Can I get a loan for surgery?
Yes. Most lenders on our panel will consider medical loans for surgery and treatment, usually as an unsecured personal loan with set repayments. What they assess is you — your income, expenses and credit history — not the procedure itself.
People tend to reach for surgery finance when timing matters — a knee that’s stopped you kicking the footy with the kids, or new hearing aids for a parent who’s missing half the chat at Sunday lunch.
Here’s where a medical loan tends to earn its keep:
- Choose your timing. Plan a date around work and family instead of waiting on a public list.
- Cover the gap. Surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital gaps add up, even with Medicare and private cover.
- Pick your specialist. Private treatment lets you choose who treats you and where.
- Keep savings intact. Your emergency fund stays put for time off while you recover.
Our job is the finance, not the medicine. Your doctor guides the treatment; we find a loan that fits around it.
What medical procedures can I finance?
Most planned treatment with a written quote from a registered provider can be financed. Here’s what to ask for so the loan covers the whole bill, not just the headline fee.
| Treatment | Costs to ask about | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Joint surgery (knee, hip, shoulder) | Surgeon, assistant, anaesthetist, hospital stay, prosthesis | Ask your fund what it pays first |
| Eye surgery (LASIK, cataracts) | Assessment, each eye, follow-up visits | Laser vision correction generally isn’t covered by Medicare |
| Hearing aids | Hearing test, devices, fitting, servicing | Check for any government hearing support first |
| Private hospital admission | Policy excess, doctor gaps, extra nights | Your fund can confirm your excess upfront |
| Specialist care and scans | Consults, imaging, pathology | Useful when bills cluster |
How fast can I get a medical loan?
Often within days. Once a loan is approved, many lenders can settle quickly — sometimes within 24 hours, depending on the lender — so have your quote and documents ready.
- 1
Get your written quote
Ask for an itemised estimate, including anaesthetist and hospital fees and expected rebates.
- 2
Tell us the amount
The form takes about 2 minutes. We don’t need your medical history.
- 3
We search 60+ lenders
We match you with lenders whose criteria fit and explain the options plainly.
- 4
You choose, then apply
A lender only runs a credit check once you apply, and we’ll tell you first.
- 5
Funds settle, you book in
Depending on the lender, money goes to your account or straight to the provider.
Medical loans vs clinic payment plans: which suits you?
It depends on the size of the bill and how many providers are involved. A clinic plan can suit a single, modest bill, while a medical loan works across every provider at once.
| Feature | Medical loan | Clinic payment plan |
|---|---|---|
| Who you repay | A licensed lender | The clinic or its payment partner |
| What it can cover | Surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, scans — any provider | Usually that clinic’s fees only |
| Repayment period | Set upfront, often over a few years | Varies, and some plans are short |
| Availability | Assessed on your finances | Only if the clinic offers one |
Either way, check the fine print for fees and missed-payment terms. We’re happy to weigh up a clinic’s offer alongside ours.
Can I finance surgery with bad credit?
Often, yes — medical finance with bad credit is possible, though you may have fewer lenders to choose from. We look at your whole situation and never promise an approval we can’t deliver.
What helps a lender say yes:
- Steady income, even if it’s casual or from your own business
- An honest explanation of any past defaults
- Closing credit cards you no longer use
- Borrowing only what your quote requires
Our bad credit loans page goes deeper, and our guide to credit scores and loan applications explains what lenders actually see.
What you’ll need
- Itemised quote from your surgeon, hospital or clinic
- Driver licence, passport or other photo ID
- Recent payslips, or tax returns if self-employed
- A rough monthly budget
- Details of current loans and cards
- Your preferred surgery or admission date
Who it usually suits
- Aged 18 or over
- Australian citizen or permanent resident (some lenders consider visa holders)
- Verifiable income — full-time, part-time, casual or self-employed
- Repayments that sit comfortably alongside other commitments
- A credit history lenders can work with, including some imperfect records
