Key points
- Health care aims to prevent illness and injury, and help those who get sick or injured return to good health.
- The Australian health system provides safe and affordable care.
- Medicare is a key part of the Australian health system. It makes health care free or lower cost for all Medicare cardholders.
- As a parent or caregiver, it is a good idea for your child to have a regular doctor who knows their health history.
Health care in Australia
The goal of health care is to prevent illness and injury, and help those who get sick or injured return to good health. To achieve this, a health system needs to connect services and medical experts to the public.
Australia has one of the best health systems in the world. It provides safe and affordable care to people of all ages.
There are two main health care pathways in Australia: public and private.
Public
- Funded and run by the government, using taxes.
- Offers free or lower-cost health care for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
- Usually the best option for serious medical conditions.
- Can be slower to get medical care unless it is an emergency.
Private
- Owned and run by private companies, licensed by the government.
- Offers health care to anyone who can pay for it, but some serious conditions move to the public system for treatment.
- Can be faster to get medical care.
Both the public and private systems employ qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals like physiotherapists and social workers.
About Medicare
In 1984, Australia started the Medicare program to make health care free or lower-cost. The program covers:
Medicare for your child
Your child needs to be registered with Medicare to access free or lower-cost health care. When your child is registered, their name will be on your family Medicare card with a number beside it – this is their ‘Individual Reference Number.’ You will need
both the Medicare card number and your child’s Individual Reference Number to use Medicare.
If your child is eligible for Medicare but not registered, you can register them online through myGov or by submitting the required paperwork. Your child can usually get their own Medicare card when they turn 15.
What does Medicare cover?
The government pays for Medicare using taxes. It covers all or some of the costs of:
- doctor's appointments
- scans such as x-rays
- tests such as eye tests
- being in a public hospital
- some mental health support, such as psychology.
Medicare does not usually pay for dentist appointments, ambulance services, cosmetic surgery or glasses and other aids like contacts or hearing aids.
If your child has a Medicare card number, you can also get cheaper medicines for them through the 'Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme' (PBS).
Your health care pathways
When to see a doctor or health professional
- Your child’s local doctor (General Practitioner or ‘GP’) should usually be the first person you take them to see when they need medical care, unless it is an emergency.
- There are many reasons to visit a doctor, such as if your child:
- has symptoms like aches or pains that do not go away
- is struggling with their mental health
- needs preventative health care, like vaccines, medicines for travel, or a check-up.
- Your child’s doctor may refer them to a specialist doctor if they need ongoing care for a specific health problem. Specialists can be public or private.
- Your child may need to see a different health professional sometimes. For example, if they need nutrition guidance, they may need
help from a dietitian. You can ask your child’s doctor for advice if you are not sure what sort of help they need.
When to take your child to the hospital
- You may need to take your child to the hospital if they have a serious injury or illness.
- The emergency department is the part of a hospital where your child can get urgent medical care.
- Some reasons your child may need to go to the emergency department are:
- Broken bones or painful dislocated body parts
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
- Deep cuts that need stitches
- Head injuries at high speeds or from heights
- New intense pain, such as stomach or chest pain, or a sudden intense headache.
- You should only take your child to a hospital emergency department if their injury or illness needs quick treatment and they cannot wait for their local doctor.
- Sometimes, you may take your child to a hospital when it is not an emergency – for example, to see a specialist doctor or for surgery.
When to call an ambulance for your child
- In a medical emergency, call an ambulance by dialling 000.
- An ambulance is a vehicle with medical equipment designed to take people to hospital.
- Paramedics are trained health professionals who attend emergencies in an ambulance to provide medical care.
- You should only call an ambulance for your child in a medical emergency. This is a health problem or serious injury that needs urgent help, such as:
- Severe burns
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Seizures.
- It is expensive to use an ambulance. You can buy ambulance cover with your state branch for a low yearly fee.
Private health services and insurance
Alongside Australia's public health system, there are private health services. These services are not owned or run by the government. However, the government monitors and licenses them to ensure their safety.
Common private health services include:
- Private hospitals
- Dentists
- Specialist doctors’ clinics
- Physiotherapists.
Most private health services cost money because Medicare does not cover them. That is why some people have private health insurance.
What is private health insurance?
Private health insurance is where you pay for extra health care options on top of what you get through Medicare. Many private health insurance policies will cover children for no extra cost until they are at least 18 years old.
You may want to get private health insurance to:
- have more choice – you can usually pick the private hospital or clinic you want to go to and the private health professional you want to see
- avoid waiting on a public waitlist for health care
- save money on taxes
- get money back for medical care that Medicare does not cover, like glasses or the dentist.
If you come from a country that Medicare does not cover with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, private health insurance is strongly recommended. This is because medical care is very expensive. In some Australian states, including Victoria, all people
seeking asylum can access free medical care in hospital.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is an online system that lets you speak with a doctor or other health professional via secure video call instead of visiting them in person.
There are many benefits of telehealth, such as:
- Flexibility – join from anywhere with an internet connection
- Less travel time
- Easier to access
- More comfortable for people who do not like health care settings
- Paid for in part or in full by Medicare.
Your child’s doctor or other health professional can tell you if telehealth is suitable. Sometimes, it is better to see a health professional in person. For example, if a doctor needs to measure your child's blood pressure.
If your child needs to see a health professional regularly, you may be able to have some appointments via telehealth. However, you will likely still need some appointments in person.
You can tell your child’s doctor or other health professional if you do not want to use telehealth.
Your teen’s right to health care privacy
Teenagers have a right to medical privacy and confidentiality. This includes seeing a doctor on their own for part or
all of their appointments and having a say in their medical care.
If you have a teen, it is important to know that they do not have to tell you their health issues. However, their doctor may contact you if they are worried about your teen’s safety.
Common questions about the Australian health system
I am not an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Do I have to pay to take my child to the hospital?
If you come from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, you do not need to pay to take your child to a public hospital. However, if you do not come from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, you will not be covered by
Medicare. This means you will have to pay full price for care in a public hospital, which can cost thousands of dollars.
You should strongly consider getting private health insurance if you come from a country without a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.
How do I find my child’s health records?
Your child’s health records include many pieces of information – from their vaccine history to doctors’ notes. You can access some records online, such as their immunisation record, but you may need to ask your child’s doctor or fill out a special
application for others.
The government's digital health system is called 'My Health Record.' It has details of prescription medicines, blood tests, imaging results, and hospital discharge summaries (if your child has been to hospital).
Your official health record is what a doctor or hospital writes in the notes whenever your child gets medical care. To get a copy of their official health record, you must apply through 'Freedom of Information.'
Why does Australia have a public and private health system?
The private health system in Australia encourages people to pay for health care if they can afford it, so those who do not have the money can rely on the public system.
My child does not have any health problems. Do they need a regular doctor?
Even if your child is generally healthy, it is a good idea for them to have a regular doctor or clinic you trust. This way, the doctor will have your child's entire medical history on file when they need care.
A regular doctor can help you manage your child’s health before problems start, such as by recommending vaccinations.
Will Medicare pay for my child to see a psychologist?
Medicare will pay some or all costs of your child seeing a psychologist or other mental health professional if they have a ‘Mental Health Treatment Plan.’ Speak to your
child’s doctor to learn more about this program.
Can I ask for a second opinion from another health professional?
You always have the right to ask for a second opinion about your child’s health. Their care should never be affected by this request.
What is a Low Income Health Care Card?
If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for a Low Income Health Care Card. This is a type of concession card that gives you discounts on health
services and medicines. You can add your child to your Low Income Health Care Card if you are their primary carer and they live with you at least two nights every fortnight.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed Augut 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.