What do I do in case of a Medical Emergency?
DIAL 000 for Ambulance, Fire, Police
A full list of emergency care can be found within the first few pages of any telephone directory.
Major public hospitals around the Perth metropolitan area provide 24-hour emergency care which is free to all Medicare card-holders. A list of public hospitals that provide emergency and accident care can be found in the front of the telephone book, or by calling the 000 Emergency Number.
Ambulance - In case of an emergency an ambulance will transport you to the nearest available emergency hospital appropriate to your circumstances.
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What kind of Health System does Australia have?
The Australian healthcare system is mixed. Responsibilities for healthcare are divided between the federal and state governments, and both the public and the private sectors play a role.
Government programs underpin the key aspects of healthcare. Medicare, which is funded out of general tax revenue, pays for hospital and medical services. Medicare covers all Australians, pays the entire cost of treatment in a public hospital, and reimburses for visits to doctors.
There is no limit on fees charged by doctors. There is, however, a government-set fee schedule. Doctors can bill patients or send their bills directly to the government insurance authority, the Health Insurance Commission (HIC). If sent to the HIC, the payment is 85% of the government-set fee for out-of-hospital expenses and 75% of the government set fee for in-hospital services; the money is paid directly to the doctor, and the doctor is not allowed to charge the patient an additional fee. If a doctor bills the patient directly, the patient then applies for the rebate of the government set fee.
Public hospitals are owned by the state. About 70% of beds are in public hospitals, and major teaching hospitals are public hospitals.
In the past, the majority of private hospitals were owned by charitable organizations, but for-profit corporations – which are listed on the stock exchange – now own an increasing proportion. Private, freestanding surgical centres are a rapidly growing phenomenon. Few private hospitals have emergency departments, so, in an emergency, most Australians rely on the public hospital system. Without private health insurance it is very expensive to attend a private hospital.
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What is the Quality of Care?
Overall, quality of care in Australia in both the public and private sectors is comparable to other developed countries. The major teaching hospitals have significant research profiles and the care is first-rate. Suburban and rural hospitals are also seen as providers of high-quality care. The Australian healthcare system is in relatively good shape. Out-of-pocket costs are moderate and access to emergency care is good. There are, however, extensive waiting times for elective surgeries at public hospitals. Patients who have private medical insurance will generally not have to wait for elective surgery as they are able to afford private care in a private hospital.
For further information on care in Australia and public hospitals see, www.publichospitals.com.au
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How is the Healthcare System Funded?
Government pays about 70% of healthcare costs (approximately 47% from the federal and 23% from state governments); the remainder is paid by non-government sources, e.g., insurance and private pay. The share of costs varies significantly across service types. Public hospitals, for example, are about 48% federal, 45% state, and the balance private sector funded. Medical services, on the other hand, are 82% federal funded with the balance paid mainly by the patient.
Private health insurance (which covers about 8.6% net of health costs) receives a 30% subsidy from the federal government. All domestic policies are eligible for this subsidy, and approx 45% of the population has private health insurance. Overseas Visitors health cover is not eligible for the 30% Rebate. People buy insurance directly from the insurance company (not via an employer).
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Who is Eligible to Access Medicare?
Medicare is Australia's publicly-funded universal health care system, operated by the government authority Medicare Australia. Medicare is intended to provide affordable treatment by doctors and in public hospitals for all resident citizens and permanent residents except for those on Norfolk Island. Residents with a Medicare card can receive subsidised treatment from medical practitioners who have been issued a Medicare provider number, and fully subsidised treatment in public hospitals. Visitors from countries which have reciprocal arrangements with Australia have limited access to Medicare.
Which Countries have reciprocal arrangements and access to Medicare?
If you come from one of the countries listed below you are entitled to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia.
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- United Kingdom
- The Netherlands
- Sweden
- Finland
- Italy
- Malta
Reciprocal health care agreements cover treatment that is medically necessary. Medically necessary treatment means any ill-health or injury which occurs while you are in Australia and requires treatment before you return home.
Period of Cover: If you are a resident of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway or the Netherlands you are covered for the duration of your approved visit to Australia. Visitors from Malta and Italy must be residents and citizens of those countries, and are be covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Australia.
Entitlements: As a resident of one of these countries you are entitled to the following for any ill-health or injury requiring treatment while in Australia:
- free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital
- subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and community health centres.
Enrolling in Medicare: If you will be receiving treatment you can enrol at Medicare offices throughout Australia. If you receive treatment before you enrol, Medicare benefits will be back paid for eligible visitors. To enrol in Medicare you will need:
- your passport with a valid visa
- to provide, in some cases, identification showing you are enrolled in your country’s national health scheme
If your application to enrol in Medicare is approved, you will receive an Australian reciprocal health care card in the mail.
Hospital treatment: If you are treated as a public patient in a public hospital for medically necessary treatment, the treatment is free. Simply show your passport or reciprocal health care card to staff when you arrive at the hospital. If you elect to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital or as a private patient in a private hospital for medically necessary treatment, you will be charged for both medical treatment and accommodation. These fees cannot be claimed from Medicare.
Medical services not covered by Medicare
- medicines not subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- dental work and allied health services
- treatment arranged before your visit to Australia
- accommodation and medical treatment in a private hospital
- accommodation and medical treatment as a private patient in a public hospital
For further details, go to www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
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What is Private Health Insurance?
Private health insurance is an important component of funding of heath care in Australia, providing about 11 per cent of total national health care funding. Being a private health insurance member allows you to be treated in a private or public hospital as a private patient. This means that you may be able to choose the doctor that treats you, the hospital you are treated in and a time for treatment that suits you. Private health insurance also provides cover for services not covered by Medicare such as physiotherapy, dental, optometry and podiatry services. Many people rely on private health insurance to access services they would otherwise be unable to afford.
For further details, please refer to the following websites:
- www.privatehealth.gov.au
- www.privatehealth.com.au
I have applied for a 457 visa, who is responsible for arranging Health Insurance?
From 14 September 2009, all 457 visa applications will be required to show that they have made adequate arrangements for health insurance prior to the approval of their visa. This is no longer part of the undertaking obligations of the sponsor. Visa holders who fail to compy with this undertaking during thier stay in Australia may have their visas cancelled. Sponsors will however remain responsible for the insurance for 457 visa holders granted before 14 September 2009.
Proof of appropriate insurance having been arranged, in the form of a letter from the Insurer will be required prior to the visa being issued (effective September 14, 2009). The intention is that this letter will be emailed to policy holders, in the form of a PDF, to accompany visa applications once an application has been accepted. Visa applications being processed on or after 14 Sept 2009 will not be granted if they do not provide evidence that they have made adequate arrangements for health insurance.
For further details, please refer to the following websites:
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What are the Private Health Insurance Options for Overseas Visitors?
A number of private health insurers provide health cover for overseas visitors. Benefits available, membership costs and eligibility can vary between insurers. Most overseas visitors’ health cover products have limited cover for pharmaceuticals. Overseas visitors may face significant out of pocket costs if they need treatment with pharmaceuticals, particularly oncology (cancer treatment). Lifetime Health Cover and the private health insurance rebate are not applicable for overseas visitors' health cover. GST is applied to overseas visitors' health cover.
For further information on insurers offering overseas visitors, see www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/private-1
www.ahia.org.au/ovhc.php
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What Options are Available for Maternity Care?
In Perth, pregnancy & birth care may be provided:
- by midwives, General Practitioners (GPs), obstetricians or a combination
- in hospitals, birth centres within hospitals, or community settings
- within the public health system or privately
For further information on care options, see
www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au/.../Improving_Maternity_Choices-Summary.pdf
www.health.wa.gov.au/health_index/p/pregnancy.cfm
www.bubhub.com.au/infobirthoptions.php
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What Services are available for Maternal and Child Health?
Child Health Centres are staffed by registered nurses with qualifications in child and family health. They provide a range of services in partnership with parents and carers of babies and young children up to the age of 4 years.
Community Child Health Nurses can assess children's health and development as well as provide information about many aspects of parenting, maternal and family health and healthy lifestyles.
There are 310 Child Health Centres across Western Australia. Most child health centres operate an appointment system Monday to Friday, but some are only open part time. You will usually need to make an appointment for your visit. Please ask the nurse for further details. All services are free.
For location and contact details please see the list at www.health.wa.gov.au/services/category.cfm?Topic_ID=18
or call Health Info on 1300 135 030.
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Do I Need to Have My Child Immunised?
Childhood Immunisation is highly recommended but not compulsory and is carried out at various stages of the development of the child. The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule is a free immunisation program and provides inoculation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, mumps, measles and rubella. All are also available for children and adults. The service is offered through all municipalities and a record of the procedure noted in your public records. For before-school immunisations, generally you take your infant along to any of the public immunisation sessions held at your local council offices, and/or the local council's immunisation nurse will visit your child's school to carry out the immunisation program during the school age stage of their growth.
It is necessary to show proof of all immunisations before entrance is allowed into schools, so bring your child's immunisation records with you when you make an appointment with the school.
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the Immunisation Register) is a national online database containing information on the immunisation status of all children living in Australia who are under the age of seven years.
Further details regarding the national childhood immunisation register can be found at: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/about/whatwedo/acir.jsp
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Do I Need to be Concerned about the Sun and Skin Cancer?
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, mostly caused by over exposure to UV radiation. Around 380,000 people are treated for skin cancer and 1,600 people die from the disease every year.
When Should I use sun protection in Perth?
Whenever ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels reach 3 (moderate) and above, sun protection is required. At that level UV radiation can damage your skin and eyes and lead to skin cancer. Particular care should be taken between 10am - 3pm when UV levels reach their peak. To see what the UV levels are for the day and the times sun protection is needed, go to SunSmart UV Alert in the weather section of your daily newspaper or visit www.bom.gov.au/announcements/uv
During high UV periods, ensure you have adequate sun protection including clothing, sunscreen sunglasses, hats, and seek appropriate shade.
Further information see: www.cancerwa.asn.au/prevention/sunsmart/
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Additional Information & Web Reference List:
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