Health services are required to set their own fees for patients who are not covered by Medicare, including overseas patients. Where possible, ineligible patients should be charged the full cost of their care.
When charging fees, hospitals should be aware that some overseas patients are entitled to financial assistance (for example because of Reciprocal Health Care Agreements).
Fees will vary between hospitals and may be determined on a Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) or per day basis. Fees raised on a DRG basis may be calculated using the national weighted activity unit (NWAU) price weight.
Note: This is a guideline only and fees charged to Medicare ineligible patients are to be determined by individual health services.
Given the potentially significant cost of care, Medicare ineligible patients are encouraged to obtain appropriate health insurance where possible.
Inpatient stay charge: fee per day
| Patient classification type | Estimated average costs for 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Same day: Medical ward | $894 |
| Same day: Surgical ward | $917 |
| Same day: Advanced Surgical ward | $1,585 |
| Overnight: Medical ward | $1,957 |
| Overnight: Surgical ward | $2,016 |
| Overnight: Advanced Surgical | $2,702 |
| Intensive Care Unit | $6,881 |
| Coronary Care Unit | $2,580 |
| Emergency department: non-admitted | $644 |
| Hospital in the home (HITH) | $456 |
Outpatient charge: fee per encounter
| Patient classification | Estimated average costs for 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Medical | $386 |
| Allied health | $223 |
More information
The inpatient stay charges are based on the 2023-24 Victorian Cost Data Collection. These charges reflect a composite of costs associated with inpatient care, including nursing, ward, non-clinical salaries, on-costs, and emergency department and critical care services where relevant. These charges also include an allowance for indexation and depreciation.
The outpatient charges are based on prior year's charges and are indexed using cost growth rates in line with the Victorian Efficient Price to estimate charges for 2026-27.
A number of costs are excluded. Health services should ensure that they also charge for the following items:
- Medical costs billed separately by the treating medical practitioner
- Diagnostics, which health services may charge at or above the Medicare Benefits Schedule
- Prostheses, in line with the Commonwealth’s schedule rate
- Drugs, which should be charged at cost
- Theatre fees. These are based on the TAC Schedule of Fees for Private Hospital Services (non-arrangement).
Updated