Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pastelpainter on September 18, 2010 at 2:03pm

I don't live in Sydney, I live on the other side of Australia in Perth. However, I can assure you that your diabetes care will be good. Australia, especially Sydney and Melbourne, is a land of foodies and fresh is fashionable right now, you will find lots of markets and fresh veggie shops wherever you live in NSW. Enjoy the move and exploring your new environment.

Permalink Reply by J. Davis Harte on September 25, 2010 at 9:08pm

Thanks for the reply Pastel. Are you a painter/artist? I have dabbled quite a bit in various arts myself...miss it now that I've been submersed in graduate (post-grad) studies for 'so long'.

I so enjoyed my time in WA a few years ago - we were in Freemantle for a conference my dh attended. Made me wonder then if I could live in Australia someday. We went down to Margaret River area, but didn't get a chance to make it up to Perth.

We're still debating all the pros and cons of moving. It's not easy! I would just jump at the chance, if it weren't for reassuring my dh that my diabetes needs can be met. Since I'll be on a visa that's tied in with dh's NZ citizenship (461, if you care to know) - apparently I won't be eligible for Medicare. Can I even get on private insurance with T1? I have a back stock of pump supplies and sensors, but they will run out eventually. Do Aussies get their sensors and pump supplies covered by private insurance?

'll be eligible to work - but i recognize the reality of settling in (with our 1 year old!) and all the intricacies of finding a job and child care - so I can't count on that income or the employer providing me with health care options.

DH is needing to let them know his answer - I've not done enough research on this and am feeling anxious about giving my final input on my d care. It's weighing heavily on our decision. Thanks for having a place to let me think through it! I'm going to call a few private companies tomorrow to get some direct answers.

I

:DH

Permalink Reply by Pastelpainter on September 26, 2010 at 3:54pm

You will have to make enquiries about private insurance, I have no certain knowledge about this. Can you not get your own visa to enter Australia as a temporary resident, then I think you would be covered by Medicare.
I don't have private insurance and am not on a pump. We join Diabetes Australia and get a lot of discounted or free equipment from NDSS, Check out Diabetes Australia on the net. The other thing to consider is getting your supplies by mail, I am sure you would be able to get insulin prescribed by a local GP. You also need to contact Medicare to see what you would really be eligible for in Australia. Do not rely on hearsay.

Yes, I am an artist, but haven't used pastels for quite a while now.

Permalink Reply by J. Davis Harte on January 11, 2011 at 1:52pm

Just to update...we are now awaiting my Visa, beginning the purge/packing and are finalizing dates for our move. Michael will be in Oz starting mid-February, leaving Freya and I in Oregon to finish taking care of resettling business. We hopefully will fly over with him (he'll probably be returning to Oregon for a conference) in mid-March. We'll start living in the temporary accommodations provided by his work (WWF-Australia) when we arrive and begin looking for the best fit for us, neighborhood-wise. We're waffling between a more community-minded neighborhood (like Glebe) and one closer to the beach. Freya is learning to swim and we want to spend lots of time at the water. Our only real *must* is that Michael will be close to his work, which is in CBD.

Meanwhile - my thoughts and prayers go out to all who are suffering or struggling with the flooding that is going on right now. A big Earth Mama cleanse, which isn't always pleasant!

Permalink Reply by John on March 3, 2011 at 10:25pm

Hi I moved to Australia over a year ago from Philadelphia. Since I have dual citizenship pump supplies are cheap via socialized medicine............But Glucose sensors cost $75 per sensor in Australia and must be paid for out of pocket as the Australian gov't does not subsidize sensors yet. I went from using a 722 with CGM for years nonstop in the states then moving overhere and realizing that socialized medicine isn't good for diabetics who use Symlin (Unapproved in Oz) or are unable to afford the ripoff price of $75 per sensor. This is my only complaint about Australia besides that I love it. But the idea that I might have anything less that complete acess to all of the latest tools for fighting this pain in the ass disease disgusts me and is completley unacceptable. Fortunatley I always have the option of moving back but I like Australia and hopefully the politicians realize that it's 2011.