Unfortunately, Kidney Health Australia is not able to make bookings on behalf of patients as you need to contact the units directly to establish whether they are providing this service. Our Dialysis Unit Guide can assist you to locate a unit, please refer to the information below.
If you’re visiting Australia, you may be eligible for medical services depending on where you’re from. It’s important to plan well in advanced.
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with the following 11 countries:
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- Sweden
- the Netherlands
- Finland
- Italy
- Belgium
- Malta
- Slovenia
- Norway
In general, the agreement covers:
- medically necessary care out of hospital
- medically necessary care as a public patient in a public hospital
- some prescription medicines, at the general rate.
Entitlements do not include:
- ongoing treatment
- elective treatment
- treatment in a private hospital.
Dialysis in Australia for foreigners
The cost for dialysis in Australia will depend on whether you are eligible for dialysis as a public health patient under a RHCA. You must call around to dialysis units and set up your care well in advanced to your travels, giving yourself at least 6 months to prepare.
If you are eligible, please be aware there are conditions and exemptions that differ from country to country. There are also some limitations. For example:
- treatment in public dialysis units is based on clinical need
- the number of sessions depend on how many resources a hospital has available
- dialysis services can only be given for a maximum of four weeks, or 12 sessions within 12 months, (whichever is less) from the date of first treatment
- attention given to overseas patients must not interfere with the physical, clinical and/or financial capacity needed for Australian residents
- publicly funded dialysis is limited to one RHCA patient at each site (subject to staffing and resources), meaning travellers may have difficulty finding capacity. Each state may impose its own limits on free treatments offered.
If you are not eligible under a RHCA, you will need to pay for dialysis at a private clinic unless you are covered by travel insurance that offers overseas dialysis in your policy.
There are different rules for obtaining health services coverage depending on which RHCA-approved country you are from. Some countries citizens may need to enrol with Medicare to receive coverage. For more information, please visit Reciprocal Health Care Agreements on the Services Australia website.
If you are a visitor from New Zealand, you may be eligible for dialysis on Kidney Health Australia’s Big Red Kidney Bus. This mobile dialysis unit provides treatment at several popular holiday spots across Australia. Read more about eligibility, locations, dates and how to book your spot on our Big Red Kidney Bus page.
If you’re still unsure, you’re welcome to email us at Kidney.Helpline@kidney.org.au or call our Helpline for more information: + 61 1800 454 363. Operating hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST; UTC+10:00).
Last updated: November 2025
