Medical
In an emergency, telephone 000 (for police, medical, fire)
Introduction
Australia has a very high quality medical system. However, for non-residents, it can be very expensive.
Australia's health system is funded by a levy on income tax. This levy (the Medicare Levy) is 1.5% of income tax, with provisions for a lower contribution (nil in some circumstances) from the lower paid.
Australian residents receive a Medicare Card and this provides access to government subsidised health services. Further details are below.
Diplomats do not have access to Medicare Cards and the costs to diplomats can be expensive. Details of private insurance are below.
Ambulance
The ACT Government conducts the ACT Ambulance Service.
Emergency calls: 000
General inquiries: (02) 6207 9980
Requests for non-urgent ambulance bookings: (02) 6207 9900
Hospitals
There are two types of hospitals in Australia.
Public hospitals are government funded (and usually government owned and managed). Public hospitals are available free to Medicare Card holders. Others have access, but must pay. Because access to Medicare Card holders is free, there are often long delays for non-urgent treatment. Public hospitals usually offer facilities in "wards" where they may be 4-6 beds to a room. However, Public hospitals are well equipped and also offer emergency care to all. For serious emergencies (heart attack, stroke, or serious injury) Public hospitals are usually preferred.
The leading Public hospitals in Canberra are:
Canberra Hospital, Garran, Ph (02) 6244 2222 click here
Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce, Ph (02) 6201 6111 click here
Private hospitals are privately owned (often by religious organisations or charities, but also by private enterprise and the medical profession). Private hospitals also receive some government financial support. Private hospitals also have "wards" of 2-4 beds per room, but also offer private rooms. Diplomats generally prefer Private hospitals.
The leading Private hospitals in Canberra are:
Calvary John James Hospital, Deakin, Ph (02) 6281 8100 click here
National Capital Private Hospital, Garran, Ph (02) 6222 6666 click here
Calvary Private Hospital, Bruce, Ph (02) 6201 6111 click here
Many Diplomats prefer Calvary John James Hospital.
Note. Calvary Hospital has both a Private hospital area and also a Public hospital area.
For emergencies, we suggest you immediately go to Canberra Hospital, Garran, Ph (02) 6244 2222 click here
Doctors
General Practitioners (GPs) are all Private in Australia. GPs Practices vary from single-doctor, to 12 or more doctors together in a medical practice.
A small number of medical practices "bulk bill" which means that Medicare Card holders receive medical treatment at no cost and the medical practice bills the government a discounted rate for the service.
Most medical practices do not "bulk bill". This means patients pay the doctor themselves (at the conclusion of their visit) and Medicare Card holders later claim a part-refund from government. Diplomats must pay the entire cost themselves.
Specialist Doctors will not see a patient without a "referral" (a letter of introduction) from a GP. Patients visit their GP, who issues a referral to a named specialist, and the patient then makes an appointment to see the specialist.
Warning. Due to the general skills shortage in Australia, there is currently a great shortage of doctors. GPs are particularly in short supply. As a result, many medical practices have "closed their books" to new patients and will only take care of their existing patients. This can make it very difficult for diplomats. We suggest you locate a GP very soon after your arrival so that you are "on the books" in case you need a GP in the future
Some diplomats have a preference for some of the following doctors:-
Dr David Lee, Red Hill, Ph (02) 6295 0966
Kingston Family Surgery, Kingston, Ph 02) 6239 5520
There is also a website that provides information on doctors and other health professional in Canberra. It is at: www.doctors-4u.com/Canberra/home.htm
Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service Ph 1300 422 567offers an after-hours GP service. See: www.calms.net.au
Medical Insurance
Like most western countries, medical and hospital facilities in Australia are excellent. However, they are also expensive. Australian residents pay a tax levy (currently 1.5%) on their income tax towards the cost of providing government medical care. This is provided through a Medicare Card.
Australian residents receive free treatment in Government-funded public hospitals, although many residents choose to also privately insure, to give them a choice of public or private hospital and also a choice of a private (individual) room in a public hospital (rather than a shared room).
Doctors (and other health professionals) fees are also subsidised by the national government through the Government's Medicare agency. www.medicare.gov.au
Non-residents do not have access to this free or subsidised treatment and must pay the full cost of the medical or hospital service. As a result, medical insurance is strongly recommended for Diplomats. Some of the insurers are:-
Medibank Private www.medibankprivate.com.au
Medical Benefit Fund (MBF) www.mbf.com.au
NIB www.nib.com.au
HCF www.hcf.com.au
Chemists/Pharmacists
Chemists or Pharmacists are Private businesses, owned and managed by registered pharmacists..
Medicare Card holders receive large government subsidies on most medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS). These subsidies are not available to Diplomats.
Private Health Insurance subsidises the costs of non-PBS medicines to Diplomats and also to Medicare Card holders. Conditions apply.
Most shopping centres have their own Chemist/Pharmacist. An after-hours Chemist is at:-
Canberra Day & Night Chemist
9 Sargood Street
O'Connor
Ph: (02) 6248 7050
Dentists
Dentists are Private businesses, owned and managed by registered dentists.
Private Health Insurance subsidises the costs of dental treatment to Diplomats and also to Medicare Card holders. Conditions apply.
Vets
Vets for animals are listed in the Yellow Pages www.yellowpages.com.au under Veterinary Surgeons and also Animal Clinics.
The following are some of the vets that have Diplomats as clients:
Manuka Veterinary Hospital, Griffith, Ph: (02) 6295 6089
Animal Medical Centre, Phillip, Ph: (02) 6285 2637
Weston Animal Clinic & Hospital,
Holder, Ph: (02) 6288 4777