Government of Western Australia - State Migration Centre

Health

Western Australia offers world-class health and medical services available through a range of public and private hospitals, medical specialists and health services.

Public Health Cover

Medicare is the public health system that is regulated by the Australian Government and is available to most Australians. The public health system is designed to ensure that all Australians have access to medical and hospital care. It provides assistance with most medicines prescribed by doctors through the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme.

Medicare does not generally cover temporary residents in Australia. If you are not certain of your eligibility for coverage, check your visa status (i.e. visa classification under which you entered Australia) and then contact Medicare to confirm eligibility.

Private Health Cover

Many Australians also choose to take out private health insurance as some expenses are not covered and waiting lists for elective surgery in public hospitals can take time. The cost of standard private medical cover is around $2,600 per family per year, with the government offering a 30 percent rebate on the costs of private health insurance.

In this Sections

Fast Facts

2005 Nobel Prize for Medicine was won by Western Australian, Professor Barry Marshall who found a cure for stomach ulcers.

Western Australian, Dr Fiona Wood was named Australian of the Year in 2005 after her work with burns victims of the 2002 Bali bombings.

See Also

The Department of Health Western Australia

Medicare Australia

Australian Health Insurance Information