Working in Australia
The Healthcare System
Australia has a universal system of health services, known as Medicare, which was instituted in 1984, provided by both private and government institutions. It coexists with a private health system. As well as Medicare, there is a separate Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that heavily subsidizes prescription medications. In 2007-08, Australia spent 9.1% of GDP on health care, or AUD$4874 per capita.
In general terms where the Government pays the large subsidy, the patient pays the remainder out of pocket, unless the provider of the service chooses to use bulk billing, charging only the scheduled fee, leaving the patient with no extra costs. In some countries, this is commonly referred to as a copayment. Where a particular service is not covered, such as Dentistry, Optometry, and Ambulance transport, the Patient must pay the full amount (unless they hold a Low Income Earner card, which may entitle them to subsidised access).
Individuals can choose to take out Private Health Insurance to cover these costs, with either a plan that covers just selected services, to a full coverage plan. In practice, a person using private insurance may still be left with out of pocket payments, as services in private hospitals often cost more than the insurance payment.
Individuals are encouraged to purchase private health services. The Government achieves this through a Surcharge in tax at which an individuals above a set income level are penalised for not taking out private health insurance, and a means-tested rebate.
The medical practice tends to be a mixture of the UK evidence-based healthcare model and the more innovative US style of medicine.
In addition, Australia is a growing centre for medical research with rapidly increasing resources targeted to this.
Radiology and pathology services have been corporatised in Australia in recent years and so digital radiology, image distribution systems, extremely rapid pathology investigations, same-day reporting etc are all normal practice in Australia.
Medical Clinics are subject to regular accreditation and in recent years have adopted a strong focus towards electronic medical records and a strong focus on primary or preventative medical services.
Almost all hospitals in Australia will usually have an in-hospital intranet for dispersing medical information and test results within the hospital and some hospitals are in the process of moving to wireless technology for the dispersion of results and medical data.
Australia as a Destination
Many doctors choose to work in Australia because:
- Both are countries of outstanding natural beauty, cleanliness and also have an unrivalled climate.
- Their health systems are similar to the UK, USA, Ireland, South Africa or Canada.
- Both have excellent standards of clinical practice.
- They have high salaries and offer an exceptional quality of life.
- They offer the chance to experience a different environment, climate and culture.
- Both are English speaking countries.
- They offer great opportunities for postgraduate training and medical career advancement.
- The cost of living is much lower than in the UK, USA, Canada or Ireland and so the average doctor's disposable income is often more than it would be in other countries.
- Due to their demographics and geography both have temporary positions for doctors of most specialties available.
