About Medical tourism in Australia
Medical tourism is defined as the process of patients travelling abroad for medical care and procedures.
The medical tourism industry in Australia is comparatively smaller to the highly competitive global industry, and represents just 0.001 per cent of global medical tourists.
Medical tourism in Australia: a scoping study
In 2011 the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to conduct a study on Australia’s viability as a medical tourism destination.
The report, Medical tourism in Australia: a scoping study (see Related documents) found that the medical tourism industry in Australia faces a number of challenges as the supply of medical tourism in Australia is both scarce and fragmented.
The report determined that the industry could benefit from more coordinated and networked medical tourism providers within the supply chain—for example, an industry association and on-the-ground networks in outside countries.
However, despite the challenges facing medical tourism in Australia, the report was unable to identify any market failures that would justify regulatory reform or significant government investment.
The Australian medical tourism industry is encouraged to examine the findings of the scoping study and access opportunities for strategic collaboration within the industry.
Please note that this report is an independent report and does not represent government policy.
More information
For more information about medical tourism in Australia, contact Tourism Division on 6243 7113
Please note that existing Australian Government programs—such as AusTrade’s Export Market Development Grants scheme—may provide assistance to organisations looking to market their medical services overseas. For more information about this grants program visit the AusTrade website.
Related documents