Health

If you've decided to move to South Australia from overseas, organising the move may appear to be a daunting task.

There are lots of immigration details to sort through, items to pack and decisions on what to leave behind and what to take. Advising people and/organisations of your move and managing the paperwork will take an organised approach.

We've included some general information below as well as in the links to the left. However, for the most up-to-date information it is suggested that you use the site Services SA at which contains a ton of information to help you make the move.

Hospitals

South Australia has several hospital services – made available through a network of Government, private, community, religious and other foundations.

The major health units are:

• Royal Adelaide Hospital
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Lyell McEwin Hospital
• Noarlunga Health Service
• Modbury Public Hospital
• Flinders Medical Centre
• The Womens’ and Childrens’
  

All of these hospitals are located in metropolitan Adelaide. A wide range of medical services is available through many of the larger country hospitals.

Community Health

South Australia offers numerous health centres, as well as some exclusively for women which provide medical, paramedical and support services to residents in both metropolitan and country locations. Most centres are concerned primarily with improving the health status of a specific local community or a target group, through illness prevention and health education. However, there are a number which provide general services to the South Australian community.

Domiciliary Care

South Australia also offers health support services to enable people to remain in their homes rather than to be in institutional care. The Royal District Nursing Society of South Australia provides a comprehensive home visiting and nursing service in the metropolitan area and in major country centres throughout the State.

Dental Services

Dental services are provided largely by private practitioners. However, the South Australia Dental Service operates a free, comprehensive dental care program for school children from its school-based clinics. It also provides general and specialist dental care through the Adelaide Dental Hospital and various community dental clinics throughout the State for people who are financially disadvantaged. Please note that there is a considerable waiting list for access to this service.

Child and Youth Health

A community-based child health service in South Australia plays a major role in the provision of primary health care to families across the State.

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services are provided in South Australia through the public hospital system and community health centres. They are made up of emergency and crisis services, treatment services for people with acute illness, rehabilitation and recovery services and services for people with severe and persistent needs.

As well as in-patient services, support is provided to people in the community through community teams, mental health focussed non-Government organisations, and the broader network of community support, information and advocacy services.

The Migrant Health Service

This is a multilingual access centre which provides health care and referral services for people with limited English. The service offers health assessment and screening, counselling, health education and language services.

Womens’ Health Services

These services have been established in 15 towns and cities in country South Australia to provide a comprehensive primary health care service for women.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service

The Red Cross collects and processes blood at its centres in Adelaide and Noarlunga and through a mobile unit which visits metropolitan, country and regional centres.

Ambulance Services

These are provided State-wide by the South Australia Ambulance Service, including an air ambulance service. An emergency evacuation service for people in outback areas is provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, which also provides regular clinics from its Port Augusta base to some of the State's remote communities.

Population Health Group

To protect the health and well being of the South Australian community, the Government has established a Population Health Group within the Strategic Planning and Policy Health Division of the Department of Human Services. It does this by surveillance of morbidity and mortality and developing and implementing strategies to prevent illness and promote good health and by administering public health law.

It covers areas including epidemiology and infectious disease control, environmental health (including air, water, land and food safety) and health promotion.

Important health-related services are also provided by independent health-related organisations such as the National Heart Foundation, the Anti-Cancer Foundation and SHINE South Australia.

Medicare

The Medicare system entitles all permanent resident Australians to free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital and free or subsidised treatment by a doctor (including treatment by specialists), participating optometrists or dentists for specified services.

Contributions to the health care system are made by each individual through taxes and the Medicare levy, collected through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Medicare’s Out-of-Hospital Services include :

• Doctor's and specialist's consultation and treatment fees
• X-rays
• Pathology tests
• Other medical tests
• Examinations and procedures

Medicare’s In-Hospital Services include:

If you need to go to hospital you can choose to be a public (Medicare) patient or a private patient in a public or private hospital.

• For public (Medicare) patients in public hospitals there is no cost.
• For private patients in public or private hospital, Medicare will pay 75% of the Scheduled Fee for all medical services provided by a doctor. However, it will not cover the cost of hospitalisation.

The Federal Government, through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, also subsidises the cost of some prescription medicines.

Private Health Insurance

Private Health Insurance is available from several Health Insurance companies.

The insurance will partially cover the costs of services such as private dental, optical and physiotherapy services in addition to fees associated with hospitalisation, depending on the premiums paid.

However, it does not guarantee you a 100% rebate of fees associated with hospitals, doctors and other medical expenses.

To find out more, contact:

The Department of Health

11 Hindmarsh Square
ADELAIDE SA 5000

Telephone: +61 8 8226 6000

Website: www.health.sa.gov.au