Out-of-pocket costs for specialist medical appointments in Australia are rising faster than inflation and population growth, leaving many patients struggling to afford care. A Perth mother, Veronica, recently received an email from her son's paediatrician stating that a one-hour appointment would increase to $1,000. The practice cited rising costs for rent, electricity, and wages as reasons for the fee hike.
Veronica, whose son has ADHD and level 2 autism, said she was shocked by the increase. She now relies on shorter 15-minute annual appointments, but worries that if her son needs reassessment, the high costs could delay necessary care. “Children progress, and they need intervention quickly,” she said.
Dr Elizabeth Deveny, chief executive of the Consumer Health Forum, described the affordability of specialist care as a “live issue” and said Australia is at a “tipping point”. A survey of 5,000 Australians found that only 32% felt confident they could afford necessary care if seriously ill, and 49% had skipped healthcare in the past year due to cost.
Associate Professor Kudzai Kanhutu, dean of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, noted “big care deserts” due to a lack of national coordination in specialist training. A Grattan Institute report highlighted a shortage of training positions, particularly in under-supplied specialties like dermatology, obstetrics, and ophthalmology.
Associate Professor Julian Rait of the Australian Medical Association said rising overheads, including wages and insurance, are driving up costs. He argued that the public system, meant to act as a safety net, is overwhelmed, pushing demand into the private sector. Professor Anthony Scott from Monash University added that state governments and specialist colleges often blame each other for the lack of training places, as public hospital budgets are fixed.
