Travelling overseas for medical treatment, dental work, or cosmetic procedures can be appealing. Lower costs, shorter waiting times, and access to services not available in Australia are among the reasons Australians seek treatment overseas.
But having a medical procedure overseas comes with extra risks. Standards of care, infection control and legal protections can be very different in other countries. If something goes wrong, you could face serious health problems, extra costs, and trouble getting follow-up care.
Almost half of Australians have travelled or would consider travelling overseas for a medical procedure, according to travel insurance research by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Insurance Council of Australia.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is when you go overseas for a medical procedure or treatment. This can include:
- cosmetic surgery
- dental procedures
- fertility treatment
- eye surgery
- weight loss surgery
- other elective or specialist medical treatments.
Some people combine their treatment with a holiday. Others go because it’s cheaper or easier to get the treatment done overseas.
Lower costs and shorter wait times are the main reasons people consider seeking medical care overseas, according to DFAT's research.
What should I know before I go?
Get reliable, official information before you book a procedure overseas. Always do your research. Don’t choose based on cost alone.
Before committing to a procedure:
- research the healthcare system in your destination
- confirm the credentials and accreditation of your surgeon or healthcare provider
- check the reputation of the clinic or hospital
- understand your legal rights if something goes wrong
- learn about any follow-up care you'll need once you return to Australia.
Take the time to verify information through official sources. Get independent medical advice if you can. This helps you make a better decision before you go.
What are the risks?
All medical procedures have risks. Complications can happen during or after treatment, even if you’re young and healthy. Some problems may not be treatable in the country where you had your procedure. Others might only show up after you get back to Australia.
If your procedure goes wrong, fixing it can cost much more than the original treatment. You could end up paying a lot more than you planned.
In serious cases, you or your insurer may have to pay for a medical evacuation back to Australia.
Will I be covered my travel insurance?
Basic travel insurance usually won’t cover you for medical tourism. Most standard policies exclude elective procedures and any problems that come from them.
Our research found that only one-third of survey respondents were aware they may need additional insurance cover for an overseas medical procedure.
Make sure your travel insurance covers your procedure. Read the product disclosure statement before you buy, so you know what’s included and what’s not.
How do I plan for if things go wrong?
Before travelling, think about how you'll manage if something goes wrong.
- Before you travel, plan for what you’ll do if something goes wrong. Think about the support you’ll need.
- Take someone with you. You'll need their support if things go wrong. They may need to make decisions for you.
- Check that your travel insurance covers elective procedures, complications and medical evacuation after a planned procedure.
- Update your will before you go. It may sound morbid, but it’s important. Every medical procedure has risks.
- Find out how the Australian Government may be able to help you overseas. Read the Consular Services Charter.
- For more information, read our advice about going overseas for a medical procedure.