Australian healthcare system may seem a bit complicated, moreover, it is changed from time to time.
Let’s make it simple.
Healthcare system has two major parts:
- The public health system or Medicare.
- The private health system.
The public health system includes
- public hospitals,
- community-based services,
- affiliated health organizations (owned by state and territory governments).
Australians access the public health system for free or at low cost through Medicare (https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/medicare). This system is funded local, state and federal governments (by tax).
The private system includes:
- private hospitals,
- specialist medical and allied health.
This system is partially funded by government and the other part is covered by private entities. Here is the combination of both:
- Private health insurance premiums (paid by customers),
- Private health organizations,
- People paying directly for private treatment,
- Government incentives on private health insurance,
- Other government and private funding.
When a patient gets to a hospital, he/she can be provided treatment through either the public or the private system.
Private Hospitals VS Public Hospitals
| Public Hospitals | Private Hospitals | |
| Can I go there in case of emergency? | Yes.
They are where a patient usually goes in case of an emergency. |
Most probably, no.
Some private hospitals have emergency departments, but not all of them. |
| Should I wait for a non-urgent treatment? | Most probably, yes.
You may need to wait longer until a space becomes available. |
Most probably, no.
You’ll have the reduced waiting time for elective or planned surgeries. |
| Can I choose a doctor? | No.
A doctor on-call will take care of you in most cases. |
Yes.
|
| Can I have a private room while my stay in a hospital? | No.
Most probably you’ll have a shared room while you recover. |
Yes.
In case of availability and medical appropriability this is up to you. |
Who pays for healthcare?
Public hospital costs
Most treatment in public hospitals is free for Australian citizens and permanent residents according to Medicare program.
Patients do not pay for:
- hospital clinical services,
- doctor’s fees,
- medication,
- accommodation,
- other operating fees.
Patients may have to pay some extra costs for:
- TV option,
- Internet connection.
In case a private patient goes to a public hospital, Medicare covers 75% of all costs listed in MBS (Medical Benefits Schedule – http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Home)
Private hospital costs
Medicare also covers 75% of all costs for treatments listed in MBS.
Private patients may have to pay for:
- intensive care,
- accommodation,
- operating fees,
- dressings and bandages,
- blood tests, x-rays or CT scans,
- medication,
- 25% of the doctors’ services fee,
- extra doctors’ fees.