How much does it cost to have a baby in Australia

If you're an expat in Australia or just thinking about moving Down Under from the UK and having a baby, you’re probably curious about the costs and your options. Australia offers a great healthcare system, but understanding the expenses related to pregnancy services can help you decide where to give birth.

So, how much does it cost to have a baby in Australia? In this guide, we’ll break down hospital fees, prenatal care and all the key expenses.

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Healthcare in Australia

Australia and the United Kingdom have a reciprocal healthcare agreement, which allows UK expats to get free urgent medical treatment. However, you might also be able to get limited access to Medicare, the Australian government program which helps with the cost of healthcare.¹

You can apply for Medicare if you’re one of the following:

• A New Zealand citizen
• A permanent resident in Australia or an Australian citizen
• In the process of applying for permanent residency
• On some types of temporary visas¹

Medicare covers doctor and midwife appointments, scans and blood tests, as well as vaccines for your child. If you’re not eligible, you’ll need to get private health insurance or the Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).¹

Overview of costs for having a baby in Australia

Here’s an overview of how much it costs to have a baby in Australia:

Keep in mind that these are only estimates and it’s best to consult healthcare providers directly for the most up-to-date information.

Cost of prenatal care in Australia

Prenatal care includes all doctor visits, ultrasound scans, tests and classes. Prices can vary depending on the doctor or hospital, but this is a general guideline.

Both initial visits and check-ups with the doctor cost between $30 and $100. They could also be free if they’re bulk billed. Private obstetrician or midwife appointments cost $100-$200, or $720-$1,920 for the entire duration of the pregnancy. If you’re using public healthcare, you won’t be able to choose your doctor.²

If you wish to get non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), you’ll need to pay out of pocket, since neither public or private insurance cover it. On average, it costs $400-$450, but private hospitals can set even higher rates.²

Ultrasounds are free under public insurance and partially covered by Medicare if you have private health insurance. Early on in the pregnancy, ultrasounds in private hospitals cost between $150 and $250 on average, while the prices rise to around $300 in the later months, medicare refund included.²

Birthing classes are another great investment, since they can prepare you for labour and the early days of being a parent. Their cost can vary greatly and reach up to $500 in some private facilities and if you don’t have the right insurance extras. However, it’s possible to get them free of charge in some public hospitals.²

You can get health insurance for pregnancy starting at around $200 a month. This will provide more comfort and the option to choose your doctor, but also reduce some out-of-pocket expenses.²

How much does it cost to have a baby in Australia through IVF?

The cost of IVF in Australia can vary depending on things like the clinic, the treatments you need and your personal situation. On average, a single cycle typically costs between $10,000 and $13,000 before any rebates or health insurance contributions.³

Medicare offers rebates for IVF treatments. If you're eligible for Medicare and have private health insurance, you can expect your out-of-pocket costs to drop to around $6,000 per cycle. However, it's common for people to need five or more IVF cycles to successfully have a baby, so the overall costs can add up.³

Cost of delivering a baby in Australia

If you're a public patient in a public hospital, there are no delivery costs. Whichever type of birth you choose, and even if you opt for an epidural, everything is covered at no charge.²

If you have private health insurance, the costs of natural birth can range from $380 to over $6,000. However, if you're a private patient without insurance, childbirth costs can be nearly $9,000. The price can also vary depending on the city you live in.²

The epidural costs around $1,000 without private insurance and close to $500 if you are covered. A C-section is more expensive than vaginal birth, costing between $450 and $7,600 with insurance, and over $10,000 without it.²

A homebirth is another possible option, but it most likely won’t be covered by Medicare. Out-of-pocket costs can reach up to $5,000.

Cost of postnatal care in Australia

After giving birth, you’ll need to stay in the hospital, see a paediatrician and schedule a check-up with a GP. If you’re in a public facility, you won’t pay anything, but you’ll probably be in a shared room.²

Those with private health insurance will be able to cover most expenses, including up to four nights in a private hospital room. You might also get different postnatal services, such as lactation consultations, acupuncture and mental health support. These services are typically capped at around $400, so you'll only pay for anything above that amount.²

If you don’t have private insurance and you want to receive postnatal care in a private hospital, this can get quite expensive. One night in a private room can cost around $1,000, while paediatrician fees can reach $400. A check-up appointment with a GP after giving birth will usually cost around $50.²

Costs to expect once your baby is home

As you may already know, the costs of pregnancy care and childbirth are only the start. You'll also need to budget for essentials like changing tables, baby carriers, cots, nappies and baby formula.

On average, baby furniture costs about $400 during the first year. Given how quickly they grow, you might spend around $650 on clothes and $250 on toys, with nappies totaling over $1,200 in the first twelve months.⁴

Wise – An international account for managing money in Australia

Now that you know which costs to expect when having a baby in Australia, you might need a smart way to manage your money between the UK and Australia. The Wise account could be a perfect fit.

With the Wise account, you can send, spend, hold and convert money in 40+ currencies, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates close to what you see on Google.

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**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 03-Apr-2025