On account of the exorbitant cost and long wait times for treatments within Australia, national media has been reporting on the trend of Australians traveling overseas for a wide range of procedures.
What are the benefits of going overseas for treatment, and where should one go to get treatment? Read on to find out why Thailand may be the ideal answer for Australians exploring overseas options.
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Thailand & Australia – A Match Made in Heaven.
Why is Thailand such a popular medical destination for Australians?
The Quick Answer? Big Savings, Internationally Accredited Modern Hospitals, Proximity/Location & Aussie Friendly Support.
A cost comparison between Australia & Thailand points to 40%-70% savings for private treatments (range varies based on procedure). Understandably this can trigger some skepticism about the quality of treatment, but in this case cheaper certainly does not mean inferior. With direct flights from Australia’s biggest cities, Thailand is not only accessible, but quite affordable to travel to.
Thailand boasts the most JCI accredited hospitals in the ASEAN region with over 65 hospitals attaining this accreditation, over 5 times as many as Singapore for comparison. The Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation is widely considered the topmost international benchmark for hospitals. These hospitals employ faculty with a very high standard of qualification, many of whom are educated and trained abroad and hold their own certifications with the top medical organizations for their respective fields. Likewise, the facilities have high tech medical equipment and fantastic support staff/nurses.
The quality of care one receives at these facilities is also exceptional, as Thai hospitality practices have found their way into the medical field to ensure patients are treated with the utmost care. As one of the world’s top 3 medical tourism destinations in terms of volume of travelers, hospitals are accustomed to catering to patients from overseas, and top hospitals have dedicated English-speaking international patient centers to ensure visitors get the support they need.
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Skeptical of coming to Thailand for medical treatment?
Understandable, ensure you safeguard yourself. Before traveling abroad it’s worthwhile for Australians to check the travel advisories, as Thailand does occasionally deal with political unrest and other causes for concern.
Thailand may from time to time be flagged as yellow by Smart Traveller due to these factors, although unrest is primarily concentrated in the Deep South, while Bangkok & other tourist zones remain low risk for medical travelers. Nevertheless it’s advisable that when visiting Thailand one should ensure they have travel insurance in place (helpful to add on coverage for elective surgery!), and also register your trip with DFAT & keep the 24h consular number handy (+61 2 6261 3305).
As far as medical tourism is concerned, the range in pricing for procedures is extremely broad, but exercise caution from looking for the cheapest options possible. Employing a service like Health Tours Thailand can help you sift through the plethora of options to find you fantastic practitioners while also getting you tremendous value. Ensuring you are being treated at accredited facilities by accomplished doctors is strongly advisable if you decide to go overseas for treatment.
Similarly in terms of accommodation, finding the right place to stay is essential, so don’t fall for the trap of choosing the cheapest option. Rated Travel & Leisure’s Destination of the Year 2025, Thailand gives visitors a broad range of fantastic hotels to choose from at far better value when compared to the Western world.
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Amazing Thailand – One of the World’s Top Tourist Destinations for a Reason
Culture? Check.
Spa life, relaxation & pampering? Get your zen on.
Beautiful Beaches? Undoubtedly.
Golf Courses? Play a different 18 every day of the week.
Nightlife & Entertainment? Oh Yeah!
Shopping? Amazing options whether living that Gucci life or digging through the bargain bins!
No matter how you like to travel, Thailand has something for everyone.
Looking for a more luxurious type of holiday? Fret not, Thailand has got you! Home to world class spas, a broad variety of theatrical & cultural shows, and amazing hotels like the Capella Bangkok – the World’s #1 hotel according to various publications, feel free to ball out and live your best life! Shop at one of the many designer luxury malls, and dine at any of the fantastic Michelin Star restaurants – just ensure you book in advance!
If you’re curious to know more about fun & affordable shopping in Thailand, check out our blog to learn more before you arrive for your visit!
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What Kind of Treatments Are Worth Traveling For?
Practically any healthcare service available is available in Thailand at a reputed center at a substantial discount to what it costs back home in Australia.
Many Australians visit Thailand for Hair Transplants, Dental Implants, Porcelain Veneers, but it’s not just elective procedures that Thailand offers. Patients travel from all over the world for all kinds of complex surgeries, cancer treatment, heart surgery, bone & joint surgeries, physiotherapy programs, IVF with gender selection, comprehensive health checkups, stems cells & more.
Curious about other treatment options? Why not explore what Thailand has to offer? Just drop us a message and we are happy to arrange a zero cost consultation to understand your needs and let you know what options are available and how much you can save for your treatment!
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Real Life Case
Curious to read about an actual experience of an Aussie who took the plunge?
Look no further than a 35-year-old Sydney-sider, who earlier this year got an exorbitant quote for dental work and decided to explore alternatives.
How was her experience?
An unbelievable two week work-holiday pact full of unforgettable experiences.
The first pain-free dental experience of her life at a highly reviewed clinic observing all the same Western standards.
When all additional travel and leisure costs considered her trip was not only cheaper but far more enjoyable, so much so she has vowed never to do dental work in Australia again.
Read about her experience in her own words. –
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/thailand-dental-tourism-guide/news-story/493fcd3fd349adef48e202c84723d0c8?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Intrigued? Well here’s the kicker – You might even be able to finance your entire trip from your Super!
Thanks to the recent partnership between Health Tours Thailand & Release My Super, coming to Thailand for healthcare has never been as affordable and accessible.
Release My Super specializes in helping Australians access their Super on compassionate grounds for a variety of use cases. With their experience dealing with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) they are able to manage one’s case from end to end, and boast a 100% track record in obtaining funding for their clients.
If cash flow has been holding you back from getting treatment, look no further, this may be the exact option you have been looking for!
What’s more, the combined offerings of Release My Super & Health Tours Thailand bring you an incredibly unique opportunity – to travel, get fantastic treatment, and save money at the same time! The tie‑up lets Aussies fund everything from dental surgeries and plastic surgery to major surgery and addiction rehab in Thailand without new debt. Check with us today to see if the treatment you have in mind would be eligible for this coverage.
Not only are treatment costs covered, you can actually unlock funding for your entire trip, flights & accommodation included!
If you’re interested in reading more, check out our blog article that digs a bit deeper.
If you’re interested in finding out what Thailand can offer you, contact us today at zero cost, and see for yourself why Aussies & Australian media have been talking about Thailand as an ideal medical tourism destination.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| 1. How much can I really save on surgery or dental work in Thailand after flights and hotels? | Even when you add ~AU $1 800–2 000 for return flights and 8–10 nights in a 4‑star hotel, most Australians still save 40–60 % compared with private treatment at home. Example: a single dental implant package in Bangkok averages AU $3 200 (all‑in) vs. AU $6 000 + in Sydney. Larger procedures (e.g., FUE hair transplant, breast augmentation) often deliver up to AU $9–12 k net savings and include extras like airport transfers, after‑care meds and a bilingual patient liaison. |
| 2. Is medical tourism to Thailand safe according to Smartraveller? | The Australian Government advises travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” and follow due‑diligence steps: pick a JCI‑accredited hospital, verify your surgeon’s credentials, buy specialist travel insurance that covers elective surgery, and register your trip with DFAT. |
| 3. Can I use my superannuation to pay for overseas medical treatment? | Yes—through the ATO’s Compassionate Release of Super provisions. You’ll need two medical reports (one from a specialist) showing the treatment is necessary and unavailable through the public system. Our partner Release My Super handles the paperwork and typically secures funds within 14–28 days. Eligible expenses can include the procedure, flights, accommodation and medically required escorts. |
| 4. Will Medicare or private health insurance cover complications when I’m back in Australia? | Medicare covers medically necessary emergency care, but not revisions for elective cosmetic procedures done overseas. Some Australian private insurers offer limited “follow‑up” cover; others exclude medical tourism entirely. We strongly recommend buying a specialist travel‑medical policy that includes post‑operative complications and medical evacuation for at least AU $100 k. |
| 5. Do Thai doctors and nurses speak English? | At the international‑patient wings of our partner hospitals, all surgeons and nursing staff speak fluent English (many trained or fellow‑shipped in Australia, the US or the UK). If you need another language—Mandarin, Arabic, German—professional interpreters are on‑site or on‑call. |
| 6. How long do I need to stay in Thailand after my procedure? | It varies by treatment: FUE hair transplant — 7–10 days, breast augmentation — 10–12 days, single dental implant — 10–14 days, gastric sleeve surgery — 14–16 days. Your surgeon must clear you for flying; rushing recovery can jeopardise results and insurance cover. |