Health facility licensing in South Australia

Under the Health Care Act 2008 (the Act), a licence is required to operate a Private Hospital or a Private Day Procedure Centre in South Australia. These licences are administered by the Clinical Regulation Branch within the Department for Health and Wellbeing, on behalf of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.

What is a Private Hospital?

A Private Hospital is a privately operated health service, whether run by an organisation, company, partnership, or other entity, that provides live-in health care and charges a fee for medical services.

What is a Private Day Procedure Centre?

A Private Day Procedure Centre is a privately operated facility that provides prescribed health services where patients are admitted, treated, and discharged on the same day. These centres do not offer overnight accommodation and must not be referred to as private hospitals.

Prescribed health services typically involve procedures requiring anaesthesia or sedation, such as:

  • Cardiac catheterisation
  • Endoscopy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Renal dialysis
  • Certain cosmetic surgeries

See the full list of Prescribed health services.

Licensing requirements

To operate a Private Hospital or Private Day Procedure Centre, applicants must:

  • Apply for a licence under the Health Care Act 2008
  • Comply with relevant legislation, policies, and governance frameworks
  • Meet operational standards and ongoing obligations