Hospital costs
You can choose to be a public or private patient when you go to hospital.
If you're a public patient in a public hospital – and you have a Medicare card – your costs are paid for by Medicare. This includes going to one of our emergency departments or health centres.
Read more about what Medicare covers on the Services Australia website.
Are you eligible for a Medicare Card?
Find out how to enrol and get a Medicare card on the Services Australia website.
Services Australia website has information about getting your own Medicare card and number if you’re 15 or older and enrolled in Medicare.
Services Australia website also has information about Medicare services for Indigenous Australians.
Private patients
You can choose to get treated as a private patient in a public hospital.
Talk to your private health insurance fund. If you do choose to be a private patient:
- we'll bulk bill eligible services to Medicare
- your private health insurance will cover hospital fees and charges
- we'll cover any excess or co-payments required by your private health insurance.
If you're seeing a specialist outside the hospital and then come here for your treatment, you can choose your doctor and their team. But, if you come in through the emergency department and want to use your private health insurance, you can't choose your doctor.
Visiting specialists
If you're seeing one of our private visiting specialists, you'll have to pay any costs not covered by your insurance before you go to hospital.
Paying for medicines
If you have a Medicare card, you won't pay for any medicines you have while you're in hospital.
You might have to pay for any medicines you take when you leave hospital. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme you may only have to pay for part of the cost of the medicine. You can also use your concession or Health Care Card to get cheaper medicines.
Read more about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Private general practices
If you have a Medicare card, most services have a low cost or no cost. If you have a concession card or Health Care Card, we'll bulk bill all eligible services to Medicare.
You may need to pay a small fee for some health screening services. This includes reports for insurance providers or medical exams for flying or for commercial licenses.
Travel costs
If you live in a rural and remote area you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).
The PTSS helps with travel and accommodation costs for patients who need to use specialist medical services that aren't available in their local area.
Read more about the PTSS on the Queensland Government website.
Long stay costs
If you can get Medicare, you can stay in the hospital for up to 35 days without having to pay. After that, you may need to pay fees. But this depends on the type of care you're currently getting.
Read more about medical cover, insurance and costs on the Queensland Government website.
If you're visiting Australia from overseas
If your home country has a reciprocal health care agreement with us, some of your treatment in Australia might be free. Read more about reciprocal health care agreements on the Services Australia website.
What documents you need
- For most people, a valid visa is needed.
- Proof of current residence in your home country.
People seeking asylum who don't have a Medicare card
If you're seeking asylum in Australia and don't have a Medicare card, you can still access health care in public hospitals.
The Queensland Health website has: