Information on Doctors, Ambulances etc

[Leeroy1973]

Hi All

Can anyone please give me information on how healthcare works in Australia.

1. I have heard you have to pay for visiting the Doctor, is it expensive?
2. Is the dentist expensive?
3. Do you have to pay for Ambulances
4. Is it fairly easy to register at doctors and dentist.

Thanks in advance.

Lee

[ali]

Some doctors bulk bill - which means you don't pay, but I have to say that I couldn't find one locally, but most will bulk bill for the children and elderly My GP charged $57 for a 15 min appointment - more if longer. You do claim part of this back via medicare. You pay for all prescriptions (even children).

My children go to the school dentist, although my daughter has a brace and that cost $4,000. We took out optical and dental insurance so get a lot of the cost back. We also have ambulance cover with the scheme. someone has told me that it costs between $300 - 500 for an ambulance

You can go to a different GP every week here and Dr. Shop, having said that a surgery closed down in my area and people have found it difficult to register locally and have to travel a little.

Ali

[Andystaceymann08]

Hi, Doctors bulk bill, which means they bill medicare direct, but only if you are pr do you get medicare I think?
Ambulances, yes you have to pay I think it $50 dollars to take you to hospital!!!

Doctors and dentists are run like businesses you can go where you like when you like!

My advise is to take private medical insurance when you arrive, because you just never know? I'm having a cataract removed soon and it would of cost loads had we not had HBF medical insurance, and I never had any health problems before this!

[ali]

I thought ambulances were more than that - not too bad if it's only $50 I was told it was far more expensive. Not all Dr.'s bulk bill for adults.

Ali

[suzy+1]

I have also read it is several hundred dollars for ambulance call out.
You are entitled to basic and emergency healthcare under all visas-inc. WHV, 457, etc as part of the reciprocal agreement between australia and UK.

[Leeroy1973]

Thanks Guys, I believe I have Private Healthcare for me and the family whilst on our Visa (457). Just wanted to get an idea of costs.

Thanks again

Lee