Ruqayyah Snyder
Dialysis is a safe and effective treatment for kidney failure, but it is expensive, costing $50,000 to $100,000 per patient annually in Australia. While dialysis treatment in Australia is free for all patients, there are increasing pressures on the public healthcare system, with infrastructure funding and maintenance not keeping up with demand. The Australian government provides financial support to help cover dialysis costs, and patients doing home dialysis may be eligible for concessions on their water and electricity bills. For overseas visitors, dialysis treatment may be available depending on the country of origin and their Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dialysis cost in Australia | Free for all patients, but expensive for the system ($50,000-100,000 per patient annually) |
| Dialysis for overseas visitors | Available depending on the country of origin and capacity |
| Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) | New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, Netherlands |
| Holiday dialysis | Available in some cases, but advanced notice is required |
| Dialysis in Australia | Generally of a high standard |
| Number of people on dialysis treatment | 13,399 as of December 31, 2018 |
| Most common cause of ESKD | Diabetic nephropathy (38%) |
| Increased risk of death | 40% higher for Indigenous patients |
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What You'll Learn
Dialysis is free for Australian citizens
Dialysis is a safe and effective treatment for kidney failure. However, it is an expensive procedure, costing $50,000 to $100,000 per patient per year in Australia. While this financial burden is out of reach for many people worldwide, Australian citizens can access dialysis treatment for free.
The Australian government provides financial support to help cover dialysis costs, as well as travel costs and carer support costs. This support is available to all citizens and is especially important for those in rural and remote regions, who may have to travel long distances to access treatment. The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) helps rural and remote patients recoup travel and accommodation costs, and the amount of assistance varies per state.
For patients who perform dialysis at home, there are additional concessions available. These include discounts on water and electricity bills and access to the Essential Medical Equipment Payment program, which helps cover the costs of running a dialysis machine.
While dialysis is free for Australian citizens, overseas visitors may still be able to access treatment through Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA). Eligibility depends on the visitor's country of origin and their ability to present the correct documentation, such as a passport, visa, or European Health Card.
The availability of free dialysis treatment for both citizens and eligible overseas visitors ensures that those in need of this life-saving treatment can access it without financial barriers.
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Costs for overseas visitors
Dialysis in Australia is free for all patients, but there are increasing pressures on the public healthcare system. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries, so overseas visitors from these countries are entitled to free dialysis. These include New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. Visitors from these countries need to present their passports and, in some cases, travel visas or European health cards to be eligible for cover under Medicare.
If your country does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, you can still receive dialysis, but it must be paid for in advance. The cost of dialysis in Australia is $50,000 to $100,000 per patient annually.
If you are an overseas visitor and need holiday dialysis while in Melbourne, you can book this in advance, subject to availability, at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) units. If you have a Medicare card, RMH can provide holiday dialysis for you.
Please note that each state may impose its own limits on free treatments offered, and publicly funded dialysis is limited to one Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) patient at each site, subject to staffing and resources. Therefore, travellers may find it difficult to find capacity.
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Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Under these agreements, visitors from these countries may be entitled to dialysis in Australia, depending on their circumstances. For example, travellers from New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland can present their passports to hospital staff to be eligible for cover under Medicare, while travellers from Finland, Norway, or Sweden must register with Medicare by presenting their passports and travel visas. It is important to note that publicly funded dialysis is limited to one RHCA patient at each site, subject to staffing and resources, so travellers may encounter difficulties in finding capacity.
While reciprocal healthcare agreements can provide financial assistance for medical costs, they are not a substitute for travel insurance. It is recommended that travellers still purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuations, as the Australian government cannot pay medical bills or loan money to those receiving treatment in Australia.
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$43.99
Holiday dialysis
If you are a resident of Australia, you may be able to recoup travel and accommodation costs for medical treatment far away from home through the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS).
If you are visiting Australia, you may be entitled to dialysis depending on where you are from. Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with 11 countries, and dialysis services can be given for a maximum of four weeks, or 12 sessions within 12 months, from the date of the first treatment.
The Big Red Kidney Bus offers free holiday dialysis in NSW and Victoria at various locations. The service has been running since 2014 and visits holiday parks for four to six weeks at a time. Visitors need to organise and pay for their own accommodation and transport to and from the bus destination.
If you are planning a holiday and require dialysis, it is important to speak to your renal care centre staff to find out if you are well enough to travel. They can help you with your plans and ensure that the centre at your destination is prepared to receive you and provide treatment. It is recommended that you notify the staff about your trip as soon as possible.
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Government financial support
Dialysis treatment in Australia is free for all patients and is generally of a high standard. However, there are increasing pressures on the public healthcare system, which has led to a significant challenge. The growing number of patients on dialysis, especially older patients, has increased the demand for dialysis spots, with infrastructure funding and maintenance currently not keeping up with demand.
The Australian government provides financial support to help cover dialysis costs, travel costs, and carer support costs. The amount and type of support one is eligible for may vary, and to find out more, one can speak to their social worker or healthcare team. For patients in remote and rural areas, the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) may be available to recoup travel and accommodation costs for medical treatment far away from home. The amount of assistance varies per state.
For patients doing home dialysis, concessions on water and electricity bills may be available. Additionally, one may be eligible for the Essential Medical Equipment Payment program, which helps cover costs associated with running a dialysis machine.
For overseas visitors, publicly funded dialysis is limited to one Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) patient at each site, subject to staffing and resources. Eligibility for cover under Medicare varies depending on the country of origin. For instance, citizens from New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland need to present their passport to hospital staff to be eligible for cover under Medicare, whereas citizens from Finland, Norway, or Sweden must register at a Medicare office and obtain a Medicare number.
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Frequently asked questions
Dialysis is free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. However, there are increasing pressures on the public healthcare system, which has resulted in a significant challenge for the future of free dialysis in the country.
Visitors to Australia may be entitled to free dialysis depending on their country of origin. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries. If your country has such an agreement, you are entitled to dialysis without charge.
Dialysis costs $50,000-100,000 per patient annually in Australia.
