELY nervous about moving to oz, I also had doubts and worries...... its completely normal and it shouldnt be something others make fun of or respond sarcastically to. Loads of forum members have asked many many questions, and its the job of those here already to answer honestly and as HELPFULLY!! as possible.

just a few more FACTS !!!

Excuse me ---- Candi, Veiled 'threats' are not nessasary either (pot-kettle-black) - but more importantly - please DONT tell us what our 'jobs' are - people contribute freely of their own will .......... !!!!! and again DONT imply that we dont answer HONESTLY !!! what the heck is with you guys ??? to actually insult the people you expect to help you - sjoe !

Jenney et. al. - you seem to forget that you are asking, and it is you that are relying on the good kind people here, who have the experience, to take their time to answer and help you. You seem to have forgotten this fact, as by your attitude and Candi's telling us what or 'jobs' are above, and on top of that you both imply that we are a bunch of liars - - sjoe .... I can't actually believe you guys can be so arrogant !!!

Antoniette - I FULLY AGREE with you - maybe stay in SA if you can try to justify dishonesty as a 'strategy' or try to justify it (like zuma) by any other name - and don't bring that attitude to OZ !!!!

Edited April 7, 2009 by patrice

[JennyG]

The day when I'm leaving SA behind, I want to be 100% sure!

By the way, will one ever be 100% sure? Will there ever be a right time to move over? It is like telling someone you don't want to get married now because you do not have enough money, or you don't want children now because you do not have enough money. Will you ever have enough money? So I was just wondering, will I ever get that feeling of 100% surety?

Edited April 7, 2009 by JennyR

[Omzig]

JennyR, I see that you started replying to your own messages, so, may I respectfully suggest that you seek some external professional help with these questions? A psychologist may help you sort out your inner conflict.