We've had thrombolysis in Australian hospitals since 2003. It only works for ischaemic stroke and correct, it should only be given 4.5hrs after the start of the stroke as after this period, the risk of the thrombolysis causing haemorrhage becomes higher than the potential benefit of the thrombolysis agent's effect on the ischaemic stroke. There's strict guidelines on who receives thrombolysis and not all hospitals may have facilities/staff/training to implement it as therapy - however, this is not unique to Australia, and is the case in many western nations.
