General Information

Medical standards in Australia are among the best in the world.

Overseas visitors should take care to obtain their own medical travel insurance to ensure that they are covered in an emergency. Several Australian-based travel insurers have special cover for visitors which are much less expensive than travel cover sold in other countries.

Visitors from the UK, Italy, Malta, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand are entitled to subsidised medical care under reciprocal national health care agreements.

The Major Public Hospital in the Byron Shire is the Byron District Hospital  Ph:+61 (0)2 6685 6200.

Private hospitals and 24-hour clinics are also available. 


Please note: Visitors who require treatment for an existing medical condition should carry a letter from their doctor outlining the condition and relative medication requirements. This is especially important if the medication is uncommon or contains ingredients that may be restricted, such as narcotics. Most medicines are available in Australia but only to those with an offical doctor's prescription. Prescription drugs are only dispensed by a qualified pharmacist.