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Healthcare in Australia: cost & waiting times

Mixed public / private

Medicare covers public hospital care free and subsidises GP and specialist fees through the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Around 45% of people also hold private hospital insurance — pushed by tax settings — for choice of doctor and shorter elective waits.

Emergency number: 000 (112 from a mobile)

How residents get care

  1. Get a Medicare card — Residents and citizens of countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement are eligible. Link it in myGov.
  2. See a GP — If the practice 'bulk-bills' there's no fee; otherwise you pay and Medicare rebates part. GPs refer you to specialists — a referral is needed for the Medicare rebate.
  3. Public vs private for procedures — Public hospital elective surgery is free but categorised and queued. Private hospital cover lets you choose your surgeon and timing, with out-of-pocket 'gaps'.
  4. healthdirect 1800 022 222 — A 24-hour nurse advice line.

Official waiting-time source

Public elective surgery is triaged: Category 1 within 30 days, Category 2 within 90 days, Category 3 within 365 days. Category 2 and 3 targets are frequently missed; private patients wait far less.

AIHW MyHospitals + state elective-surgery waiting-time reports ↗

MilestoneReference
Elective surgery — Category 2 (target)90 days (~13w)
Elective surgery — Category 3 (target)365 days (~52w)
Public specialist outpatient appointment (variable)90 days (~13w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

ItemTypical range
Private GP visit — out-of-pocket gapA$30–A$50
Private specialist consultationA$90–A$300
Private MRIA$300–A$600
Cataract surgery, per eye (private)A$3,000–A$4,000
Hip replacement (private, total)A$20,000–A$30,000

Prescriptions

The PBS subsidises medicines; the patient co-payment is up to about A$31.60 (general) or A$7.70 (concession) per item in 2024, with a Safety Net cap once annual spending passes a threshold.

Visiting Australia?

The UK, Ireland, New Zealand and several European countries have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia — you get medically necessary treatment in the public system. The USA, Canada and most of the Americas do not.

Emergencies Call 000. Public emergency departments treat you. Ambulance transport is NOT covered by Medicare or most RHCAs and can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars — check your travel insurance covers it.

Official links

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