Useful info and links
For anyone else looking for advice, I have had a pretty useful email reply from somebody at Diabetes Australia:
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for your email.
To assist you to understand the Australian health system (Medicare), here in Australia, I have included some websites that may be of interest. This should give you a clearer understanding of what visitors to Australia can access and what restrictions there are. You will first have to see a General Practitioner, before seeing a specialist if you require one. Medical centres are located throughout suburbs and can be located by looking up various websites or telephone books.
Please visit the
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements website for information regarding our reciprocal agreements with various countries. If we do have a reciprocal agreement with your country then you would be able to receive reduced price consumables.
Under our Medicare system a portion of the amount you pay is refundable. A list of the medications available in Australia are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
http://pbs.gov.au/browse/medicine-listing . Medications vary in price, you will need to shop around the pharmacies when you arrive.
I would recommend that you bring letters from your doctor with you, and register with Medicare as soon as you arrive. When you have a Medicare number you will need to also register on the NDSS
http://www.ndss.com.au/ to receive further subsidies. Calling 1300 136 588 will put you in touch with people who can assist you when you arrive.
If there is no reciprocal agreements with your country, unfortunately you will not be eligible for access to Government subsidised services and diabetes products.
You will be required to pay a fee for service for any health professional appointment , such as a doctor or endocrinologist. Medications such as insulin would also be charged at a retail price through pharmacy. Therefore, we would encourage you to consider local private health or travel insurance that may cover costs incurred whilst visiting Australia. Private Health Insurance is available within Australia, there are many providers, types of insurance, costs and often there may be a waiting period before you may be eligible to claim expenses incurred or exceptions for “pre –existing” conditions.
As the costs incurred would be at a retail or fee for service basis, there is significant variability and it is not possible for us to provide guidance on what expenses may be experienced by you. We would also suggest that you bring an appropriate quantity of medical supplies with you to ensure your management regime is maintained. Most insulin’s such as NovoRapid, Lantus or Humalog are available.
For more specific questions, as you have asked you will need to contact the National Information Line on 1300 136 588 after arrival.
The following website may assist with your questions regarding customs
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4224.asp if you have questions regarding customs you will need to contact them directly
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5834.asp .
Other helpful information may be found on our website:
http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ .
I hope this information is helpful.
Kind Regards
Barbara Channell
Reception
Diabetes Australia
I have had a look at the website she advises for available medication and can confirm that Humalog and Glargine are both available (what I use). It also shows the price for consumers per pack of 5 cartridges (around ?21), so it's not that bad really. Nothing about testing strips though, which I think will be the most draining, unfortunately.
http://pbs.gov.au/browse/medicine-listing?initial=i (Humalog is under Insulin lispro)
Hope this is useful to anyone else!
