Retiring from Australia
Retiring in the Philippines from Australia
The Philippines is a short flight from Australia, and its cost of care is very different. This guide explains what happens to your Age Pension and Medicare when you live here, and what care at Bambu Harmony Living in Tanauan City, Batangas costs in Australian dollars.
Your Age Pension in the Philippines
The Age Pension can be paid while you live outside Australia. After 26 weeks away, your rate depends on your Australian working life residence: the years you lived in Australia between age 16 and Age Pension age.
With 35 years or more, your rate generally stays the same. With less, it may drop to a proportional rate. For example, 20 years gives about 20/35ths of the normal rate. Your Energy Supplement stops and your Pensioner Concession Card is cancelled after 6 weeks away. Tell Services Australia before you leave.
Medicare does not cover you in the Philippines
Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries, and the Philippines is not one of them. Medicare does not pay for treatment or care here. Plan for health insurance that covers you in the Philippines, or for paying yourself.
Getting here from Australia
Nonstop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Manila take about 8 to 9 hours; from other cities you connect once. Bambu Harmony Living is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Manila’s NAIA airport.
You can read more about the drive from the airport and the hospitals near us.
What care at Bambu Harmony Living costs
We offer Independent Living, Assisted Living and Specialized Memory Care, with 24/7 resident support. Monthly rates start at:
- Independent Living: ₱95,000 (about A$2,150)
- Assisted Living: ₱110,000 (about A$2,500)
Converted at the exchange rate of 16 October 2026. Your final rate depends on your care level.
In residential aged care in Australia, the basic daily fee alone comes to about A$2,100 a month, plus accommodation, and a means-tested care fee can apply (Australian Government fees and charges for residential aged care). The services and rooms are not the same, so use this as a guide.
For your estimated care level, start with the free care assessment on the contact page. See also how our costs compare and our guide to the SRRV retirement visa.
Questions
Questions from Australia
- Can I keep my Age Pension if I live in the Philippines?
- Yes, it can be paid while you live outside Australia. After 26 weeks away, your rate depends on how long you lived in Australia between age 16 and Age Pension age: with 35 years or more it generally stays the same; with less it may be paid at a proportional rate.
- Does Medicare cover me in the Philippines?
- No. The Philippines is not one of the 11 countries with a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, so Medicare does not pay for treatment or care here.
- How much does Bambu Harmony Living cost in Australian dollars?
- Independent Living starts at ₱95,000 a month (about A$2,150) and Assisted Living at ₱110,000 a month (about A$2,500). These are starting rates; your final rate depends on your care level.
Rules change. We checked these facts in October 2026 against the official sources below. Check with the agency before you move.
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