It may be a long flight from Europe or the USA but Australia offers so many delights, from its natural beauty to its easy-going lifestyle that the trip is well worth it. As one of the countries with the highest quality of life in the world, it’s no surprise that Australia boasts an impressive healthcare system that makes it very attractive to medical tourists.

     The “sunburned country” truly offers something for everyone with its glorious beaches, striking outback, beautiful wine country and some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Whether you are looking for eco-tourism adventures in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain or want to chill out in Sydney overlooking the glorious harbor, there is something for you. Australia is also an easy destination for Western visitors sharing much cultural commonality with Europe and North America. Added to this is Australia’s world-renowned medical facilities and practitioners, leading the world in a number of fields including IVF and cancer treatment.

   

    Australia is brim-full of top international medical centers and hospitals - the best in the Southern Hemisphere. While the country has no national policy to support medical tourism, Australia’s user-friendly medical system makes it an attractive medical destination. Australia is a world leader in orthopedic surgery, cardiology, oncology, bariatric surgery, urology, transplant surgeries, IVF and cancer treatments and its services in these specialties are significantly cheaper than in the USA and developed eastern Asian countries like South Korea and Japan. Procedures like lap-band surgery in Australia cost around half of what they would in the USA, while heart bypass surgery in Australia usually costs less than $50,000 compared with more than $100,000 in the USA.

     Australia is a late starter in marketing itself as a medical tourism destination but government regulation is stringent and patient care is second to none. Plus, English is the native language which makes it even easier for medical tourists from the USA and UK. Current numbers of international tourists traveling to Australia specifically for medical treatment are still less than 10,000 per year with many coming from eastern Asia for complex surgeries.

    While the larger hospitals in Australia’s major state capitals are well equipped to welcome international medical tourists they generally do not market themselves internationally. There are other excellent options, however, like the leading IVF program at Cairns Fertility Clinic in far north Queensland which actively seeks international patients and offers the advantage of including a five-star resort and spa, and being located within a short distance of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Forest.

      Post-procedural recovery options in Australia are vast. All of the country’s major cities offer extensive distractions in their cultural, historic and gastronomic offerings. The cities’ transport services and major buildings are also user-friendly for patients with limited mobility or other physical restrictions, thus making getting around easy.

     Outside of the cities, Australia is full of spas and recovery centers situated in beach, mountain and other pleasing locations.

     Australia offers visitors a three-month Medical Treatment Short Stay Visa designed specifically for visitors traveling for medical treatment or consultations, including visitors accompanying the patient. Travel can also be undertaken on a tourist visa.

     The cost of living in Australia is significantly less than in other Western countries including hotel rooms and other living costs associated with post-procedure recovery. The country is huge but transportation services are excellent and not expensive. It is also worth noting that Australia’s electrical system runs on 240 volts.