Public Hospital Waiting Times vs Private: Australia
How long will you wait for elective surgery in the public system — and what would it cost to go private? Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Public vs private: median wait and cost
| Procedure | Public wait (median) | Private wait | Private cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery | 90 days | 2–4 weeks | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Knee replacement | 209 days | 2–6 weeks | $20,000–$35,000 |
| Hip replacement | 152 days | 2–6 weeks | $18,000–$30,000 |
| IVF cycle | 42 days | 2–4 weeks | $7,000–$15,000 |
| Hernia repair | 78 days | 1–3 weeks | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | 120 days | 1–3 weeks | $3,000–$6,000 |
Waiting times by state
Cataract surgery
National median: 90 days. Private alternative: 2–4 weeks at $3,000–$5,000.
Knee replacement
National median: 209 days. Private alternative: 2–6 weeks at $20,000–$35,000.
Hip replacement
National median: 152 days. Private alternative: 2–6 weeks at $18,000–$30,000.
IVF cycle
National median: 42 days. Private alternative: 2–4 weeks at $7,000–$15,000.
Hernia repair
National median: 78 days. Private alternative: 1–3 weeks at $4,000–$8,000.
Tonsillectomy
National median: 120 days. Private alternative: 1–3 weeks at $3,000–$6,000.
Related
Waiting time data from AIHW MyHospitals (2024-25). Median days waiting for elective surgery on the public hospital waiting list. Private costs are estimates from published provider pricing. Actual costs depend on surgeon fees, hospital, anaesthetist, and private health insurance cover.