NSW Health and Ambulance Service of NSW will coordinate the provision of all necessary pre-hospital, hospital and public health arrangements for all participants during WYD08, while maintaining core health services to the community of NSW.

Emergency medical services will be available at major venues during WYD08 events. More information on this topic will be posted on this site in coming months.  

In non-emergency situations, Pilgrims requiring medical assistance are encouraged to access local medical care. Information on the nearest doctor’s office will be available through accommodation sites. 

Registered Pilgrim insurance

All registered Pilgrims will receive health cover through WYD2008 for emergency medical treatment and repatriation to home country. It will cover the package period plus the three days immediately before and after the package period provided that the travel from/to the home country is direct to/from Sydney. International Pilgrims are strongly encouraged to also purchase comprehensive travel health insurance. 

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place with nine countries: New Zealand, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Pilgrims from these countries will be entitled to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia.
For more information, visit the Medicare Australia website: New Zealand and Ireland visitors, click here; For visitors from Italy, Malta, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, click here.  

Prescription medications

Pilgrims travelling with medication should clearly label all medication and bring a copy of the original prescription in English. International Pilgrims requiring a medication refill while in Australia may need to visit a doctor for a new prescription, so it is important to travel with a sufficient quantity of the medication.

More detailed health information is available from NSW Health.