10 July 2024

NSW Health is providing access to free public hospital services for people fleeing the Israel-Gaza war who arrived in Australia on, or after, 17 October 2023.

This is a temporary arrangement under the NSW Health policy for asylum seekers as many who fled the Israel-Gaza war did so on a visitor/tourist visa which does not generally include access to Medicare.

NSW Health public hospitals, mental health services, NSW Ambulance and NSW Health Pathology are required to waive fees for public health services such as emergency care, ambulatory and outpatient care, maternity services (antenatal and postnatal care), mental health services and ambulance transport for emergencies.

Patients will need to provide relevant documentation such as a visa, passport or travel documents.  

For more information:

Free public healthcare (English)

Free public healthcare (Arabic)

Free public health care (Hebrew)

Torture & trauma service Referrals can be made to STARTTS. Medicare is not required. Call 9646 6800 and ask for the Intake Counsellor.

Emergency financial assistance: Red Cross

For any further information call the NSW Refugee Health Service on 9794 0770.