🇨🇨 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Healthcare Guide
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have one small health centre on West Island, staffed by a doctor and nurses. There is no surgical or inpatient capacity; anything beyond minor cases is air-evacuated to Royal Perth Hospital under the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 000
- Healthcare system: limited
- Average GP visit: $60 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands Health Service operates a single small clinic on West Island, staffed by a GP and a small nursing team. Care covers primary care, basic emergency response, and routine maternity for the ~600 residents. There is no surgical or inpatient capacity beyond minor procedures.
Anything beyond minor cases — surgery, complex obstetrics, advanced cardiac, severe trauma — is air-evacuated to Royal Perth Hospital under the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). The flight from Cocos to Perth is about 4 hours; the RFDS arrangement is well-established and free for residents but very expensive without insurance.
Australian Medicare applies for residents and reciprocal-arrangement visitors (UK, NZ, and several EU countries — see the Norfolk Island entry for the full list). Other visitors should carry travel insurance with Indian Ocean medevac coverage. Specialty medications must be brought from the mainland — local stocks are limited.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Routine vaccines up to date
- Tetanus booster
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Australian prescribing rules apply. Australian prescriptions are recognised under the PBS; other prescriptions usually need local re-issue. The on-island pharmacy stocks routine medications only; specialty drugs must be flown in.
Controlled substances follow Australian regulation. Opioids, ADHD stimulants, and benzodiazepines require declaration on entry with original packaging.