City in Queensland, Australia
Healthcare in Cairns: hospitals, costs and insurance
Healthcare in Cairns
Good basic hospital care; serious cases may be flown to Townsville or Brisbane. Decompression cases from diving are treated at specialist facilities.
Hospitals for foreigners in Cairns
| Hospital | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Cairns Hospital | Main public hospital with emergency department |
| Cairns Private Hospital | Private care in Manunda |
Key facts
- Doctor's visit: A$80–150 ($56–104) at a private clinic without insurance.
- In Australia: Excellent care, but visitors pay full rates unless covered by a reciprocal Medicare agreement (UK, Ireland, New Zealand, several EU countries). Hospital stays cost thousands daily; get insurance.
- Pharmacies: Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and local pharmacies everywhere; many medicines need a prescription. Free nurse advice: healthdirect 1800 022 222.
- Health spending: US$6,980 per person a year (2023); 4.1 doctors per 1,000 people (2022), World Bank.
- Emergency: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Travel and health insurance
Travel insurance isn't required to enter Australia, but treatment for visitors is paid upfront.
| Insurer | Good for |
|---|---|
| SafetyWing Nomad Insurance | Monthly subscription for nomads and long trips; cancel anytime. |
| Genki | Health insurance for nomads, from a European insurer. |
| World Nomads | Trip insurance that covers many adventure activities. |
| Heymondo | Single-trip, annual and long-stay plans with a medical app. |
| IMG Global | Travel medical and long-term international health plans. |
Quick answers
What is the best hospital in Cairns for foreigners?
Cairns Hospital: Main public hospital with emergency department
How much does a doctor's visit cost in Cairns?
About A$80–150 ($56–104) at a private clinic.
Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
It isn't required for entry, but recommended: hospitals in Australia expect visitors to pay or show insurance.
More about Cairns
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Sources
- World Bank: health expenditure per capita
- CDC Travelers' Health: Australia
- Cairns Airport
- Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- TransLink Queensland
SoloSquare has no commercial relationship with the insurers listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.