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Health

Being healthy means feeling physically and emotionally good. Looking after yourself, knowing your legal rights and where to go for help are steps in the right direction. The more information you have the better able you are to make decisions about what happens to your body.

Choosing a doctor

You have the right to choose your own doctor. In most cases your doctor must keep the things you talk about confidential (not tell anyone else), unless you say it is okay to tell other people, like your parents or guardian. Ask your doctor if they have a policy about this. If you don’t agree with the policy, choose another doctor.

There are some things your doctor must report, like some infectious illnesses, or when they think you have been abused or are at risk of harm.

Medicare

You need to think about how you will pay for your medical treatment. Some doctors bulk bill under the government health system called Medicare. This means you will not have to pay. In other cases you have to pay, but can get some of the money refunded.

You need to show a Medicare card when you go to the doctor. If you are under 15 you need to use whichever parent’s card your name is listed on. If you are over 15, you can apply for your own Medicare card. See the Medicare website (link below) for details.

If you are 14 or older, Medicare will not give information about your treatment to your parents. However, if you use your parent’s card they may find out that you have visited a doctor.

See ‘Health – frequently asked questions’ for more about refusing medical treatment, tattoos and piercings, contraception, pregnancy and abortion.

More information

Health – frequently asked questions

Alcohol, drugs & gambling

Child abuse or neglect

Complaints about health care (general information)

Relationships & sex

Related websites

Medicare (new window)

youthcentral – health and relationships (new window)

How we can help

Victoria Legal Aid doesn’t give legal advice about health care complaints, but our free Legal Information Service may be able to give you some information over the phone. We may also be able to refer you to another organisation that can help you. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter.

Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

The Health Services Commissioner (new window) (HSC) can investigate a complaint if:

  • you have not been treated well by your doctor, a hospital or any health service, like a dentist, physiotherapist or pharmacist
  • information about your health has not been treated confidentially or your privacy has not been respected
  • you have had difficulty getting your health information.