Health Care in Canberra

The healthcare system in Canberra is a mix of public and private services. The public healthcare system, known as Medicare, provides free or subsidized treatment by health professionals and access to hospital care. The private healthcare system offers more flexibility and choice, but at a cost.

Australia's Healthcare System

Australia's public healthcare system, Medicare, is funded by taxpayers and provides free or subsidized treatment by health professionals, specialists, and access to hospital care. Medicare is available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents, including foreigners who have applied for permanent residency. Public hospitals in Canberra, such as Canberra Hospital, are well-equipped and capable of handling serious medical emergencies and major surgeries. However, waiting times can be long for non-emergency procedures. Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system if they have applied for and been granted permanent residency. Many expats, however, choose to use private hospitals for their healthcare needs. Private hospitals, such as Calvary Private Hospital Bruce, offer shorter waiting times and more personalized care, but at a higher cost. It is recommended to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgeries if you have private health insurance.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Canberra

• Canberra Hospital (public) - located in Garran
• Calvary Public Hospital Bruce (public) - located in Bruce
• Calvary Private Hospital Bruce (private) - located in Bruce, specializes in cardiac care
• John James Hospital (private) - located in Deakin, specializes in orthopedic surgery
• National Capital Private Hospital (private) - located in Garran

In the event that specialized medical care is not available in Canberra, expats may need to travel to Sydney. Sydney is approximately 3 hours by car from Canberra and has a number of highly specialized hospitals.

Emergency Services in Canberra

Canberra has a robust emergency services system, including ambulance services. In case of an emergency, you can call 000 for an ambulance. The response time can vary depending on the nature of the emergency and the location, but generally, the ambulance services are prompt and efficient.

Health Insurance Companies in Canberra

There are several popular private health insurers in Canberra, including Medibank, Bupa, and HCF. These companies offer a range of health insurance plans, covering everything from basic hospital care to comprehensive coverage that includes extras like dental and optical. While these companies are popular among Australians, many expats and digital nomads choose to use specialized expat health insurance providers. These providers offer plans that are tailored to the needs of expats, including coverage for treatment in multiple countries and medical evacuation.