Doctors, dentists and prescriptions

Find out about the fees, charges and subsidies for prescriptions, seeing your general practitioner (GP), a medical specialist or dentist. Find and enrol with a GP in your area.

  • Find a doctor

    Doctors and practice nurses work in a general practice (medical centre). Find a medical centre to enrol with.

  • Paying for visits to doctors

    Ask your doctors’ practice or medical centre how much they charge for doctor visits. Children, and some people who need to visit their doctor often, can get free or cheaper visits.

  • Seeing a specialist

    When you see a specialist, you’ll visit a medically trained and registered healthcare professional in that field of medicine. In most cases, you need to visit your General Practitioner (GP) first so they can refer you.

  • Prescription charges

    You pay a contribution to the cost of the medicines prescribed by your doctor — currently this is $5 for most items. If your medicine is not fully subsidised, you might have to pay more.

  • Prescription subsidy scheme

    If you’ve paid for 20 prescriptions in a year (from 1 February), you do not have to pay any more prescription charges for the rest of that year (to 31 January).

  • Government help with dental costs

    Basic dental services are free until you’re 18. If you need dental care after 18, and you’re on a low income or have a disability, illness or injury, you can apply for government help.

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