Skip to content
Healthslips logo
Greenslips logo
Healthslips logo
Explore Overview
Cover Overview
Hospital Cover (9 articles) Extras Cover (5 articles) Ambulance Cover (5 articles) Excluded Treatments
Insurers Overview
AAMI Health Insurance ACA Health ahm AIA Health Insurance Allianz Care Australia APIA Health Insurance Astute Simplicity Health Australian Unity Bupa Health Insurance CBHS Corporate CBHS Health Defence Health Doctors Health Emergency Services Health Frank GMHBA GU Health HBF HCF HCi Health Partners HIF Hunter Health Insurance (by CDH Benefits Fund) ING Health Insurance Latrobe Health Services Medibank Mildura Health Fund Navy Health nib Nurses and Midwives Health onemedifund Peoplecare Phoenix Health Fund Police Health Priceline Health Insurance Qantas Insurance  Queensland Country Health Fund Real Health Insurance Reserve Bank Health Society (RBHS) rt health see-u By HBF Seniors Health Insurance  St Lukes Health Suncorp Health Insurance  Teachers Health Territory Health Fund  Transport Health TUH UniHealth Union Health  Westfund
Do you have a reference number?
Resume your calculation.
Healthslips logo Greenslips logo
Compare Every Insurer
No Commercial Bias
Cheapest Policy Guaranteed
Free Open Access
Compare Every Insurer
No Commercial Bias
Australian Health System
Guide

What are my rights as a patient in the Australian Health System?

Reviewed and updated 21 October 2024

When you are being treated in the Australian Health System, you have rights.

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed an Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights that outlines your rights as a patient.

The Charter applies to everyone, wherever they receive healthcare in Australia, including:

The Charter says you have the right to:

AccessAccess health services and treatment that meet your needs
SafetyReceive safe and high-quality healthcare that meets national standards

Be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes you feel safe
RespectBe treated as an individual and with dignity and respect

Have your culture, identify, beliefs and choices recognised and respected
PartnershipAsk questions and be involved in open and honest communication

Make decisions with your healthcare provider, to the extent that you can choose 

Include people you want in planning and decision-making
InformationGet clear information about your condition, including possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so you can give informed consent

Receive information about services, waiting times and costs

Get help when you need it, to understand and use health information

Access your health information

Be told if something has gone wrong during your healthcare, how it happened, how it may affect you and what is being done to make your care safe.
PrivacyHave your personal privacy respected

Have information about you and your health kept secure and confidential
Give FeedbackProvide feedback or make a complaint without affecting the way you are treated

Have your concerns addressed in a transparent and timely way

Share your experiences and participate to improve the quality of care and health services.

We promise

Read more
Compare Every
Insurer

Compare all Australian health insurers and every policy
No Commercial
Bias

Compare using independent and comprehensive information
Cheapest Policy
Guaranteed

Compare all Private Health Information Statements, cheapest to most expensive
Free Open
Access

Compare without entering your name, email or phone number

Related Content

advertisement
calculate your health insurance