Perth General Information

Medical standards in Australia are among the best in the world.

Overseas visitors should take care to obtain their own medical travel insurance to ensure that they are covered in an emergency. Several Australian-based travel insurers have special cover for visitors which are generally much less expensive than travel cover sold in other countries.

Visitors from the UK, Italy, Malta, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand are entitled to subsidised medical care under reciprocal national health care agreements.

Major public hospitals in Perth include:

Royal Perth Hospital, 197 Wellington Street, East Perth 
Ph:+61 (0)8 9224 2244

Fremantle Hospital, Alma Street, Fremantle
Ph:+ 61 (0)8 9431 3333
Private hospitals and private clinics are also available.

Please note:

Visitors who require treatment for an existing medical condition should carry a letter from their doctor outlining the condition and relative medication requirements. This is especially important if the medication is uncommon or contains ingredients that may be restricted, such as narcotics. Most medicines are available in Australia but only to those with an official doctor's prescription. Prescription drugs may only be dispensed by a qualified pharmacist.

The national telephone number for all emergency services in Australia including Ambulance, Police, and Fire Brigade is "000".

Perth has two daily newspapers: the local newspaper, Perth Now, and the Perth-wide The West Australian. Another large newspaper, The Sunday Times, is published every Sunday.

Others such as the national The Australian, and popular metropolitan newspapers from Western Australia, are generally available at larger news outlets in the city.

Smoking is not permitted in Perth:

• in cars with children under 17 years present
• between the flags at patrolled beaches
• within 10 metres of children's playground equipment open to public
• in all outdoor eating areas
• at restaurants and in any licensed bar or club where drinks or food are consumed either indoors or outdoors
• in any enclosed public places

The Penalty for all offences under the regulations is a maximum fine of $2,000.