WDHS is a public health care facility.
Any patient who is not eligible for Medicare benefits will be required to pay WDHS for all medical care and services.
This includes all outpatient visits, emergency department attendances as well as inpatient care and accommodation.
Overseas visitors are treated as a Medicare Ineligible Patient, unless they are from a country that Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with.
A MEDICARE INELIGABLE PERSON is any visitor to Australia who:
DOES NOT hold a valid Medicare card,
Or DOES NOT fall under one of the following classifications:
- Reciprocal Rights: the Australian Government has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta and Italy. Visitors from Malta & Italy are covered for Medicare for a period of six months from date of arrival in Australia.
- Asylum Seekers and Refugees: Asylum Seekers and Refugees are provided with free medical care (including diagnostic services) in Victorian hospitals. Asylum Seekers/Refugees will need to produce appropriate documents of Immigration and Citizenship or a recognised asylum support agency, such as Red Cross. If this document is not produced, you will be expected to pay for all medical costs; however the fee will be waived once the documents are presented.
- Diplomats: Diplomats and their families are covered by Medicare for medical care as private patients in a public or private hospital. Such persons are eligible for, and generally will hold, a Medicare card.
- Overseas Students: All foreign students studying in Australia, with the exception of students from Sweden and Norway, are required to take out Overseas Student Heath Cover (OSHC).
What does a Medicare Ineligible Patient pay for?
A Medicare Ineligible Patient is responsible for all of their health costs including any transport cost. This includes fees and charges for:
• Inpatient care
• Accommodation
• Emergency department attendances
• Outpatient visits
• Doctor’s visits
• Diagnostic tests, including pathology and radiology
• Discharge medication
• Allied Health (e.g. Physiotherapy, Dietitian visits)
• Transport
All Overseas visitors are required to provide the following information:
• Your passport
• Visa documentation & date of entry validation
• Credit Card details
• Contact Information during your stay in Australia
• Relevant health insurance policy details
Health Insurance
Depending on the visa classification type, it is a mandatory requirement that overseas visitors have health insurance cover while staying in Australia.
If visa holders are not meeting their health insurance conditions, they are considered in breach of their visa requirement.
Accommodation, Emergency Department and Outpatient Fees – Current Fees
** Please note new fees as per July 1st, 2023 as per below
| Patient Classification | Fees and charges |
| Accommodation Charges – TBC by WDHS Finance Department | |
| Emergency Department | $568 |
| Outpatients – fee per encounter | |
| Outpatient Consultation | $341 |
| Allied Health | $197 |
Medicare ineligible patients may also incur other fees including for doctor, pathology, radiology, pharmacy, ambulance transfer and any other out of pocket costs.
Fees quoted are correct at the time of publication. WDHS reserves the right to review fees and notify any changes by correspondence.
For Further Information Visit:
Department of Health
Patient fees and charges for public health services – Ineligible patients
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/patient-fees-charges/ineligible-patients
WDHS:
For more advice or information regarding Medicare access and Medicare Ineligibility at WDHS contact:
(03) 5551 8222
Last updated: 29 August, 2023