In Australia, we’re looked after by a healthcare system that has two parts: a public system and private system.
Public Healthcare System
The public system, run by the government through Medicare, is paid for by our taxes. It covers things like:
- seeing a doctor or specialist
- getting medical tests like x-rays or blood tests
- taking prescription medicines
- being treated in a public hospital
There are a couple of things to remember about public healthcare and Medicare:
| 1. |
You won’t pay anything to go to a public hospital, but you might not get to choose which hospital, or which doctors treat you. Also, you might have to go on the Public Hospital Waiting List and wait a while for your treatment – although if it’s an emergency you’ll be treated straight away. |
| 2. |
Medicare doesn’t usually cover the full cost of doctor’s visits, tests and prescription medicines, so you might have to pay some money towards the cost of these things. |
For more information about Medicare click here.
Private Healthcare System
The private, or non-government part of the healthcare system, is made up of private hospitals, private health insurance companies and other health providers like dentists. Medicare doesn’t pay for these.
The private heathcare system includes things like:
- treatment in a private hospital
- ambulance trips
- dentistry
- eyeglasses and
- treatments like physio and acupuncture
If you get sick and want or need things like these you can get them through the private health system and pay for them yourself or get private health insurance to help cover the cost.
There are some things to remember about the private healthcare system:
| 1. |
You won’t have to wait on a Public Hospital Waiting List to attend a private hospital. |
| 2. |
You can choose which hospital and which doctors treat you. |
| 3. |
If you take out private health insurance to help pay for your treatment, you might have to wait a while before you’re covered. That’s called a Waiting Period. |
For more information about Australia's Healthcare System
- Visit the Department of Health and Ageing website
- Visit the Medicare Australia website