Tasmania's Healthcare System: Hospitals, GPs, Bulk Billing Explained

Healthcare in Tasmania

Tasmania has a healthcare system that often struggles to match the resources of larger states, but Hobart and Launceston have solid public hospital facilities. Finding a GP in regional Tasmania can be more difficult than in Hobart or Launceston, and some specialist services require travel to the mainland.

Major Hospitals

Royal Hobart Hospital (Liverpool Street, Hobart CBD) is Tasmania's largest and most comprehensive public hospital, with emergency, surgery, oncology, maternity, and specialist services. It is the main referral centre for the whole state. Launceston General Hospital (Charles Street, Launceston) is the north's major public hospital. North West Regional Hospital (Burnie) and Mersey Community Hospital (Latrobe) serve the north-west coast. Calvary St John's Hospital (Hobart) and St Luke's Hospital (Launceston) are the main private facilities.

Finding a GP

Finding a GP in Hobart has become significantly harder as the population has grown faster than the healthcare workforce. New arrivals in Hobart should use HotDoc and Health Engine to find practices accepting new patients, and may need to register with multiple practices before finding one that is open. Regional and rural Tasmania faces more acute GP shortages.

Bulk Billing

Bulk billing rates in Tasmania are lower than the national average, and the state has some of Australia's highest out-of-pocket medical costs. The Tasmanian Government operates a number of community health centres that provide subsidised care. Concession cardholders should specifically ask about bulk billing when registering with a new GP.

After-Hours and Urgent Care

HealthDirect (1800 022 222) provides 24/7 nurse triage. After-hours GP services operate in Hobart and Launceston. The Royal Hobart Hospital ED is open 24 hours. The RFDS operates in Tasmania for remote area medical services.

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