Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

Everyone in Australia who is seeking or receiving health care has certain rights under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

The Charter describes what consumers, or carers, are entitled to when receiving health care.

These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. This includes public and private hospitals, day procedure services, general practice, allied health services (e.g. physiotherapist, dietitian, podiatrist) and other community health services.

You have the right to:

1. Access – access to healthcare services that meet your needs
2. Safety – receive safe and high-quality care
3. Respect – be treated with dignity and respect
4. Partnership – be included in decisions and choices about your care
5. Information – be informed about services, treatment options and costs in a clear and open way
6. Privacy – have your privacy respected and the information you provide kept confidential
7. Feedback – comment on care and have your concerns addressed.

You can find a copy of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights here.

You can find more detailed information on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website.

If you think your health care rights have not been met, you might want to think about making a formal complaint.  You can find out more about making a health care complaint on our I’m not happy with the health care I received page.