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Expat Exchange - Health Care in Sydney 2024
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Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia


Health Care in Sydney

By Betsy Burlingame

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Summary: Learn about the health system in Sydney: how it can and cannot be used by expats, nomads, retirees and others moving to and living in Sydney.

Sydney has a public and private healthcare system that provides quality medical care to its citizens and visitors. The public healthcare system in Australia is called Medicare and is available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. It is also available to some visitors, depending on their visa status.

Australia's Healthcare System

Australia's public healthcare system, Medicare, is funded by the government and provides access to free or low-cost medical services. Medicare covers a range of services, including hospital care, doctor visits, and some prescription medications. It is widely used by Australians and is also available to some visitors, depending on their visa status. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Sydney for serious medical emergencies and major surgery, as they are well-equipped and staffed with experienced medical professionals. The public hospital experience in Sydney is generally good, with clean facilities and friendly staff.

Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Australia, but they may need to pay out-of-pocket for some services. Expats typically use private hospitals for more specialized medical care and for surgeries, as they offer more personalized care and shorter wait times. Private hospitals in Sydney are well-equipped and staffed with experienced medical professionals, and people generally recommend them for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. The private hospital experience in Sydney is generally good, with clean facilities and friendly staff.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Sydney

  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Public hospital located in Camperdown
  • St Vincent's Hospital - Public hospital located in Darlinghurst
  • Prince of Wales Hospital - Public hospital located in Randwick
  • Sydney Children's Hospital - Public hospital located in Randwick
  • Sydney Eye Hospital - Public hospital located in Darlinghurst
  • Sydney Adventist Hospital - Private hospital located in Wahroonga
  • St George Private Hospital - Private hospital located in Kogarah
  • Sydney Orthopaedic Specialists - Private hospital located in St Leonards

Emergency Services in Sydney

Sydney has a well-developed emergency services system, with ambulance services available throughout the city. To call for an ambulance, dial 000. Ambulances generally arrive quickly, but there can be delays due to high demand.

Health Insurance Companies in Sydney

The most popular private health insurers in Sydney are Bupa, Medibank, and HCF. These companies provide health insurance plans that cover a range of services, including hospital care, doctor visits, and some prescription medications. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, rather than specialized expat health insurance providers.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia

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