City in Victoria, Australia
Healthcare in Melbourne: hospitals, costs and insurance
Healthcare in Melbourne
Excellent care; visitors without reciprocal Medicare pay full private fees. Call 000 for an ambulance; non-urgent clinics need appointments.
Hospitals for foreigners in Melbourne
| Hospital | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Royal Melbourne Hospital | Parkville; main public emergency department in the city |
| The Alfred | Prahran; trauma center and large teaching hospital |
Key facts
- Doctor's visit: A$85–160 ($59–111) 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 Melbourne for foreigners?
Royal Melbourne Hospital: Parkville; main public emergency department in the city
How much does a doctor's visit cost in Melbourne?
About A$85–160 ($59–111) 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 Melbourne
Going to Melbourne solo?
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Sources
- World Bank: health expenditure per capita
- CDC Travelers' Health: Australia
- Public Transport Victoria
- Melbourne Airport
- Visit Melbourne
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 Spotted something out of date?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.