Healthcare in Australia

Australia has a world class healthcare system that is split into the public health care system called Medicare there is a private sectors which consists of a network of privately owned and operated hospitals, medical centres and health care providers, the cost of which can be partly covered by private health insurance.

Public healthcare (Medicare)

As a permanent resident, you will receive immediate entitlement to public healthcare, administered through a government scheme called Medicare. This is an Australia-wide health insurance scheme, funded through income tax.

Through Medicare, you receive:

• Free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital;
• Free or subsidised treatment by doctors in a general practice; and
• Subsidies on some medicines and treatment by participating specialists.

Medicare is Australia's national healthcare program. It is part funded by a levy on income and for eligible people it provides access to free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital. Eligible people are also entitled to free or subsidised medical treatment by doctors, specialists and participating optometrists.

Private health insurance

Australian residents and immigrants with permanent resident status who have Medicare eligibility can choose from a vast range of private health insurance products provided by over 40 health benefits organisations. Australian residents who are eligible for Medicare are entitled to receive a 30 per cent rebate on private health insurance premiums.

People with private health insurance receive benefits such as choice of doctor, choice of hospital and shorter waiting periods for non-urgent procedures. Private health insurance can also help with the cost of services such as dental, optical, physiotherapy and podiatry services.

The costs and types of private health cover available vary greatly and therefore it is very important that you check the details of cover carefully prior to taking out a policy.

Medicare eligibility

Medicare is available to all Australian residents, holders of Australian citizenship, and people who have been issued with a permanent visa.

To enroll in Medicare you must take your passport and travel documents to a Medicare office. Details of Medicare office locations can be found using the Australian White Pages telephone directory. If all enrolment requirements are met, you will be issued a Medicare card number and a Medicare card.

Getting treatment

Emergency treatment can be obtained through some medical centres or the emergency departments of hospitals. For details of public and private hospitals, search under 'Hospitals' in the Australian White Pages telephone directory. If hospital treatment is required, patients should take their Medicare card or private health insurance membership card with them.

For non-emergency medical situations patients should first visit a family doctor (also referred to as a "General Practitioner" or "GP") or a medical centre.