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