Government responsibilities

Almost 70% of total health expenditure in Australia is funded by government, with the Australian Government contributing two-thirds of this and State, Territory and Local governments the other third.

Australian government

The Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, sets national health policies and subsidises the health services provided by State and Territory governments and the private sector. Their funding range includes universal medical services and pharmaceuticals, financial assistance for public hospitals, residential care facilities, hostels, home and community care, and support for training of health professionals and tertiary students. The Australian Government is also the major source of funding for health research.

The Australian Government’s regulatory roles include overseeing the safety and quality of pharmaceutical and therapeutic goods and appliances, managing international quarantine arrangements, ensuring an adequate and safe supply of blood products, and regulating the private health insurance industry. There is also an established role for governments in the regulation of food safety and product labelling.

State and Territory governments

State and Territory governments are responsible for delivery of the health services, including most acute and psychiatric hospital services. They also provide community and public health services for areas of healthcare including school, dental, child and maternal, occupational, disease control, and various health inspection functions. They are also responsible for the regulation of health professionals.

State and Territory governments regulatory roles include responsibility for licensing or registering private hospitals (including free-standing day hospital facilities), medical practitioners and other health professionals. Each state and territory has legislation relevant to the operation of public hospitals. They are also largely responsible for industry regulations, such as the sale and supply of alcohol and tobacco products.

Local government

Local governments are responsible for environmental control---garbage disposal, clean water, and health inspections, for example. They also provide a range of home care and personal preventive services, such as screening for breast cancer.

Non-government religious and charitable organisations play a significant role in health services, public health and health insurance.