Information on Health in Australia

Health and Health Care in Australia
Health care and health care systems in Australia are remarkably good. All Australians have access to the public health system “Medicare” including access to doctors, hospitals and other health care services. Unless you are not resident in Australia you will have to pay for "Medicare". Therefore it is highly recommended to choose a private health insurance in addition to your health insurance at home, as most insurances do not cover treatment expenses abroad.

Mediacal Care:
You will find a high density of doctors and hospitals within populated areas and major cities of Australia. All Doctors and hospitals are listed in the Yellow Pages. In case of any emergency you simply have to dial 000. If you are in need of medical care while you are cruising the outback, you can rely on the "Royal Flying Doctor Service", an Australian feature. It was founded in 1928 by Reverend John Flynn to supply sparsely populated areas with medical care. Nowadays, this nonprofit organisation is operating 33 plains and 14 bases to cover the complete outback. If you are in need of medical care you should be aware of the fact that you will have to pay for any service in advance and cash. Credit cards or traveler cheques are usualy not accepted.

Pharmaceuticals:
There are heaps of Chemists around within populated areas, operating 24/7. You will find many Australians going to a chemist instead of consulting a doctor, as Australian Chemists are well educated. Moreover, you can get most common pharmaceuticals you are accustomed to in Australia. However, you are allowed to bring your prescriptional pharmaceuticals with you. It is highly recommended to use sunscreen. The Australian norm for sunscreen is remarkably high and is considered worldwide to be very strict. As sunscreen has to be used every day, it is not as expensive as in Europe or America. You can get a 2 liter bulk pack, which quality can be compared with the quality of discounter products, for A$15.

Health Insurance:
Your ordinary health insurance will not be much of a help for your stay in Australia, as they usualy do not cover expenses abroad. Therefore it is highly recommended to cover your rear by choosing an additional private health insurance. Make sure to compare all offers as they vary in charges and benefits. As a patient you will have to pay the treatment expenses in advance and cash. Keep a good eye on the receipt as you will get your expenses recompensed by providing it to your private insurance after the return to your home contry. 

Infectious Disease & Vaccinations
Special vaccinations wil not be necessary if you enter Australia from America or Central Europe in a direct way. Nevertheless, you should check your vaccination card before you start your trip, to make sure you are protected against the most common vaccinations such as:

• Polio;
• Tetatnus;
• Diphtheria;
• Hepatitis A (infectious icterus) 
  Virus transfused worldwide by food or drinking water;
• Hepatitis B (highly infectious hepatitis)
  Virus transfused by bodily fluids and non-sterile acus.

If you enter Australia having a stop-over in another country, you may have to provide a vaccination certificate. Therefore it is highly recommended to check the international travel and health homepage of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for updated information on vaccinations. You will find an updated list of critical infectious disease and requiered vaccinations in the weekly epidemiological record.

Furthermore please contact your doctor at home to obtain the necessary advice for your medical obligations when entering Australia. Do not forget to include possible stopover destinations in your discussion with your doctor.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing will provide you as well with updated information. General travel advice is provided by the "International Travel and Health Publication" of the WHO.