People who have moved to Chester Hill, New South Wales, after fleeing the conflict in Israel and Gaza can now access free care at NSW public hospitals. This directive from NSW Health is a temporary arrangement that allows anyone who arrived in Australia on or after 17 October 2023 to receive fee‑waived hospital treatment even if they do not have a Medicare card.
The South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWS PHN) is sharing this update with local doctors to make sure new arrivals are not charged for emergency and essential hospital services. Eligible patients can access emergency department care, ambulatory and outpatient clinics, maternity services, public mental health services, NSW Ambulance transport and NSW Health Pathology services by presenting documentation (visa, passport or travel documents) to hospital staff.
For Chester Hill residents, these fee‑waived public hospital services are available at nearby facilities including Bankstown‑Lidcombe Hospital, Auburn Hospital and Liverpool Hospital. The arrangement is intended to help people who arrived on visitor or tourist visas (such as Subclass 600), who generally do not have Medicare and would otherwise face full fees for hospital care.
The NSW Refugee Health Service in Liverpool can help new arrivals with health assessments and navigating the local health system. Specialist trauma and torture‑and‑trauma rehabilitation services are being coordinated through local networks and specialist providers such as STARTTS; the Refugee Council of Australia is providing resources, information and advocacy for people fleeing the conflict.
To assist communication, SWSLHD Health Language Services provides 24‑hour professional interpreting for public health appointments (phone: 02 8738 6088). The national Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is also available on 131 450.
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