Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Melbourne?

"Healthcare and health insurance in Melbourne, can be considered relatively expensive, especially for those without government subsidies or private health insurance. The Australian healthcare system, known as Medicare, provides free or subsidized healthcare services to citizens and permanent residents. However, some services, such as dental care, physiotherapy, and optometry, are not covered by Medicare, which can lead to high out-of-pocket expenses. Private health insurance is available to supplement Medicare coverage, but the premiums can be costly, particularly for comprehensive plans. Additionally, the cost of private health insurance may increase with age and pre-existing medical conditions. Despite the expenses, many Australians choose to purchase private health insurance to access a wider range of healthcare services, shorter waiting times, and private hospital care. Overall, healthcare and health insurance in Melbourne can be expensive, but the costs are somewhat mitigated by the government-funded Medicare system and the availability of private health insurance options," explained one expat living in Melbourne, Australia.