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AUSTRALIA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Updated: Mar 9, 2021

INTRODUCTION:

The Australian healthcare system is rated among the best healthcare system among the OECD nations. In Australia, the average life expectancy at birth is 82 years.

In the year 2011-12, Australia has spent 9.5% of GDP on healthcare


In Australia, the responsibility of providing the healthcare services was divided at three levels: federal, state and local.


Also read: Canadian Healthcare System





Responsibility of the federal government:

  • Providing funds

  • Indirect support to states and health professionals

  • Subsidising health-care services by Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS)

  • Giving funds to states


  • Responsibility of state government:

  • Maintaining the public hospitals, ambulance services, dental care, mental and community health-care services

  • It has to arrange funds in addition to funds provided by Central government


Responsibility of local government:

  • Local governments are responsible for delivering the health-care and preventive services including immunization


Also read: Italian Healthcare System


FUNDING:

Medicare, a universal health insurance provides free or subsidized health-care services in Australia. Medicare funded by federal government. Medicare is funded by taxes.

Private health insurance:Australian government encourages to have private insurance. Private health insurance helps to provide better access to non-emergency services, rebates on selected providers. Nearly half of the Australian population has private health insurance.


COVERAGE:

All Australian citizens, including patients having permanent VISA, New Zealand citizens enrolled in the program are covered by Medicare.


Also read: German Healthcare System