The medical standards in Australia are very high; in some cases, treatment costs can be surprisingly expensive.
Let’s look at some examples of medical expenses where significant charges were incurred.
| Content | Claim Amount |
| Visited the hospital due to shortness of breath and coughing symptoms. Diagnosed with pneumothorax and hospitalized for 18 days, including surgery. | $45,000 |
| Fell and hit the face hard while sightseeing at Ayers Rock, transported by helicopter. Diagnosed with thoracic vertebra compression fracture and rib fracture. Transferred by small plane from a local hospital to a well-equipped hospital and hospitalized for 4 days. Family members rushed to the location. | $27,000 |
| While riding in a car, the driver lost control and crashed into a tree, transported by helicopter. Diagnosed with lumbar chance fracture, rib fractures, and subcapsular liver hematoma. Hospitalized for 14 days, including surgery. Family members rushed to the location, and a nurse accompanied them for medical transport. | $23,000 |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
These are just a few examples of significant medical claims.
To mitigate the financial impact of paying these expenses out-of-pocket, securing comprehensive travel insurance before your trip is highly recommended.
Online travel insurance options
In this article, we cover Australia’s healthcare system, the associated medical costs, and real-life examples of high medical expense claims.
Australia’s Medical Standards are Cutting-edge
Australia can be considered one of the world’s leading countries in advanced healthcare.
Medical facilities are clean everywhere, and medical staff, such as receptionists and nurses, are mostly kind and courteous.
Many people travel from overseas specifically to undergo complex surgeries.
About Australia’s Healthcare System
Australia has a healthcare system called Medicare, which is funded by taxpayers. When receiving medical treatment, it follows a General Practitioner (GP) system rather than a specialist-based system.
Additionally, there are five key divisions within the system, all operating independently:
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Diagnostic Testing Facilities
- Specialists
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
GPs generally provide services in English. If you don’t speak English, your insurance service can introduce you to a medical interpreter, and the associated costs are typically covered.
The GP (General Practitioner) System
When seeking medical treatment in Australia, you must first consult a General Practitioner (GP), except in emergencies.
It can take anywhere from two weeks to several months to secure an appointment with a specialist. However, after-hours medical services and emergency patient care systems are well-established.
For issues like colds, stomachaches, injuries, or pregnancy, treatment always begins with a GP consultation. The same applies to blood tests or X-rays.
Even if the patient requests a blood test, the GP must write a referral for a pathology lab or imaging facility before any testing can occur.
If the GP determines that hospitalization, surgery, or specialized treatment is necessary, they will refer the patient to a hospital for advanced care.
An exception is in emergency cases, where patients can go directly to the Emergency Department (ED), a unit within public hospitals, either on their own or via ambulance. The ED is available 24 hours a day.
Medical Costs in Australia
Please refer to the table below for examples of medical expenses in Australia.
| Item | Medical Cost Examples |
| Ambulance | Public: $250 + $1 per km |
| Initial Consultation Fee | $83.28 |
| Hospitalization Costs (per day) | ・Private Room: $610 ・ICU: $2,220 |
| Appendicitis Surgery Costs | Total: $5,550 (Average hospital stay: 3 days) |
| Fracture Treatment Costs | $333 |
Examples of Actual Insurance Claims in Australia
ill or being involved in accidents while abroad. It’s not uncommon for such individuals to experience unforeseen illnesses or accidents while traveling.
Be well-prepared for the worst-case scenario.
In Australia, the longer the hospitalization, the more staggering the medical bills can be. How to deal with these high-cost claims is an important consideration when traveling to Australia.
①: 18 Days of Hospitalization & Surgery
During their stay in Australia, the individual suddenly experienced difficulty breathing and a persistent cough.
After seeking medical attention, they were diagnosed with pneumothorax and underwent surgery, staying in the hospital for 18 days.
The total cost amounted to $45,110.
②: Fall, Fractures, Helicopter Transport
While sightseeing at Ayers Rock, the individual fell and hit their face hard, requiring transport by helicopter to the hospital. They were diagnosed with a thoracic vertebra compression fracture and rib fractures.
After being transferred from a local hospital to a better-equipped hospital by small plane, they stayed in the hospital for 4 days.
The total bill came to $26,927.
③: Endometriosis, 6 Days of Hospitalization & Surgery
While staying in Australia, the individual experienced severe abdominal pain, dizziness, and nausea.
After seeking medical attention, they were diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery, spending 6 days in the hospital.
The total bill amounted to $27,268.
④: Ankle Fracture, 13 Days of Hospitalization & Surgery
The individual tripped and fell at a gas station and was taken to a hospital, where they were diagnosed with an ankle fracture.
They were transported by helicopter to a better-equipped hospital and underwent surgery.
After 13 days of hospitalization, the bill totaled $46,141.
⑤: Femur Fracture, 6 Days of Hospitalization & Surgery
After falling while running downhill and injuring their thigh, the individual was transported by ambulance to a hospital.
They were diagnosed with a femur shaft fracture and underwent surgery, staying in the hospital for 6 days.
The total cost came to $32,811.
Top 3 Travel Insurance Options for High Medical Claims in Australia
If you encounter unexpected issues or accidents while traveling in Australia and need medical treatment, you may be faced with staggering bills.
To avoid such costly situations, it is highly recommended to secure travel insurance before heading to Australia.
Here are three online travel insurance options that are easy to apply for.
①：Safety Wing
Safety Wing offers affordable and comprehensive travel insurance. You can sign up even while you’re already abroad.
Features of Safety Wing
- Monthly Premium: $56.28
- Insurance Period: Can be purchased for as short as 5 days
- No Waiting Period for Enrollment from Overseas
- 24/7 Live Chat Support
- Coverage for Flight Delays and Lost Baggage
- Easy Quotation and Application Process for Enrollment
The specific details of the insurance coverage are as follows:
| Coverage Type | Maximum Benefit Amount | Covered Instances |
| Medical Insurance | $250,000 | Hospitalization, nursing care, ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnostics, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, complications of pregnancy |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $1,000 | Emergency dental treatment for the onset of acute pain (sudden and unexpected) |
| Emergency Transportation | $100,000 | Emergency transportation costs to a well-equipped hospital |
| Medical Return | $5,000 | Emergency return costs for medical reasons |
| Emergency Return | $5,000 | Travel expenses for emergency return due to family bereavement |
| Lost Baggage | $3,000 | If the baggage is not found after 10 days of it being reported lost (maximum $500 per item) |
| Flight Delay | $200 | Meal and accommodation expenses for delays over 12 hours (maximum $100 per day for up to 2 days) |
| Passport Theft | $100 | Costs for reissuing a passport or visa if stolen |
| Car Accident | $250,000 | Accidental car accidents occurring while holding a valid license and wearing safet |
| Trip Interruption (Return) | $250,000 | Circumstances requiring return, such as family death |
| Death | $20,000 | Transportation costs for repatriating remains to Japan (or $10,000 for local burial) |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
Safety Wing is an overseas travel insurance option that offers excellent cost-performance with comprehensive coverage. The medical insurance can cover up to $250,000.
For those looking to minimize insurance costs, you can enroll in a 4-week insurance plan for just $56.28, or customize the insurance period to match your travel days.
You can easily estimate your insurance premiums on the Safety Wing official website.
②: World Nomads
World Nomads is a popular overseas travel insurance option for freelancers and digital nomads working abroad.
It offers comprehensive coverage with high benefit amounts for various situations.
Features of World Nomads
- Insurance costs vary based on the destination
(e.g., for a 4-week period including the U.S., the monthly premium is $265.07). - Medical coverage limits are up to $5 million (or unlimited).
- Coverage for flight delays and lost baggage.
- 24/7 support (phone/email).
The specific details of the insurance coverage are as follows:
| Coverage Type | Maximum Benefit Amount | Covered Instances |
| Medical Insurance | $5 million | Hospitalization, nursing care, ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnostics, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, etc. |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $300 | Emergency dental treatment for the onset of acute pain (sudden and unexpected) |
| Medical Transportation | $500,000 | Emergency transportation costs to a well-equipped hospital |
| Emergency Return | $500,000 | Costs incurred for emergency return due to sudden illness or injury |
| Baggage Coverage | $2,500 | Coverage for theft, damage, or loss of baggage during travel |
| Flight Delay | $500 | Additional accommodation or transportation costs due to flight cancellations or delays over 12 hours |
| Trip Interruption (Return) | $3,500 | Costs for return due to family illness or death |
| Death | $15,000 | Transportation costs for repatriating remains to Japan, or costs for local burial |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
World Nomads is particularly recommended for those planning to travel to the U.S. or Canada, where medical expenses are significantly high. The insurance coverage is very comprehensive, offering medical insurance benefits of up to $5 million or unlimited coverage.
Please note that the insurance premium for World Nomads varies depending on the country you plan to travel to (the country where you want the insurance to apply).
You can check the insurance premiums for your destination country on the World Nomads official website.
③: Heymondo
Heymondo is an affordable overseas nomad insurance option for those planning to stay abroad for an extended period.
By enrolling in a 3-month plan, you can keep the monthly insurance premium low.
Features of Heymondo
- Cost-effective 3-month plan for long-term travelers.
- Insurance premiums vary based on the country you are traveling to.
- Medical coverage limits are up to $5 million (or $10 million).
- Coverage for flight delays and lost baggage.
- 24/7 support (phone/email).
The specific details of the insurance coverage are as follows.
| Coverage Type | Maximum Benefit Amount | Covered Instances |
| Medical Insurance | $5 million | Hospitalization, nursing care, ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnostics, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, etc. |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $300 | Emergency dental treatment for the onset of acute pain (sudden and unexpected) |
| Extended Stay Costs | $1,800 | Emergency transportation costs to a well-equipped hospital |
| Emergency Transportation | $5 million | Costs for emergency return due to medical reasons |
| Baggage Coverage | $1,700 | Costs for return due to family death, requiring emergency return |
| Flight Delay | $450 | Meal and accommodation costs for delays over 12 hours (up to $100 per day for a maximum of 2 days) |
| Trip Interruption (Return) | $3,500 | Costs for return due to family illness or death |
| Death | $100,000 | Transportation costs for repatriation of remains to Japan, or $10,000 for local burial |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
Heymondo offers multiple insurance plans. The above details pertain to the general insurance plan (Travel Insurance Top).
Insurance premiums vary depending on the plan, but you can also choose a plan that includes high medical coverage of $10 million.
You can estimate the insurance premium on Heymondo official website.
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