Health and Safety
Australia has one of the best health care systems in the world but medical treatment can be very expensive with public hospital beds costing as much as a thousand dollars a day. As a tourist, you are not covered by Australia's national health scheme, Medicare, unless there is a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and your country. It's a definite must to have some form of health insurance coverage arranged for your stay in Tasmania and this can be done through an insurance broker or an Australian health care company such as MBF,or Medibank Private.
Republic of Ireland and New Zealand
Residents of Ireland and N.Z. visiting Australia are entitled to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment for the duration of their visit.
For more details visit the Australian Government Medicare website
Information Sheet for New Zealanders living in Australia wanting to enrol in Medicare
United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta and Italy
Residents of these countries are entitled to subsidised medical care under reciprocal national health care agreements.
For more details visit the Australian Government Medicare website
Bringing Medicine into Australia
If bringing medicine into Australia you need to check what regulations apply. On entering Australia you need to declare all drugs and medicines including prescription medications, alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral preparation formulas to Customs and Border Protection. Some products require a permit or quarantine clearance and/or a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medication and medical condition.
Further information regarding medicines is available on the Department of Health website.
Tasmanian Hospitals
Major public hospitals are
Royal Hobart Hospital
48 Liverpool Street, Hobart 7001 Ph: +61 3 6222 8308
Launceston General Hospital
287-289 Charles Street, Launceston 7250 Ph: +61 3 6348 7111
Other Public Tasmanian Hospitals can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services
A number of Private Hospitals operate in Tasmania.
