With first DD I went private patient, public hospital. Found private care to be the biggest rip off ever. Unless there's a medical need, I would not recommend. This time Im doing the whole thing public with the team midwives, and it's so much better. Everything I've had, down to ultrasounds as well, have been free. I paid for one ultrasound but got half back on medicare, and since then had two more ultrasounds free. This is because I was with the midwives from the second one and they referred me to free places.
So it's cost us nothing. We have paid for antenatal classes, which obviously are not compulsory, but HEAPS of fun. Also I just chose the hospital closest to me, which happens to have the best neo natal care in Sydney, so that is reassuring.
I highly recommend team midwives if you can find a hospital that has them. You are looked after by 6 or 7 midwives throughout pregnancy, and one or two of them will be the ones at your birth, so you know them by then!
xoox