Public healthcare access for asylum seekers

People seeking asylum in Australia who are not eligible for Medicare (Australia's publicly-funded universal health care insurance scheme) can access public hospitals in Queensland for free, as set out in the fees and charges for Health Care Services Directive.

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Services available

Under the directive, asylum seekers are able to access medical, dental and pharmaceutical services provided by Queensland's Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) network.

Medical services

Services available to asylum seekers through public hospitals include (but are not limited to):

  • medical
  • surgery
  • allied health
  • mental health
  • pathology
  • radiology
  • cardiology
  • maternity.

Dental services

Asylum seekers are entitled to a general course of public oral health services delivered through HHSs, as stated in the Oral Health Services Eligibility Queensland Health Guideline (PDF 228 kB).

A referral form is required from an authorised support agency or community health clinic.

Pharmaceuticals

Fees for pharmaceuticals should not be charged to people seeking asylum if they do not have a Medicare card.

Services not available to asylum seekers through public hospitals

GP services

GP services are not normally provided by HHSs except in some rural and regional areas. In those areas the fees and charges for Health Care Services Directive applies.

The directive does not apply to providers who are not employed through or by an HHS, such as private providers.

Private practice clinic consultations

Private consultations are not a public health service under the fees and charges for Health Care Services Directive.

Temporary recognition of displaced people from Israel-Palestine conflict as asylum seekers to access healthcare in Queensland

Queensland Health recognises people fleeing the Israel-Palestine conflict as asylum seekers and provides them access to public hospitals and health services free of charge.

People fleeing the conflict who arrived in Australia on or after 7 October 2023, will be eligible to access health care where they:

  • Are not covered by private health insurance
  • Are not on a Visa that grants Medicare eligibility
  • Are not already covered by the Qld Health Asylum Seeker Directive (already on a visa type with asylum seeker status)
  • Have not yet applied for protection in Australia

A similar arrangement was first established in January 2024 and extended until 31 May 2025. This arrangement will be reviewed in November 2026.

Translated Information for Patients

Refugees arriving through the Humanitarian Settlement Program

For further information about healthcare access for people arriving in Queensland as part of the Humanitarian Settlement Program please refer to Services for refugees and asylum seekers.

Last updated: 18 December 2025