How does healthcare work in Australia, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

What is the quality of healthcare in Australia?

Australia has an impressive public health system that is of high quality. Waiting times are short and many hospitals in the big cities are world famous. Of course, Australia is also the continent of the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service, a special service that takes care of the healthcare of the communities that live in the outback.
The Aboriginal community is underrepresented in Australian society. This community suffers from a high number of alcoholics, trauma and other medical conditions. Especially compared to the average white patient, the Aboriginal patient is much worse off. For example, this patient has a life expectancy of only 60 years; no less than 20 years shorter than that of a white Australian.
The most prominent health priorities at the moment, in addition to concerns about the condition of the Aboriginal population, are the prevention of cancer (particularly skin, lung, uterine and breast), cardiovascular disease and injury prevention.

The public healthcare system is called Medicare. It is funded by a levy on taxable income. Public hospitals are funded through the government and health services. It provides full hospital care for Australians and pays for a part of the cost of a visit to the General Practitioner (GP). Medicare provides subsidised care for Australian citizens, permanent residents and people from countries with a reciprocal healthcare treaty (such as the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK).
Medicare covers visits to the GP, treatment in public hospitals and some of the costs of specialists and diagnostic tests.
General information about Australian health care can be found on the Department of Health website.

Many Australians take out private health insurance, in addition to Medicare. This is mainly for coverage of non-Medicare services such as optical care, physiotherapy and dental care.
There are arrangements for "young people" to take out private insurance at a lower premium.
If you are not a permanent resident, or come from a country with a healthcare treaty, you must arrange your own private health insurance anyway.
Private healthcare offers faster access to specialists and treatments.

The first point of contact for health problems is the GP or FD (family doctor). The GP is the person who assesses the patient and coordinates the necessary care.
The GP can also refer you to a specialist. The referral from the GP is required for the costs to be covered by Medicare.
If you are affiliated with Medicare, you can visit any doctor's office in Australia. If you do not have Medicare, you will pay around AUD 70-150 for a visit.

Dental care options consist of both public and private clinics.
There are long waiting times for public dentists and most dental costs are not covered. For this reason, many people take out private health insurance with extra coverage.
Check the coverage of the various health insurance policies carefully.
Some people go abroad for dental care, because this is sometimes cheaper than paying for it yourself in Australia. Think of places like Bangkok and Bali.

Care for pregnant women in Australia is excellent and is provided by a mix of public and private services.
Public hospitals offer free maternity care through Medicare. Private hospitals are more expensive, but offer luxury facilities and more freedom of choice in terms of gynaecologists.
Home births are rare; most births take place in hospitals.
There is broad support for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in public is fully accepted.

Australia is generally safe. However, bad weather, bushfires or dangerous animals can cause problems.
Tropical cyclones and flooding occur from October to March. And especially during the bushfire season, from October to March, the safety situation can change very quickly.
There are many traffic accidents in Australia, because travellers and tourists accidentally drive on the right, while in Australia you are supposed to drive on the left. In the countryside, people drive in large cars and often at high speed, not prepared for backpackers who maintain a different driving style in a rented car or, for example, want to take photos in an unexpected place.
Beware of pickpockets and car theft, especially in the big cities and in places where many tourists come.

Tropical diseases: Are present in parts of the country. Checking vaccinations before you leave is advisable.
Jellyfish, snakes and spiders: Jellyfish pose a serious and deadly threat. In the summer months, the east coast is the domain of the box jellyfish, this jellyfish looks innocent, but the meter-long tentacles are deadly. Snakes can also be dangerous. They usually do not attack, but if you accidentally step on them, they can bite your calf and you have to get help. Make sure you call 000 immediately and remember what the snake looked like (pupils, colour, shape). Do not wash a snakebite wound. Australia also has several dangerous spiders, among which the funnel-web spiders and the redback spider. When bitten by a snake, wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and call a Poisons Information Center.
In the outback, you need to be pretty self-reliant, with enough water and food to survive a car breakdown, for example, and some first aid skills and supplies to help yourself until the flying doctors come to rescue you.

Roads in urban areas are well maintained, but in remote areas (outback) roads can be unpaved and challenging.
In Australia, people drive on the left side of the road.
Long-distance driving is common; take plenty of water and a charged phone.
Kangaroos on the road are a risk, especially at sunrise and sunset. If you hit a kangaroo, check to see if it is safe to stop there. If the kangaroo is not breathing, check for a baby kangaroo and try to get the animal off the road. If the kangaroo is still breathing, be careful. In any case, call the RSPCA or a local wildlife rescue.
Public transport in cities is excellent, but in regional areas a car is essential.

Is the trip to and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

For some visas you must prove that you have health insurance. In any case, it is wise to take out international private health insurance to cover the high costs of medical care. For more information about visa requirements, see the Australian Immigration Service website.
Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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