When it comes to immigrating to Australia, "high benefits" has always been a highly attractive label for this country. Recently, in the medical field, Australia's benefits have been upgraded again. The Australian Department of Health announced that starting from November 1, it will invest over AUD 86 million over the next four years to include more life-saving drugs for various cancers and multiple sclerosis into the Australian PBS drug subsidy system.
PBS, which stands for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, aims to provide Australian citizens with free (or subsidized) access to various life-saving medications. The Australian government adjusts the drug list annually based on actual circumstances, and currently, there are over 2,600 medications listed under the drug benefits program. As long as the medication is included in the program, regardless of its cost on the prescription, patients only need to pay a fixed amount, with the government covering the remaining costs.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt stated in a press release: "The Morrison government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that Australians can access affordable medications when they need them."
Starting from November 1, Mayzent® (siponimod) will be included in the drug benefits program for the first time, used for treating patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Without PBS subsidies, these patients would face annual treatment costs exceeding AUD 25,000; now, with PBS inclusion, patients only need to pay AUD 41 per dose, or AUD 6.6 with a concession card. Meanwhile, Uvadex® (methoxsalen), primarily used for treating patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who do not respond to other treatments, will also be included in PBS for the first time. Additionally, other PBS listings starting on November 1 will provide subsidies for Australians diagnosed with a rare lymphoma affecting the skin, allowing access to a new medication and specialized treatment.
Previously, the Australian Department of Health announced an investment of AUD 230 million to include the combination of Tecentriq and Avastin (atezolizumab and bevacizumab) for treating patients with unresectable advanced liver cancer into the subsidy system. Starting from November 1, many patients will benefit from this program, with expected savings of AUD 170,000 per treatment cycle for these patients. Australia will also be the first country in the world to provide public funding for such combination treatments for liver cancer. On the same day, the government also announced subsidies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and eye diseases.
The addition of new medications to PBS is a significant benefit for many patients. At the same time, Australia offers a wide range of social welfare and support allowances, including family allowances, youth allowances, unemployment benefits, maternity allowances, immunization allowances, parental benefits, child benefits, childcare subsidies, housing assistance, and more. In summary, Australia is a country with a well-established welfare system, providing a variety of benefits for immigrants.
As we know, Australia has always been a traditional immigration country. Over the past 30 years, the evolution of Australian immigration policy has seen increasing thresholds and tightening policies. For those intending to immigrate to Australia, they can choose suitable pathways based on their circumstances, such as the 188A visa, 188B visa, 188C visa, and 132A visa, all of which are favored by high-net-worth individuals from China. Once applicants meet the relevant criteria, they can apply for family immigration to Australia and enjoy numerous benefits. After obtaining Australian status, children can access high-quality education and gain broader opportunities for overseas development.
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