Medical care in China from Australia

For planned surgery, public waits can be long. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that in 2024-25 the median wait in public hospitals was about 130 days for a total hip replacement and about 255 days for a total knee replacement. Around 23 percent of knee replacement patients waited more than a year.

Across all elective surgery in 2024-25, half of patients were admitted within 45 days, but 1 in 10 waited longer than 329 days, according to the Productivity Commission report published in February 2026.

Private treatment is usually faster, but it has a cost. Without private health insurance, a hip or knee replacement in a private hospital is often quoted at tens of thousands of dollars, and even insured patients can face an excess and a gap.

Some Australians look at China for a shorter wait, for a treatment that is hard to access at home, or for a written second opinion before they decide. China mainly adds speed or choice for selected patients. It does not replace good care at home, and for most people there is no medical reason to travel.

Direct flights run from several Australian cities to several major cities in China. From the eastern states a direct flight usually takes about 11 to 13 hours, and from Perth it is shorter, around 9 to 10 hours. Some people prefer one stop through a regional hub.

Long flights after surgery carry a higher risk of blood clots, and jet lag can be tiring before a procedure. We help plan timing, seating, wheelchair assistance and rest stops, and we work with your treating team on when it is safe to fly.

At the time of writing, in November 2026, China allows Australian passport holders to enter without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide confirmed on 4 November 2025 that this policy runs until the end of 2026. It covers business, tourism, visiting family, transit and exchanges.

Medical treatment is not listed among those purposes. A stay for treatment may therefore need a proper visa, such as an M visa, or an S2 visa if you accompany a family member who is the patient. The right visa depends on your case and the hospital's paperwork.

We confirm the correct visa before you book anything, and we help prepare the invitation and supporting documents. Never assume visa-free entry covers planned treatment. Rules can change, so we check the current position for every patient.

Medicare does not cover you overseas. Services Australia states plainly that if you are in another country and need medical care, Medicare will not cover you. Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries for some urgent public care, and China is not one of them.

Private health insurance in Australia is built for treatment in Australia and rarely pays for planned surgery abroad. Travel insurance almost always excludes treatment you have travelled overseas to receive, and may limit cover for problems that follow it. Read any policy carefully, and ask the insurer in writing before you rely on it.

This means most patients pay for treatment in China themselves. We set out the likely costs early and help you plan your budget.

Good care does not stop when you fly home. We encourage you to involve your GP or specialist in Australia from the start, so the plan fits your wider care.

We arrange translated reports, imaging and discharge summaries, and we help pass a clear handover to your Australian team. Aftercare, rehabilitation and follow-up are planned before you travel, not left to chance.