Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian healthcare system and your rights.
Australia’s health system provides quality, safe and affordable health care for people and their families. There are many providers of healthcare in Australia, including: primary care services delivered by general practitioners (GPs); medical specialists; allied health workers; pharmacists and nurses.
When getting healthcare in Australia, you have seven basic rights:
- Access: You have a right to healthcare services and treatment that meet your needs.
- Safety: You have a right to receive safe and high-quality healthcare and to be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes you feel safe.
- Respect: You have a right to be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect. Your culture, identity, beliefs and choices must be recognised and respected.
- Partnership: You have a right to ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication. You can make decisions with your healthcare provider.
- Information: You have a right to receive clear information about your condition, as well as the possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so you can give your informed consent. You also have the right to access your health information.
- Privacy: You have a right to have your personal privacy respected — information about you and your health must be kept secure and confidential.
- Give feedback: You have a right to provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that you are treated.
Most of what you say to health workers is confidential, and your confidentiality is a high priority as part of your health-care rights. However, health workers are bound by law to report certain things.
