Long story short, if university in the US doesn't end up working out, there's a job that I can get that will be pretty close to what I love doing with a pretty decent pay, but it involves becoming a Hong Kong resident, which I think I can do if I talk my way with my potential employer. Then it'd be off to Australia (Adelaide) for a year's training, and then to Hong Kong for 4-6 more months of training and then I'd be a second officer for Cathay Pacific. As far as I know, Hong Kong does recognise transpeople as their preferred gender, however cannot change birth certificates (which is irrelevant because I hold a birth certificate from California which I plan to change over the summer.) I'm concerned, if I do end up taking this path, how will this affect transition? How would I switch everything over to Australia with still retaining my HRT prescription (should hopefully get it today!) and my status as full time and not have to restart the year and therapy to receive a new prescription? And what about healthcare? Does Australia's NHS provide healthcare even though I'm only going to be a year? What do they cover? And finally, does anyone know anything about Hong Kong's healthcare system? All I know about it is the public system is more commonly used than the private system, and is called the DH/HA (Department of Health/Hospital Authority.)

I'm not sure when, if, like I said, university doesn't work out for me, I'd be able to go to an application interview (maybe I'll get props if I fly CX in, if I'm not already provided transportation ) so this is kind of a backburner thought, but I wanted to get some base information since I couldn't find much on the internet.

If you have an existing script there should be no problems in Australia. If you want to start HRT in Adelaide you need to go through the SA gender reassignment clinic and there is a waiting list to see the psychiatrists who practice informed consent, but if you are already reassigned it isn't an issue. You just need a referral from a local doctor to the endocrinologists which is a formality.

As an Australian resident you would be covered by the healthcare system, we usually have to pay a 'gap' fee for prescriptions, I forget how much but I pay something like $50 for a 6 month E implant, the rest, I think about $150 is covered by the system.

As a transgender woman you are legally recognised as female in Australia, it is no issue here and there is no discrimination at a legal level and socially I have had no discrimination whatsoever.  Any discrimination on gender, race, religion etc is illegal.

I'm not sure about the HK health system but I know a couple of women in HK and they seem to have no issues.

Shouldn't be a problem with the script, I should be getting it today, finally. I can also request my doctor physically give me a copy if that's needed too.

Even if I'm only there for training for 55 weeks?

Likely it would end up that I would be having SRS during said stay in Australia. How does the government handle that? Do they help pay? As you said before, it's not required for legal recognition, correct?

Could you help me get in touch with them, perhaps? I don't know anyone who lives in Hong Kong let alone even been there, so any help would be nice.

Quote from: Cindy on March 24, 2014, 11:58:24 AM
As an Australian resident you would be covered by the healthcare system...

Wouldn't she need to apply to be a resident though? If she was there for training would that count? I'm not up on immigration law, but if she was here for training it would probably need to be reflected in her visa as 'study' which might not allow for residency (and therefore access to Medicare). I'd suggest directing some questions to the Australian consulate ASAP.

As far as I know the Australian government does not cover SRS, that is private insurance only.

Quote from: Ms Grace on March 24, 2014, 01:50:24 PMWouldn't she need to apply to be a resident though? If she was there for training would that count? I'm not up on immigration law, but if she was here for training it would probably need to be reflected in her visa as 'study' which might not allow for residency (and therefore access to Medicare). I'd suggest directing some questions to the Australian consulate ASAP.

As far as I know the Australian government does not cover SRS, that is private insurance only.

I'm not certain of the fact either. It'll require some checking out. I also know that my potential employer offers a health package described as "comprehensive," but I know not whether that includes SRS, nor if it is applicable while in training.

Our government helps very little, it's barely worth mentioning.

Try and get a residence in United Kingdom, we are looked after there, surgery is fully covered in the NHS. It's also my plan as I'm an Irish and Australian citizen.

Good luck in your great career opportunity.

Quote from: Lauren5 on March 24, 2014, 01:16:31 PM
Shouldn't be a problem with the script, I should be getting it today, finally. I can also request my doctor physically give me a copy if that's needed too.

Even if I'm only there for training for 55 weeks?

Likely it would end up that I would be having SRS during said stay in Australia. How does the government handle that? Do they help pay? As you said before, it's not required for legal recognition, correct?

Could you help me get in touch with them, perhaps? I don't know anyone who lives in Hong Kong let alone even been there, so any help would be nice.