Injury cover

Medicare does not cover ambulance. That can be significant. If a helicopter is involved in the retrieval, think of a number with three zeros on the end. Nor does it cover physiotherapy.

The rest is covered by Medicare. However, there is a queue and you do not get to choose your own doctor. So if you have a dislocated shoulder and a bony Bankart lesion such that it keeps threatening to drop out (as mine did) then being on a queue while your shoulder muscles waste away from unrepaired nerve damage and non-use is, shall we say, less than ideal.

It still cost me a few $k after claiming back with private cover (ours is basic hospital), but better that than the result I would have had from being a cheapskate and being forced to wait: permanent disability.

Suggest strongly you also take out Public Liability cover in case you hit someone while on your bike and it's your fault. This is available through Bicycle SA membership for less than $100 per annum for $20mil and covers you nationwide. (BNSW offers similar but is on a path to implosion - I don't recommend them.) Better to have an insurance company between you and a claimant, especially when a loss can cost you your house.

Oh how I miss NZ and ACC. Fractured vetebrae on a DH track, got an Ambo then heli ride and 2 months off work and I was never a cent out of pocket (apart from the bike repairs). And all that with no private health cover. Just don't crash badly and you'll have nothing to worry about

why not become an MTBA member, from what I remember they have similar coverage as Bicycle NSW and then your also covered for any MTB event that requires a day license.

I haven't read the fine print but have been told that with MTBA you need to do atleast 2 races a year. Then every other ride can be classed as training and you are covered. I'm not a member myself. I was a MBF member which is now under BUPA. Not sure on my coverage but I did only have Ambulance cover. No hospital.

In relation to your comments, I actually am an avid mountain biker, snowboarder and surfer. I have had my fair share of serious accidents leading to hospitalisation and in one case 3 months off work. I also work within the financial planning industry and promote with passion the need for personal insurances such as income protection because I have tested the health system personally and found many gaps.
Whilst health cover books you a nice bed in a hospital of your choice, at the end of the day you will be out of pocket if there is surgery. If you are in the unfortunate situation where you are unable to return to work doing your occupation there is no government hand out or subsidies that will replace your income. And for the record this is not an insurance plug…just facts.
A quick tip; depending on the type of mountain biking you do i.e. cross country, all mountain, freeride or DH you should always check policy documents of any income protection policy you may hold. Believe it not there are some insurers that will cover you for all types of mountain biking (yes even DH) no matter where you ride. The only caveat is a race as this is where your MTBA covers you and the insurers stop. But at least the big insurers cover you every other time just not race day.
I personally wouldn’t worry too much about public liability as you have a greater chance running into a tree or rubbing your face on rock….it’s the what if and where will you be if something real serious happens to you.