As an intern, you are covered by your hospital’s insurance for clinical work done within your contract. But this cover does not protect you as an individual doctor.

Your own professional indemnity insurance safeguards you, your registration and your future career. Most providers offer free cover for interns, with premiums rising slowly in the early postgraduate years.
 

What hospital insurance does not cover

AHPRA or Medical Board notifications

If someone makes a notification about you, the hospital will not fund your legal advice, representation or support.

Coronial investigations

If a patient death is referred to the Coroner you may be asked for statements or to attend a hearing. Hospital cover protects the organisation, not you.

Performance, conduct or behaviour concerns

Complaints about your clinical judgment, documentation, communication or professionalism fall to you. You do not receive individual representation.

Medico-legal advice for everyday issues

Hospital insurance does not provide advice on matters such as consent, confidentiality, documentation, scope of practice or conflict with colleagues. Your indemnity provider does.

Good Samaritan acts

Helping someone outside work, such as at a roadside accident or on a plane, is not covered by hospital insurance.

Work outside your contract

Research, teaching, volunteering or outreach work may fall outside the scope of hospital cover.

Personal protection

Hospital insurance exists to protect the employer, not the individual doctor. It will not defend your registration, reputation or future employability.

Cost and Value

• Intern year: usually free
• PGY2 and beyond: small annual increases
• Costs rise slowly as your scope of practice and responsibility grow

AHPRA requires all registered doctors to have appropriate indemnity cover, including interns.