Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 000 for ambulance, fire, police. Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24/7 non-emergency health advice in most states. Ambulance cover is essential — ambulance costs are shocking without it (free only in QLD and TAS). In remote areas, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides emergency evacuation.
Response time: 7-15 minutes in metro areas, 15-45+ minutes in regional areas, hours in remote outback/indigenous communities
Cost: Public ER: free for Medicare/reciprocal holders. Without Medicare: $500-2,000+ AUD. Ambulance: $400-3,000+ (NOT included in Medicare in most states — varies by state). Private ER: $300-1,000+.
Healthcare System
Australia's Medicare provides universal healthcare for citizens and permanent residents, funded by a 2% income levy. However, visitors are NOT covered by Medicare unless from a country with a reciprocal agreement (UK, Ireland, NZ, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia). Without Medicare, all healthcare costs are out-of-pocket. Bulk-billing (free) GP clinics are rapidly declining — most practices now charge a gap fee. The private sector is strong, with private health insurance encouraged through tax incentives. Rural and remote healthcare relies on the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Designed for: Australian residents and citizens. Limited reciprocal agreements (UK, Ireland, NZ, etc.).
GP Access & Costs
Book appointments or walk-in at medical centres. Bulk-billing (free) clinics exist but declining rapidly — most charge $30-60 AUD gap. Telehealth widely available.
Typical wait: Urban: same-day to 3 days. Regional: 1-2 weeks. After-hours GP clinics in most cities. Telehealth: same-day.
Availability: Good in metro areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). Significant GP shortages in regional and rural areas. Use HotDoc or HealthEngine apps to find available appointments. After-hours GP services (13SICK/National Home Doctor) provide home visits.
GP Visit
Bulk-billed (free) at declining number of clinics
Private GP
$60-120 AUD per consultation ($80-150 after-hours). Bulk-billed (free) clinics increasingly rare.
ER Without Insurance
Public ER: $500-2,000+ AUD. Ambulance: $400-3,000+ (state-dependent). Hospital stay: $1,500-3,000+/day. ICU: $5,000+/day.
Medication
PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) subsidises medications for Medicare holders ($31.60/script, $7.70 concession). Visitors pay full price — can be very expensive ($20-200+ per item).
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat mornings. Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and TerryWhite open later (until 8-9pm). 24-hour pharmacies in CBD areas of major cities.
OTC: Pharmacists can supply Schedule 2 medications (paracetamol, basic antihistamines) and Schedule 3 "pharmacist-only" medications (stronger painkillers, some antibiotics for UTIs) after consultation. Codeine reclassified to prescription-only since 2018.
Controlled substances: Strict TGA controls on opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. Travellers must carry a doctor's letter and may need an import permit from the TGA for medications containing more than 3 months' supply. Some common medications (pseudoephedrine) are restricted.
Practical Tips
- Check if your country has a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement — UK, Ireland, NZ, and 8 others qualify for limited Medicare
- Student visa holders MUST have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) — it's a visa condition
- Get ambulance cover separately — it's NOT included in Medicare in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, NT, or ACT
- Use HotDoc or HealthEngine apps to find and book GP appointments online
- Call 13SICK (13 74 25) for after-hours GP home visits in most capital cities
- Chemist Warehouse is the cheapest pharmacy chain — prices vary significantly between pharmacies
Who can get care in Australia?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Australia treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Book appointments or walk-in at medical centres. Bulk-billing (free) clinics exist but declining rapidly — most charge $30-60 AUD gap. Telehealth widely available. Typical cost: Bulk-billed (free) at declining number of clinics. Standard: $60-120 AUD gap fee. After-hours: $80-150. Telehealth: $50-100. Typical wait: Urban: same-day to 3 days. Regional: 1-2 weeks. After-hours GP clinics in most cities. Telehealth: same-day.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Proof of medical insurance is required for entry or for a visa to Australia.
Documents worth having ready
- Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OSHC) — mandatory for student visas
- Travel insurance with adequate medical and evacuation coverage
- Medicare card (if eligible through reciprocal agreement — UK, Ireland, NZ, etc.)
- Health examination results and HAP ID (for visa application)
- Yellow fever certificate (if from endemic country)
- Ambulance cover (essential — not included in Medicare in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, NT, ACT)
Local contacts in Australia
Emergency services
000
Call 000 for ambulance, fire, police. Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24/7 non-emergency health advice in most states. Ambulance cover is essential — ambulance costs are shocking without it (free only in QLD and TAS). In remote areas, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides emergency evacuation.
Pharmacies
Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat mornings. Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and TerryWhite open later (until 8-9pm). 24-hour pharmacies in CBD areas of major cities.
Pharmacists can supply Schedule 2 medications (paracetamol, basic antihistamines) and Schedule 3 "pharmacist-only" medications (stronger painkillers, some antibiotics for UTIs) after consultation. Codeine reclassified to prescription-only since 2018.
What is the emergency number in Australia?
000 for all emergencies (police, fire, ambulance). 112 also works from mobile phones. In remote areas, consider carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator.
Is healthcare free in Australia for visitors?
Only if your country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia — this includes the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and 8 other countries. RHCA covers essential Medicare services and public hospital care. All other visitors need travel insurance.
Join the waitlist to see 3 more FAQs
Sources: Medicare Australia, Department of Health and Aged Care, Department of Home Affairs, CDC Travelers Health 2025, TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
Further Reading
How to Access Healthcare as an International Student
OSHC requirements and healthcare access for international students in Australia.
Read guideHealthcare in Singapore
Compare Australia with Singapore — two of the Asia-Pacific's best healthcare systems.
Read guideHealthcare in the United Kingdom
UK residents get reciprocal Medicare access in Australia — see both systems compared.
Read guide