Your Stay

No, you don’t need to have private health insurance to give birth in a private maternity hospital. Many mothers choose to be self-funded and pay the full out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re planning to be self-funded, your estimated hospital expenses must be paid on admission. Any additional costs incurred during your stay are payable on discharge.
 

In Australia, our public hospitals offer a safe and affordable option for pregnancy care and birth. If you choose a public hospital, midwives will look after you during pregnancy and birth. Doctors are on hand to help with any complications.

You may be lucky and get to stay in a private room but many rooms are shared. You’ll normally stay 1 or 2 days.

If you have a Medicare card, most of the costs will be covered.

In a private hospital you’ll have your choice of obstetrician for your pregnancy care and they will attend the birth, as long as they’re available.

Most private hospitals offer well-appointed private rooms with ensuites, room service and other services at no extra cost.

If you are a member of a health fund, it is important to check the following prior to your hospital admission:
1. Your health fund will cover the cost of your obstetric admission and accommodation.
2. How long you have been with your fund? If you have been a member of your health fund for less than 12 months, your fund may not accept liability for the costs of admission.
3. Pharmacy, pathology, imaging and x-rays may attract additional charges. Check if your fund covers any of these.
4. Medical and allied health practitioner fees may be billed separately by the practitioners. These are not included in the estimate from the hospital.