Moving to Australia

Scamp
Scamp Member Posts: 4
edited 30. Jul 2025, 10:39 in Living with arthritis

Hi all,

My husband has been offered a job in Australia (minimum 2 year contract). I currently take Hydroxychloroquine and the biologic Cimzia. From the initial research I have completed they both seem to be covered by Australian PBS which limits the amount you have to pay per year, but I just wondered if anyone had prior experience of moving to Australia and getting medication sorted?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Loggiemod
    Loggiemod Member Posts: 245

    Hello @Scamp our daughter emigrated to Australia last year and whist she isn't on the same meds as you she hasn't had any probles getting her medicines.

  • Username1
    Username1 Member, Unconfirmed Posts: 1

    Hi I'm also thinking on moving Australia and in cimzia myself, and been doubting how I will managed with getting my medicine over there, are you able to get your medicine and how did you manage it?

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,996

    A quick Hi and welcome to the online community @Username1

    Hopefully @Scamp will spot your post and let you know how they got on. They have been active this year so fingers crossed for you.

    I hope you manage to get to Australia and have a wonderful life out there.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • Scamp
    Scamp Member Posts: 4

    Hi @Username1

    We didn't make the move due to other reasons, but this is what I found out at the time. Hope it's helpful!

    • CIMZIA is available in Australia but would need to find a doctor to prescribe this (suggest getting a detailed treatment handover from current doctor)
    • Cost - expensive, however highly funded by Medicare – as such certain conditions must be met to receive it and an application submitted for this to be issued through Medicare: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/arthritis-rheumatoid-arthritis?context=23021
    • As a British citizen you are entitled to reciprocal health care and once onshore can immediately apply for Medicare however this can take 2 months to come through so would need to go on private health cover initially. It might be worth contacting a private health provider like Bupa to see if this would be covered for that interim period.

    Here’s some more links that might be useful:

    • https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/3425g
    • https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/medication-search/certolizumab/
    • https://mydr.com.au/medicines/cimzia/

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