Overview of the Australian health system

Australia is a federation of 6 states and 2 territories governed by 3 tiers of government:

• Australian government (also referred to as Federal or Commonwealth government)
• State/Territory government
• local government.

The Australian health system comprises a mix of public and private service providers. Funding is provided by all levels of government, health insurers, non-government organisations and by individuals.

The Australian Government mainly contributes funding via 2 national health subsidy schemes:

• Medicare Benefits Scheme (known as Medicare) (external site) subsidises payments for services provided by doctors, optometrists, and some allied health professionals
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (external site) subsidises payments for a large proportion of prescription medicines bought from community pharmacies.

Additional services provided by the Australian Government include:

• social welfare arrangements
• regional and remote healthcare programs
• funding programs for chronic and complex conditions
• healthcare arrangements for Australian Defence Force personnel and their families through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (external site)
• support of clinical education and training through the National Medical Training Advisory Network (external site)

Resources

• Living and Working in Western Australia: an Orientation Manual for International Medical Graduates (PDF 1.7MB)
• An Orientation to the Australian health system and working in Western Australia (presentation) (PPT 9.9MB)

Related links

• Australian Government Department of Health (external site)
• DoctorConnect (external site)