Hospital treatment costs for overseas visitors and students

If you are an overseas visitor or student and need health care at a SMHS hospital while you are in Australia, it is important to know what you will have to pay for.

If you have travel health insurance

If you have travel health insurance, let the hospital staff know so they can record your insurance details.

Depending on your level of cover, your insurer may pay some or all of your hospital treatment costs. Check with your insurer to see what treatment you are covered for.

In some cases, you may need to pay a deposit, but the hospital will let you know.

The hospital will contact you directly if there is a problem with your claim.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

Overseas visitors holding a valid visa and who are residents of a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) country can receive ‘medically necessary’ treatment under the Australian Government’s Medicare system.

‘Medically necessary’ treatment covers ill-health or injury that occurs while visiting Australia and requires treatment before you return home.

RHCA eligibility generally depends on a person being a resident (not necessarily a citizen) of their home country and a visitor to Australia.

Australia currently holds agreements with the following countries:

• Belgium
• Finland
• Italy*
• Malta*
• the Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Republic of Ireland
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland).

*First six months of arrival.

To receive free emergency treatment under an RHCA you must provide proof of your eligibility, usually in the form of a valid:

• Reciprocal Medicare card
• passport and/or European Health Insurance Card for the relevant country.

Visit Services Australia (external site) for more information about these agreements, including information in different languages.

For residents of countries without an RHCA

If you are a resident of a country that does not have an RHCA with Australia, you:

• cannot receive free treatment via Medicare
• are responsible for the payment of all costs associated with your hospital treatment, unless you hold adequate travel health insurance.

These costs include:

• accommodation costs for inpatient and same day admitted services – you can request a list of these costs from admissions or emergency department clerical staff or the Compensable Patient Liaison Officer
• emergency department costs based on level of urgency as determined by nursing staff
• costs for medical services, pathology, radiology, pharmaceutical, prosthesis, and orthoses
• outpatient treatment costs per appointment (including telephone consultations).

If you are on a student visa

Only overseas visitors on student visas from the following countries are covered by RHCAs:

• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• the Netherlands
• Belgium
• Sweden
• Italy.

Most foreign students studying in Australia are not covered by a RHCA. These students are required to take out Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and must maintain that cover throughout their stay in Australia.

More information

If you require more information about your eligibility, need your hospital journey explained, or have questions about any hospital bills you have received, please contact:

Fiona Stanley Hospital

Compensable Patient Administration Officer
Phone: (08) 6152 7910
Email: FSH.Revenue@health.wa.gov.au
7am – 4pm, 7 days per week

Fremantle Hospital

Compensable Patient Administration Officer
Phone: (08) 9431 2479
Email: PPLOFH@health.wa.gov.au
8am – 4pm Monday to Friday

Peel Health Campus

Compensable Patient Liaison Officer
Phone: 9531 8000
Email: phc.cplo@health.wa.gov.au
8am – 4pm, Monday to Friday

Rockingham General Hospital

Compensable Patient Liaison Officer
Phone: (08) 9599 4382 or (08) 9599 4306
Email: rpg.pplo@health.wa.gov.au
8am – 4pm, Monday to Friday