Aged parents migration, services and costs

[GoodVibez]

Hi there. I was hoping someone might be able to share some info and experience.

I am a single child and both my parents are looking to migrate to join me and my family in Australia, Perth, WA. Not sure exactly which visa to try, potentially an aged parent visa.

My dad has had mental health issue on and off all his life which presently manifest themselves as a form of bipolar. He gets pretty hight for around 3 months on the year and a simular patch low.

My mum and I are worried about him leaving his support services behind in the UK and what might be on offer in Perth.

Can anyone help us with these questions;

What are the services like in Perth for this type of condition? Are the comparable to the UK?

Is there any form of support workers to visit him when he's having on a high?

Is there any rest bite care if he needs somewhere to go and be looked after?

Secondly, if coming on an aged parent visa, what might be the costs? Are they able to claim via the reciprocal agreement with the UK or Medicare? Or will they have to pay themselves the full amount, which might be an issues for them as retirees?

Any advice or support appreciated if anyone been through a similar situation.

Many thanks

[james1]

Hello GoodVibez,

Sorry, I am not sure what the services are like in Perth or migration. Maybe someone else here might know a bit more.

I had a quick look at this website which seems to say there are different visas which can and cannot get it. Perhaps you could try and give them a call or visit Centrelink to ask?

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/enrolling-medicare-if-youre-australian-permanent-resident?context=60092

You could also try asking your GP the next time you visit about what kind of local services are available for bipolar disorder. I think the health system tends to be focussed around GP as the first point of call, and the lynchpin of support, so they tend to be able to help out with these kinds of things.

I hope you are doing well!

James

[GoodVibez]

Thanks James. Asking my GP is a goof suggestion. I'll give that a try.

[geoff]

Hello GoodVibez, maybe you can correct me, but in the UK doesn't everyone pay a small amount of money each week which entitles them to free health, which would include any mental illness, I realise we have Medicare but to have an operation means you're put on a waiting list and people who pay medical health insurance are given the first option.

Reciprocal Health Cover – Basic is designed for overseas visitors holding a Reciprocal Medicare Card when you only need basic hospital cover to supplement your working overseas visitors cover.

I would suggest you do what James has said and it would be great to know what happens.

Geoff.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi GoodVibez,

Welcome and thanks for joining us.

I'm not sure what the services are currently like in the UK and how they compare. James and Geoff have great ideas in visiting the website, looking into the visa and talking to your GP.

I did find a couple of extra resources that I'll share here:-

https://myservices.org.au/

https://waamh.org.au/support

You can filter here through services, postcode and distance. If your Dad is over 65 he might be eligible for the Older Persons Mental Health Service (there's one in every state), while Carer Gateway (Carers Australia) offer tailored packages that can include services such as planned respite.

Lots of things to look at but I don't want to overwhelm you! Good luck with your GP.

rt