Australian specialists charging 'extreme' fees, thinktank finds
Research shows psychiatrists and paediatricians among those most likely to charge patients fees far exceeding their peers.
At a glance
- More than 2.2 million Australians paid extreme specialist fees last year
- Psychiatrists and paediatricians identified as most likely to charge unreasonably high fees
- Some specialists charge up to triple the fees of their peers
- Government rebates and business costs do not justify the fee increases, according to the research
More than 2.2 million Australians paid what researchers describe as extreme fees to see specialists last year, according to a report by the Grattan Institute. Psychiatrists and paediatricians were identified as among the specialists most likely to routinely charge patients significantly higher fees.
The thinktank found that some doctors charge up to triple the fees of their peers. The research concluded that specialists cannot justify such charges by citing inadequate government rebates or business running costs, as these factors account for only a portion of the fee increases Australians have experienced.
Why it matters
The findings highlight affordability concerns in Australia's private healthcare system and suggest pricing practices among some specialists may be unrelated to legitimate operational expenses.
Original reporting
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
