Compare medical wait times in Australia state by state using the latest 2023–24 AIHW data. Discover the fastest state for elective surgery and emergency care, plus practical ways to avoid long delays.
Introduction
Australians added to public hospital waiting lists now exceed 800,000 every year. For many, a simple procedure means months of pain and uncertainty. Medical wait times in Australia vary dramatically depending on where you live. This guide uses the most recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data to reveal which state delivers the fastest healthcare and why some states lag far behind.
How Medical Wait Times Are Measured
The AIHW tracks two main areas: elective surgery waiting times and emergency department wait times.
Elective surgery is divided into three urgency categories:
– Category 1: Treat within 30 days (urgent)
– Category 2: Treat within 90 days (semi-urgent)
– Category 3: Treat within 365 days (non-urgent)
The key numbers are the median wait (half the patients waited less, half waited more) and the 90th percentile (the longest 10% of waits). Nationally in 2023–24, the median wait for elective surgery was 46 days and the 90th percentile reached 239 days. Emergency department performance is measured by how quickly patients are seen after triage.
State-by-State Comparison: Elective Surgery
Victoria is currently the fastest healthcare state in Australia for elective surgery.
– Victoria: median 33 days
– ACT: median 38 days
– Queensland: median 40 days
– Western Australia: median 42 days
– South Australia: median 50 days
– Tasmania: median 55 days
– Northern Territory: median 60 days
– New South Wales: median 65 days (longest in the country)
Victoria also leads in on-time performance. More than 82% of Category 2 patients received surgery within the recommended 90 days, compared with only 73% in NSW. Queensland has improved rapidly through dedicated surgical hubs, while NSW continues to struggle with population growth and bed shortages.
Emergency Department Performance Across States
Speed in the ED follows a similar pattern.
The ACT records the shortest median wait to be seen at 18 minutes, followed closely by Victoria at 20 minutes. Western Australia averages 22 minutes, Queensland 25 minutes, and South Australia 30 minutes. Tasmania, NSW, and the Northern Territory regularly exceed 35–45 minutes for non-urgent cases.
Long stays in emergency departments remain a problem nationwide, especially in NSW where the median length of stay now exceeds 3 hours 40 minutes in major hospitals.
Why the Differences ExistSeveral factors drive these gaps:
1. Workforce shortages – Australia faces growing doctor shortages and nurse staffing shortages, particularly in NSW, South Australia, and rural areas.
2. Population pressure – NSW and Victoria have the largest populations, but Victoria has invested more heavily in additional theatre sessions.
3. Regional vs metropolitan divides – patients outside capital cities often wait 20–50% longer.
4. Funding and infrastructure – states that opened dedicated elective surgery hubs (Queensland, Victoria) cut waiting lists fastest.
Private hospitals maintain much shorter waits (typically 20–30 days) because they are not bound by the same capacity limits as the public system.
How to Access Care Faster
– Choose Victoria or the ACT if relocation is an option — both consistently outperform other states.
– Take out private health insurance with hospital cover — eliminates most elective surgery delays.
– Use telehealth for initial specialist referrals — reduces outpatient clinic delays by up to 30%.
– See your GP early and request Category 1 or 2 urgency where clinically justified.
– Consider day hospitals or regional private facilities for common procedures such as cataracts or joint replacements.
Conclusion
Victoria stands out as Australia’s fastest state for both elective surgery and emergency care, followed by the ACT and Queensland. NSW currently has the longest public hospital waiting times. Understanding these state-by-state differences lets you make smarter decisions about insurance, location, and timing. Check the latest AIHW data for your area and explore private or telehealth options to secure faster treatment when you need it.
