International Patient Program

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne offers specialist care to international patients that can give children and adolescents the chance at a healthy life.

The RCH is one of Australia’s biggest and busiest paediatric hospitals. With a proud 147-year history the RCH cares for children from across Victoria; and, through its nationally funded centres for complex cardiac surgery and transplantation, for Australia’s sickest children and adolescents.

Information for parents and doctors

International patients should be referred to RCH Global through a doctor or medical specialist by completing the International Patient Referral Request Form. All international patient referrals will be considered by RCH Global and a medical specialist in line with our eligibility requirements and capacity.

Refer an international patient

All international patients travelling to Australia for medical treatment will be required to obtain a Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602). Assistance is available to obtain a Medical Treatment Visa and to arrange travel and accommodation in Melbourne.

International patients cared for at the RCH are supported through insurance, private funding sources or philanthropic organisations, including Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC).

Is your child eligible for care at the RCH?

The RCH offers specialist care for international patients where a single episode of care can give the child or adolescent long-term prospects for a healthy life

For the safety of international patients travelling to Australia for medical treatment, we cannot accept international patient referrals for emergency procedures, cases requiring multiple visits to Australia or ongoing care in Australia. In the case of children and adolescents who require a single episode of care, a doctor or medical specialist must be available in the child’s community to provide follow‐up care.

As a government-funded hospital, the RCH can only offer services for international patients where we have additional capacity, to ensure that care for Australian children is not compromised.

Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602)

All international patients travelling to Australia for medical treatment will be required to obtain a Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602).

To be eligible to obtain a Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602) evidence will need to be presented that arrangements have been made to pay the full cost of treatment.

What happens after your doctor submits a referral request form?

We will consider the referral request from your doctor or medical specialist. This initial assessment may take two weeks. You may be asked for additional information or a Telehealth consultation to assist us to make an assessment.

If eligibility criteria are met and capacity is available, we will prepare a treatment plan. The treatment plan will list diagnostic and treatment procedures, surgery, expected length of visit to Australia and follow-up consultations.

We will provide you with the proposed treatment plan and a cost estimate.

If the estimate is accepted, we will schedule appointments for your child or adolescent’s care.

Award-winning facilities at the RCH

The RCH provides world-class facilities for patients, families, visitors and staff. We’ve created an environment that is uniquely designed for children and young people. Take a virtual tour of the facilities.

At the RCH delivery of health care is based on partnerships between patients, families and all those involved in their care. We recognise that young people heal best when their families are part of the team, and we’re committed to this approach that’s being embraced in paediatric facilities around the world. It is known as ‘patient and family-centred care’.

We offer the following services for international patients and their families:

Interpreter services

A dedicated space for prayer and spiritual care

A dedicated space for families

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) is located on Flemington Road in Parkville, Melbourne. The hospital is only minutes from the city centre, and about a 20-minute drive from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine).

Supporting life-saving surgery for children from Pacific Island countries

There is an urgent need for improved surgery and anaesthetic services for children in developing countries. Where life saving or life changing surgery is not yet accessible for children living in Pacific Island countries, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) facilitates surgery in Australia and New Zealand.

ROMAC has facilitated procedures for over 350 children from our region, including children with heart or neurological conditions, severe disability, burns and cancers. In 2014, ROMAC signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with the RCH to provide medical treatment for five children annually.

Read more about ROMAC-supported patients at the RCH.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne

RCH Global

International Patient Program

International Patient Program

Information for parents and doctors

Is your child eligible for care at the RCH?

What happens after your doctor submits a referral request form?

Award-winning facilities at the RCH

Supporting life-saving surgery for children from Pacific Island countries