Best Hospitals in Australia for Expats: 2026 Guide by City
Australia is known for its high-quality healthcare system, with strong public and private hospital networks across the country. Several Australian hospitals rank among the world’s best, making the country a trusted destination for expats seeking strong medical care.
Discover the world's top
health insurers.
Compare quotes with
a click of the button.
In this Pacific Prime article, we have compiled a list of the top hospitals in Australia by city for expats. We’ll also explain how public and private hospitals differ, how to access treatment, and what health insurance options are available for expats in Australia.
Top Hospitals in Australia for Expats
As a country of its size, Australia offers a large selection of exceptional health services for both residents and expats. Hospitals such as Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The Alfred Hospital consistently rank among the top 100 best hospitals in the world.
Public hospitals in Australia are known for comprehensive facilities and accessibility, while private hospitals are preferred for shorter wait times and more options for specialist care.
The following list features both public and private hospitals in some of the most popular Australian cities for expats to make it easy to find the care you need.
Top Hospitals in Sydney
Address: 575 Canterbury Rd, Campsie NSW 2194, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9787 0000
Address: Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Road, Concord NSW 2139
Phone: +61 2 9767 5000
Address: Corner of Elizabeth and Goulburn Streets, Liverpool, NSW 2170
Phone: +61 2 8738 3000
Address: 18 Coronation St, Mona Vale NSW 2103, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9998 6399
North Shore Private Hospital (private)
Address: Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065
Phone: +61 2 8425 3000
Prince of Wales Hospital (public)
Address: The Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031
Phone: +61 2 9382 2222
Royal North Shore Hospital (public)
Address: Reserve Rd, St Leonards NSW 2065
Phone: +61 2 9926 7111
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (public)
Address: 50 Missenden Rd, Camperdown NSW 2050
Phone: +61 2 9515 6111
St Vincent’s Private Hospital (private)
Address: 406 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 8382 7111
Address: Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Darcy Road, Westmead NSW 2145
Phone: +61 2 8890 5555
Top Hospitals in Melbourne
Address: 45 Studley Rd, Heidelberg VIC 3084
Phone: +61 3 9496 5000
Eastern Health – Box Hill Hospital (public)
Address: Building A 8 Arnold St, Box Hill, Vic 3128
Phone: 1300 342 255
The Alfred Hospital Melbourne (public)
Address: Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Phone: +61 3 9076 2000
Cabrini Malvern Hospital (private)
Address: 181-183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern VIC 3144
Phone: +61 3 9508 1222 (General enquiries) +61 3 9508 1500 (Emergency)
Address: 160 Gordon Street, Footscray 3011
Phone: 8345 6666
Melbourne Private Hospital (private)
Address: Melbourne Private 1F Royal Parade, Parkville 3052
Phone: +61 3 8341 3400
Monash Medical Centre (public)
Address: 46 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168,
Phone: +61 3 9594 6666
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (public)
Address: 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052
Phone: +61 3 9345 5522
Royal Melbourne Hospital (public)
Address: 300 Grattan St, Parkville VIC 3050
Phone: +61 3 9342 7000
St Vincent’s Private Hospital (private)
Address: 59 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9411 7111
Top Hospitals in Perth
Armadale Health Service (public)
Address: 3056 Albany Highway, Mount Nasura, WA 6112
Phone: +61 8 9391 2000
Fiona Stanley Hospital (public)
Address: 11 Robin Warren Drive, Murdoc,h WA 6150
Phone: 6152 2222
Hollywood Private Hospital (private)
Address: Monash Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009
Phone: +61 8 9346 6000
Address: 150 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA 6000
Phone: +61 8 9327 1100
Perth Children’s Hospital (public)
Address: 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
Phone: +61 8 6456 2222
Royal Perth Hospital – Wellington Street Campus
Address: 197 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 600
Phone: +61 8 9224 2244
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (public)
Address: Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009
Phone: +61 8 6457 3333
St John Of God Hospital Murdoch (private)
Address: 100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch, WA 6150
Phone: +61 8 9438 9000
St. John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital (public site/private site)
Address: 1 Clayton Street, Midland, WA, 6056
Phone: +61 8 9462 4000 (public) +61 8 9462 4500 (private)
St. John of God Subiaco Hospital (private)
Address: 12 Salvado Road, Subiaco, WA, 6008
Phone: +61 8 9382 6111
Top Hospitals in Adelaide
Address: 55-59 Anzac Highway, Ashford, South Australia, Australia
Phone: +61 8 8375 5222
Address: 120 Kensington Road, Toorak Gardens, SA 5065
Phone: +61 8 8202 7222
Calvary Adelaide Hospital (private)
Address: 120 Angas Street, Adelaide, SA, Australia, South Australia
Phone: +61 8 8227 7000
Flinders Medical Centre (public)
Address: Flinders Dr, Bedford Park SA 5042
Phone: +61 8 8204 5511
Lyell McEwin Hospital (public)
Address: Haydown Road, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia 5112
Phone: +61 8 8182 9000
The Memorial Hospital (private)
Address: Sir Edwin Smith Avenue, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Phone: +61 8 8366 3800
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (public)
Address: 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA 5011
Phone: +61 8 8222 6000
Royal Adelaide Hospital (public)
Address: Port Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: +61 8 7074 0000
St. Andrew’s Hospital (private)
Address: 350 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: +61 8 8408 2111
Women’s and Children’s Hospital (public)
Address: 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide 5006 SA
Phone: +61 8 8161 7000
Top Hospitals in Brisbane
Address: 259 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane 4000
Phone: +61 7 3834 6111
Green Slope Private Hospital (private)
Address: Newdegate Street, Greenslopes, Qld 4120
Phone: +61 7 3394 7111
Mater Hospital Brisbane (public)
Address: Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Phone: +61 7 3163 8111
Mater Private Hospital Brisbane (private)
Address: 301 Vulture Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Phone: +61 7 3163 8111
Princess Alexandra Hospital (public)
Address: 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102
Phone: +61 7 3176 2111
The Prince Charles Hospital (public)
Address: 627 Rode Road, Chermside, QLD 4032
Phone: +61 7 3139 4000
Queensland Children’s Hospital (public)
Address: 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101
Phone: +61 7 3068 1111
Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital (public)
Address: Cnr Butterfield St and Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, QLD 4029
Phone: +61 7 3646 8111
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital (private)
Address: 457 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Phone: +61 7 3834 4444
Address: 451 Coronation Drive, Auchenflower, Qld 4066
Phone: +61 7 3232 7000
Public vs Private: How to Choose Your Hospital in Australia
Both public and private hospitals are exceptional in Australia; expats who need emergency care or treatments for complex conditions might want to consider a public hospital, while those needing prompt elective procedures might opt for a private hospital.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are 704 public hospitals and 633 private hospitals throughout the country. Which one to pick could be a tough choice; here are some more detailed comparisons for your consideration.
Public Hospitals in Australia
Public hospitals in Australia are owned and managed by the state or territory governments of Australia and receive funding from the Australian government. They are renowned for providing free medical services for anyone with a Medicare card.
The upside of public hospitals in Australia is accessibility. Whether you are in a major city or the countryside, you are sure to find one. If you live in the countryside, public hospitals might be your best choice for medical services, as private hospitals are limited outside major cities.
Public hospitals in Australia are known for comprehensive medical facilities, equipped for a wider range of conditions and more complex cases compared to their private counterparts. They also operate the majority of outpatient services and 24-hour emergency departments in Australia.
A point to note is that public hospitals’ services are free only for Australians and those who have a Medicare card. If you do not have a Medicare card, you will need to cover the expenses yourself, or you might need private health insurance to do so.
You also might not be able to choose which doctors to see in public hospitals. You will be treated by a team of doctors nominated by the hospital, and certain amenities might not be available for you, such as private rooms or follow-up care in private clinics.
Waiting lists for elective procedures are generally longer in public hospitals compared to private ones as well. If comfort and speedy procedures are what you are looking for, private hospitals might be a better option for you.
Private Hospitals in Australia
Private hospitals in Australia are owned and run by private entities, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The Australian government exercises rigorous oversight for private hospitals. They must be approved and licensed by the relevant state or territory governments.
Unlike public hospitals, private hospitals in Australia charge fees for their services. They are funded by out-of-pocket payments from patients, private health insurers, and governmental bodies if they are contracted to provide services for public hospitals.
Private hospitals are more available in major cities compared to the countryside, and there are certain upsides you might want to consider.
First and foremost, you can choose which doctor to see, an option that might not be available at public hospitals. Some doctors also work exclusively in private hospitals.
Waiting times for elective and planned procedures are generally shorter in private hospitals. Most of the elective procedures and surgeries in Australia are done in private hospitals.
Private hospitals also offer more amenities, such as private rooms, a better doctor-to-patient ratio, and a more pleasant and calming atmosphere. The downside is that you will need to cover your own treatment or have private health insurance that will cover you.
Can I Choose Where to Get Hospital Care in Australia?
You can choose either public or private hospitals for your medical care in Australia. Here are some general guides for how to seek medical and hospital care in Australia.
For any emergency care you need, you can go to the nearest emergency department available. If you are unable to make a trip to the hospital yourself, you can dial triple zero (000) for ambulance services.
Please note that ambulance services are free only in the states of Tasmania and Queensland. In other states, you will need private health insurance to cover the cost of emergency transportation to hospitals.
If you are not sure whether your condition is an emergency or not, you can contact the HealthDirect helpline at 1800 022 222 to talk to a registered nurse. HealthDirect is a national health advice service funded by the Australian government with a 24-hour helpline service.
If your condition is not critical, you are likely to receive your care from a General Practitioner (GP). Should your condition need to be seen by a specialist or require further treatments, the GP will refer you to a hospital with a referral letter.
Healthcare and Hospital Options for Expats in Australia
Primarily, there are two options for anyone to get their healthcare covered in Australia: Medicare or private health insurance. We will explain these options below:
Medicare
Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme to ensure that all Australians and eligible overseas visitors have equitable access to medical services.
To be eligible for Medicare, you must:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- Be an Australian permanent resident
- have applied for permanent residency
- be a temporary resident covered by a ministerial order
- be a citizen or permanent resident of Norfolk Island, Cocos Islands, Christmas Island, or Lord Howe Island.
Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements
Australia has Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with 11 nations. If you are a citizen or a resident of these nations and are enrolled under the national health insurance scheme, you might be eligible to enroll in the Australian Medicare scheme.
11 nations with Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with Australia include:
- Belgium
- Finland
- Italy
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- The Republic of Ireland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- The United Kingdom
To find out more about the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, please visit this dedicated Reciprocal Health Care Agreements page by Services Australia.
Private Health Insurance
If you are not eligible for the Medicare scheme, you will need private health insurance to cover any medical services you receive in Australia. There are certain perks that private health insurance can offer you outside of your medical coverage as well.
Most importantly, private health insurance can unlock more options for medical services for you in Australia. With private health insurance, you can receive comprehensive care for your sensitive condition at a public hospital as well as undergo a prompt elective procedure at a private facility.
Private health insurance plans come in various shapes and forms to accommodate the diverse needs of each person. By working with an insurance broker like Pacific Prime, you can compare quotes and coverage of multiple private health insurance companies with ease at once.
Contact an insurance expert at Pacific Prime today, so we can help you find a health insurance plan that is tailor-made for your time in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is healthcare in Australia free for expats?
Healthcare in Australia is free only for Australians and overseas visitors with a Medicare card. If you are not eligible for Medicare coverage, you will need to pay out of your pocket or have private health insurance to cover your medical expenses.
How much does it cost to go to the hospital in Australia?
Overseas visitors without a Medicare card can expect to pay AUD 519–2,470 for an emergency department visit and AUD 391 for an outpatient or telephone consultation. Inpatient services cost about AUD 3,087–3,118 per admission, excluding additional fees, according to the Royal Perth Hospital.
Do you need to pay for hospital treatment in Australia?
Hospital treatment in Australia is covered by Medicare for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and overseas visitors who are eligible for Medicare. You will need to pay for your hospital treatment if you are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
Can foreigners get Medicare in Australia?
Foreigners from 11 nations with Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with Australia are eligible to enroll in the Medicare scheme of Australia.
Choosing the Right Care in Australia
Australia offers ample choices of public and private medical services, all under rigorous oversight of state governments and the Australian government’s Department of Health and Aged Care. Expats can expect high standards of treatment across major cities and regional centres.
With the right private health insurance plan, you can reduce out-of-pocket costs, access private facilities, and shorten waiting times for certain procedures.
If you need help comparing plans, Pacific Prime offers free and no-obligation health insurance plan comparison and advice to help you find cover that fits your needs and budget.
Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.
In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.
- Best Hospitals in Australia for Expats: 2026 Guide by City - September 21, 2026
- Top Non-Monetary Employee Benefits in 2026 - September 21, 2026
- Singapore Investor Visa: 2026 Requirements - September 21, 2026
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post
We'll notify you
when our team replies!