Chemotherapy in Australia can range from free (public system) to significant out-of-pocket costs in the private system, depending on PBS coverage, your insurance, and hospital/specialist fees, with many patients facing costs for oral drugs, tests, and non-covered treatments, though many private specialist fees can be largely covered by Medicare/insurance, resulting in $0 to minimal costs for some.
Is chemotherapy free in Australia? You can receive treatment for free as a patient in Australia's public hospital system, and the PBS heavily subsidises the costs of chemotherapy drugs.
Some studies put the average cost of chemotherapy at $1,000 to $12,000 per month.
The estimated price of chemotherapy cost per session, depending on the cancer type, starts at P20,000 up to over P120,000.
Your coverage for outpatient services comes from Part B. As with Part A, you'll need first to pay your deductible. The 2025 Part B deductible is $257. Medicare will pay 80% of your approved costs once you meet the deductible; you'll pay the remaining 20% coinsurance.
Part B (Medical Insurance) costs. $185 each month ($202.90 in 2026) (or higher depending on your income). The amount can change each year. You'll pay the premium each month, even if you don't get any Part B-covered services.
How much does chemotherapy cost? Chemotherapy drugs can be expensive. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) covers all or part of the cost of many chemotherapy drugs for people with a current Medicare card. You usually have to pay some of the cost of oral chemotherapy drugs you take at home.
contact the financial assistance department at the hospital or cancer center where you're receiving treatment to see if you can receive free or discounted medical services or set up an interest-free payment plan.
The length of time for chemotherapy regimens can range from 5 minutes to 8 or more hours. It all depends on the chemotherapy. Throughout the chemotherapy, your nurse will come in and check your vitals and make sure you aren't reacting to the medications.
You may still be very tired from the drugs given for nausea and vomiting, or you may not feel very good. Some people want to continue with their usual daily routine – you may find that this is possible if you have radiation therapy, at least at the start.
Key Takeaways
Some people may feel fine afterward, while others may feel very sick. It's good to remember that chemotherapy is a medical treatment that can be mentally and physically draining. So though you can drive yourself home, it may not always mean it's a good idea.
Many people can work during chemotherapy, as long as they match their work schedule to how they feel. Whether or not you can work may depend on what kind of job you have. If your job allows, you may want to see if you can work part time or from home on days you do not feel well.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Common and Costly Chemotherapy Drugs
Depending on the drug and type of cancer it treats, the average monthly cost of chemo drugs can range from $1,000 to $12,000. If a cancer patient requires four chemo sessions a year, it could cost them up to $48,000 total, which is beyond the average annual income.
Your length of stay in hospital will depend upon the type of tests, assessment, chemotherapy preparation and treatment you need. If you are a day patient, you are likely to be at the hospital between four and six hours, sometimes longer if the treatment is complex, or if you are taking part in a research study.
Additional foods that should be avoided during or immediately following some cancer treatments include:
If you're struggling to find the right words, here are 12 kind things to say to someone with cancer:
What is the 7-day rule in chemotherapy? Treatment days followed by rest days: Chemotherapy cycles may be planned in such a way that there will be 5 days of chemo with 2 days of rest, all within 7 days (roughly). Maintaining drug levels: The 7-day rule helps ensure that there is enough chemo in the body to fight cancer.
Public patients in public hospital do not pay for most drugs as the cost is covered by the PBS. Ask your treatment team if you have to contribute to the cost of your drugs (there may be a cost for some oral chemotherapy drugs).
Medicare covers chemotherapy if you have cancer.
Chemotherapy is unlikely to have much of an effect on Stage IV (metastatic) cancers, whereas it can add months or even years to a person's life if they have been diagnosed with Stage I – III cancer.
A patient advocate foundation or nonprofit organization – Some nonprofits and foundations provide financial assistance to people living with chronic illnesses and diseases like cancer. Examples include Family Reach, the PAN (Patient Access Network) Foundation, CancerCare, and the Patient Advocate Foundation.
A CT scan in Australia can range from free (bulk-billed) to several hundred dollars out-of-pocket, with typical private costs around $177-$300+, depending heavily on whether it's bulk-billed by Medicare (no cost) or requires a gap payment, with costs varying by location, clinic, and complexity. For private scans without insurance, expect $300 to $800 or more, but always check with the provider for an exact quote, as many bulk-bill or offer payment plans.
A full course of treatment can range from $4,500 to $50,000, which typically includes multiple sessions. Many insurance plans cover radiation therapy, but there are usually out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Part A will cover radiation therapy if you're admitted to the hospital, but you'll have to meet a deductible.