Is it free to see a doctor in Australia depends on whether you have Medicare and whether GP bulk bills. For Australian citizens, permanent residents and some temporary residents from reciprocal countries who are enrolled in Medicare, it can be free if you see a bulk-billing GP, which means GP bills Medicare directly and you pay $0, with about 70% to 80% of GP visits bulk billed in 2024, especially for children under 16, pensioners and concession card holders. However, many GPs charge private fees with gap, so you pay $40 to $80 gap after Medicare rebate of $41.20 for standard consultation, with total fee $80 to $120. For specialist, even with Medicare referral, you usually pay gap of $100 to $300, as specialists rarely bulk bill. For public hospital doctors in emergency department, it is free for Medicare holders. For tourists without Medicare, it is not free, GP costs $80 to $120, emergency $500 to $1,000. Tourists from 11 countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreement can enrol in Medicare and get free medically necessary GP if bulk billed, but many GPs still charge. So for Australians with bulk-billing GP, it is free, otherwise $30 to $80 gap. For tourists, not free unless RHCA and bulk billed. Overall, Medicare provides free access to public hospital doctors and bulk-billing GPs, but not all doctors bulk bill, so many Australians pay gap, and visitors pay full fee without insurance.
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