We have a small hospital and a General Practitioner clinic with three to four doctors, nurses and some allied health staff providing care, and dealing with all presenting emergencies and managing inpatients.
Medical Services
On Norfolk Island, Australian Medicare applies, which includes emergency medical evacuation transfers from the island to mainland Australia.
We recommend that you check with your private health insurer regarding your medical coverage while on Norfolk Island. However, we still recommend that travellers get travel insurance.
Norfolk Island's total population was 2,188 in January 2023. Data shows that Norfolk Island's population remained unchanged between 2022 and 2023. 51.6 percent of Norfolk Island's population is female, while 48.4 percent of the population is male.
In the 2021 Census the usual resident population of Norfolk Island was 2,188, an increase from 1,748 people in 2016.
Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
Since the mid-1960s the major economic activity of Norfolk Island has been tourism; many of the islanders are employed in the operation of hotels, duty-free stores, and other aspects of the industry. About 30,000 tourists (many of them from New Zealand) visit the island annually.
You can invest in a business or property or simply live on the island. It's an ocean of possibilities now for new investors, families, retirees and workers. There is no need to apply for any residency as it is regarded as moving simply from one part of Australia to another. Simple.
It should be noted, however, that the cost of living is higher on Norfolk Island, the tax burden for lower income earners is higher and, the standard of service provision is lower, than in other States and Territories.
Yes, similar to other Australian external territories, there is no limit on the amount of duty free goods you can buy on Norfolk Island. However, when returning to mainland Australia standard duty free concessions will apply.
The island is not part of the Australian mobile network, so you will need to purchsae a local SIM card to use your mobile phone.
Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted. You can bank at Commonwealth and Westpac branches at Burnt Pine. There's a Commonwealth Bank ATM, and some limited EFTPOS on the island.
There are no animal pests or diseases on Norfolk Island that are not also present in mainland Australia. Two species of mosquitoes were found on Norfolk that do not occur on the Australian mainland (see Appendix 2).
Yes you can purchase wine and beer at the Duty Free International airport shops, and carry onto the plane with you. Norfolk Island has a Liquor Bond store, however occasionally stocks may run low but this is usually only until the next cargo ship arrives.
Medical treatment on Norfolk Island is covered by Australian Medicare, emergency medical treatment will be covered by Medicare.
Australian notes and coins are the legal tender of the island; however New Zealand currency is accepted at a number of places. The two banks on the island (Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia) can convert currency for you. Major credit cards are also widely accepted. Norfolk's climate is subtropical.
The locations competing to be named the best in Norfolk are Norwich, Burnham Market, Wymondham, Diss, Aylsham, Holt, Wroxham, Surlingham, Great Massingham and King's Lynn. Burnham Market has previously been named one of the poshest villages in the country with Great Massingham and Norwich also gaining national praise.
Norfolk and Suffolk are among the best counties to retire to, according to Prudential. Norfolk and Suffolk have been named among the counties offering the best quality of life to retirees.
It is SAFE. You can walk the streets day or night in safety whether it be as a single woman or a child. Kids can walk to school by themselves or go to the shops by themselves in safety. The main industry is Tourism and there are approximately 1700 tourist beds on Norfolk.
Changes to Norfolk Island's immigration laws allow for Australian and most New Zealand citizens to live, work, retire or seek investment and business opportunities in Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island has 4G coverage however at times you may not be able to use the Internet. Most accommodation properties have a “HotSpot” on their premises. HotSpots work similarly to wifi enabling access when you're in wifi range.
Mr Buffett claims 47 per cent of the island are indigenous - by which he means descendants of the Pitcairn settlers. Both sides agree on the history. Norfolk has evidence of Polynesian occupation till about 600 years ago, but was then uninhabited till the British set up a convict prison in the 1780s.
Try delicious variations with bananas such as savoury fritters for fish or meat, banana dumplings (known in the local island language as mudda), or slow-baked banana phili served with 'Norfolk Island gravy' – fresh cream.
Farming on Norfolk Island today is mainly to cater for local residents and tourists. Farm produce includes vegetables, fruit, poultry, eggs, pork and cheese. There is a local winery, an artisan goats' cheese farm, locally grown coffee and a local charcuterie. Fish are caught for local consumption.
The primary industry on Norfolk is tourism and the government is independent of Australia in most respects except for policing, defence and education. Norfolk Island is a tax free haven of Australia.