Australia's Primary Health H1 profit rose 83 pct

MELBOURNE, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Australian medical centre operator Primary Health Care Ltd (PRY.AX) reported an 83 percent rise in first-half net profit on Monday, reflecting its A$2.7 billion takeover of medical testing group Symbion a year ago.

Net profit rose to A$37.4 million ($25 million) for the six months ended December, before large one-off costs, from A$20.4 million a year earlier. Analyst expectations had been for A$36.6 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

In November, the company forecast earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of A$350 million for fiscal 2009 in November. ($1=A$1.49)

(Reporting by Miranda Maxwell, Editing by Mark Bendeich)