Australia
Healthcare & Medical Systems
Australia’s health system is one of the best in the world. It provides quality, safe and affordable health care for you and your family. It’s a key reason why we enjoy one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
Australia’s solid foundations and an effective COVID-19 response position us as a preferential location for productive foreign direct investment.
Our proactive response to the global economic downturn has protected the Australian economy. Australia’s ability to adapt is our great strength, and it helps us meet current challenges.
Medicare and the public hospital system provide free or low-cost access for all Australians to most of these health care services. Private health insurance gives you choice outside the public system. For private health care both in and out of hospital, you contribute towards the cost of your health care.
Medicare is the foundation of Australian Health system and also been Australia’s universal health care scheme since 1984. It has 3 major parts: medical services, public hospitals, medicines
Primary health networks (PHNs) are organisations that coordinate health services in local areas. There are 31 PHNs across Australia.
New technologies also have an impact on health and medical services — from digital health technologies to automated health and diagnostic services. These technologies help to improve the health system, but they can affect patients and the health workforce.
To meet some of these challenges, the Australian Government is investing in medical research and technological innovation through the Medical Research Future Fund. This will see more innovations developed, tested and made available for Australians in all areas of health care.