Healthcare in Sydney

Expats relocating to Sydney will be reassured to know that this city offers a great healthcare system considering that it upholds Australia's reputation as the 32nd top country in world health systems ranking according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Expatriates who hail from countries that have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia such as the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, New Zealand and Ireland may be able to receive free treatment at public hospitals and obtain subsided medicines. However, these reciprocal health care agreements do not cover all forms of healthcare services and some can find a more comprehensive form of coverage by getting international health insurance services. Expatriates with private health insurance will find that they can gain access to private hospitals, with better waiting times and more staff members than public hospitals. 

Medicare: Sydney’s Public Healthcare Scheme 

Sydney’s public healthcare system is funded through Medicare, a universal coverage that offers free medical services to all Australian and New Zealand citizens as well as those who hold permanent visas. This programme mainly covers or heavily subsidises treatments by GPs or General Practitioners in state-funded hospitals. To apply for Medicare, expats can download an application from via the Department of Human Services Australia and submit the application to the nearest Medicare office along with certified passport and birth certificate copies to prove eligibility. Once the application has been processed, a Medicare card will be provided which expats may use to receive Medicare services. 

Keep in mind though that Medicare doesn’t cover a temporary resident that’s why expats in Sydney that are not eligible for the public healthcare scheme are strongly advised to take out private health insurance. Also Medicare does not cover some medical services, such as ambulance transport and dental work. 

Doctors and Hospitals 

Sydney prides itself for having an abundance of excellent family doctors or General Practitioners (GPs). In this city, it isn’t necessary for you to be registered with a particular GP and everyone has the flexibility to choose or visit any doctor either as a private or Medicare patient. Appointments to see a GP must be made at least two days in advance but if its an urgent case (but not necessarily considered as an emergency), the doctor will see you immediately. Medicare patients need a referral from a GP before they can see a specialist while those who have private insurance are free to schedule appointments directly. 

Clinics and hospitals in Sydney usually have in-house equipment for medical tests such as x-rays as well as blood and urine analysis. Generally speaking, there are a total of 220 public hospitals in New South Wales and around 39 are located in the city of Sydney. Some of the most recommended medical facilities in Sydney are: 

• Sydney Hospital

8 Macquarie St

Tel: +61 2 9382 7111 

• Mater Hospital

25 Rocklands Rd

Tel: +61 2 9900 7300 

• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Missenden Rd, Camperdown

Tel: +61 2 9515 6111 

• Royal Hospital for Women

Barker St, Randwick

Tel: +61 2 9382 6111 

Medicines and Pharmacies 

Expats living in Sydney who need to obtain medication can do so thanks to the availability of pharmacies. Many pharmacies in Sydney are open 24/7 and can be found in major shopping centres, malls and in city blocks. Certain drugs such as asthma medication, antibiotics and the oral contraceptive pill may require a doctor’s prescription in Australia. 

• Priceline Pharmacy World Square (7:30am to 11pm)

World Square, 9.01/644 George St

Tel: +61 2 9268 0042 

• Soul Pattinson Chemist (8:15am to 6pm)

Pitt Street Mall, 160 Pitt St

Tel:  +61 2 9232 7464 

• CBD Pharmacies (7:45am to 6:30pm)

92 Pitt Street

Tel: +61 2 9221 0091 

• Chemistworks (Open 24 hours)

Stockland Wetherill Park Shopping Centre

Tel: +61 2 9609 7239