Healthcare in Australia

The healthcare in Australia is recognised as one of the best in the world, and it’s no surprise that the country has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. A hybrid of both public and private service provisions, Australia’s healthcare system is affordable and accessible.

Public healthcare in Australia

While the public healthcare system in Australia is efficient and world-class, there are still occasional queues and waiting lists for things like non-emergency surgery. The standards of rural and urban facilities may also differ. For those living far from a metro, it may be necessary to travel some distance to receive care for complicated or specialised cases.

For these reasons, most expats in Australia without permanent residency opt to use private doctors and hospitals. Temporary residents are also not eligible for the public healthcare system – Medicare – and without it, medical costs are on par with private facilities.

Australia has 31 primary health networks (PHNs). These networks organise public health services in different regions across the country. They also provide after-hours healthcare services and are a great option for urgent care.

Private healthcare in Australia

Most private healthcare package options specialise in surgery, particularly non-emergency surgeries, such as orthopaedic surgery.

If you’re moving to Australia, you’ll need to prove to the Australian authorities that you are adequately covered by a minimum level of private health insurance to be granted a working visa.

Even if you are a citizen of a country with a reciprocal health agreement, you must still take out health insurance coverage to qualify for your visa, since you can only enrol in Medicare once inside Australia.

Reciprocal health agreements only provide limited access to Australian healthcare services, and you should research the extent of coverage these provide. Generally, it is only limited to immediate necessary care.

Useful links

• Services Australia – Reciprocal Health Agreements

Health insurance in Australia

Most Australians have private health insurance to complement their Medicare coverage. There are two main types of private health insurance: hospital coverage and general treatment coverage. Hospital insurance covers some or all of the costs of a private hospital stay, while general treatment coverage pays for services not covered under Medicare, like physiotherapy, dental care, and optometry services.

Medicare

The government-supported healthcare system is called Medicare. It is available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents and is paid for by taxes levied on individual salaries. The Medicare scheme covers treatment in public hospitals and also offers complete or partial coverage of the cost of doctors’ consultations.

Although Medicare doesn’t require patients to visit certain doctors, you should note that you must first get a referral from a general practitioner for them to cover the consultation and procedure costs for specialist care. Doctors either bill Medicare directly or, if the patient settles it, they can claim the rebate from Medicare.

The increased use of private facilities decreases the strain on public facilities, which means Medicare occasionally offers certain rebates to residents who use private facilities.

With that said, not all medical care will necessarily be covered on the Medicare programme. We therefore recommend that you take out some form of private medical insurance.

Useful links

• Medicare

Pharmacies and medication in Australia

Pharmacies are easy to find in Australia, especially in the larger cities. Many pharmacies are open late or even around the clock.

You should note the generic name of any chronic medication before arriving in Australia, as brand names may vary from country to country.

Health hazards in Australia

Be aware of several health hazards when moving to Australia. Diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis have higher incidences in Australia than some expats may have experienced in their home countries. Depending on where in Australia, you may experience frequent bushfires, affecting your lung health.

Dengue fever may also be an issue in Australia’s more tropical regions. The country also has high UV radiation levels, which increase the risk of skin cancer. We recommend protective measures like wearing sunscreen and clothing that covers your arms and legs.

Vaccinations for Australia

If you’re moving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a vaccine is necessary to enter Australia. Beyond the routine vaccinations, the following vaccines are recommended for a safe trip to Australia:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Covid-19
• Meningitis
• Rabies

Those living in Australia’s rural areas should consider a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, particularly if you’ll be exposed to mosquito bites. Booster shots for influenza, Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR), and Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis).

Emergency services in Australia

The number to dial in case of an emergency is 000. The cost of ambulance rides is not usually covered by Medicare, even for permanent residents and citizens of Australia, making private insurance essential in case of emergencies.