Hi Erin,
Its all run(hospital cover and prescriptions) by tax we pay, everyone pays a tax to cover health. If you want extra cover, to go to a private hospital you can take out private insurance, or you can wait and go to a public hospital. Yes Iam very thankful to live in Australia, and know how lucky Iam to have free medical and low prescription costs. It doesn't however cover dental, it seems that teeth arn't part of the human body

You still have to fork out huge amounts of money to go to a dentist, or wait months/years to go to the dental hospital, which only costs a minimal amount.
Kate