[Skybluebrewer]

Make sure you bring all the required documents (Don't remember exactly but I know I brought the Aclnowledgement of Application Received to prove I applied for a permanent visa and my passport. There may have been more.)

You should refer to it as an 820/801 application. Medicare agents seem to get confused that the partner visa apps are actually for both temporary and permanent visas. Hence why it is an 820/801 app and not just an 820 app.

She certainly does not need to be on the bridging visa to apply for Medicare. All she needs is the acknowledgement letter that she applied 820/801 and whatever other documents needed like identity or Medicare application.

Keep in mind when she has the interim card that she'll need to update it with her doctor each time she gets a card with a new expiration date.

 

[Skybluebrewer]

They gave me a printout as a temporary card until the actual card arrived by post, so coverage was immediate.

 

[Skybluebrewer]

Got my medicare without any hassle at all except for some super long queue!

I just had to fill in the application form, provide them with my passport and visa grant letter, that's it. And I was told that I pretty much have to repeat this step until I get the green medicare card.

Anyway thanks so much!

You shouldn't have to repeat that step... They automatically send me a new interim card just before it expires each year. I've never had to go back into the office and show all the paperwork or reapply again.

 

[Skybluebrewer]

Guess I'm just lucky then. I've never had to go back and do it again and I've had three interim cards. Maybe I'll find out if they changed the process since then if I don't get a new card in 6 months!

 

[Skybluebrewer]

Hi there. My partner and I have lodged the 820/801 application on May 17, 2018. and I got the following correspondence:

IMMI Bridging Visa Grant Notification
IMMI Acknowledgement of Application Received

I'm still on a Work and Holiday visa which expires on February 9, 2019.

Can I apply to Medicare now or do I have to wait until my Work and Holiday visa expires?

Thanks!

As ampk said, you can apply now. The fact that you've made an application for a permanent visa is what makes you eligible for Medicare (so having applied for the 820/801, the 801 part being the application for a permanent visa).

 

[Skybluebrewer]

Hi Sky, do you know if this has since then changed? I just gave the Medicare office a call and she said it can take a couple of weeks to be covered as they have to approve the documents with immigration first?

No idea how it is now. I did mine a couple years ago. I'd imagine it hasn't changed. My coverage was immediate as the temporary printout they gave me was the same number on my card, just needed the card to be sent via post.