Health - Australia's Health Care System
Australia’s Health Care System
Australians are served by one of the highest quality health care systems in the world. The system is complex, with many types and providers of services and a range of funding and regulatory mechanisms. Funding for health care provision is primarily provided by the Australian (Federal) Government, State and Territory governments.
At the Federal level the Department of Health and Ageing oversees the health care of the nation. The Health and Ageing Department’s vision is better health and healthier ageing for all Australians through a world class system which:
- meets people’s needs throughout their life;
- is responsive, affordable and sustainable;
- provides accessible, high quality service including preventative, curative, rehabilitative maintenance and palliative care; and
- seeks to prevent disease and promote health.
Australian Government funding includes two major national subsidy schemes, Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). These schemes cover all Australians and subsidise their payments for medical services and for a high proportion of prescription medications.
Medicare
For twenty years, Medicare has been a central part of our world class health system that has guaranteed quality and affordable health care for all Australians. Medicare now delivers even more for Australian residents. The mainstays of Medicare remain. Australians continue to receive:
- free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital;
- the Medicare rebate, which pays 85% of the schedule fee for a visit to a doctor outside hospital;
- affordable medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The many new improvements to strengthen Medicare include:
- a new Safety Net to protect Australians against medical costs for various treatments;
- extra money to GPs who bulk bill;
- an increase of doctors in medical workforce and nurses in doctors’ surgeries;
- more convenient ways of claiming your Medicare rebate.
Visitors from countries with health care agreements are entitled to limited access to Medicare. The agreements are with the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Malta.
All visitors, students or temporary residents from countries covered by the health care agreements are encouraged to seek information on their Medicare eligibility at the Australian Embassy or visa issue agency. For more information, call 1800 011 163 or visit the web site www.health.gov.au
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) helps improve the health of all Australian residents by ensuring they have access to necessary and lifesaving medicines at an affordable price. Approximately 75 per cent of medicines available on prescription are subsidised under the PBS.
For all information on pharmaceutical benefits and safety net arrangements for those requiring a lot of PBS medicines, contact the PBS information line on freecall 1800 020 613.
Private Health Insurance
Many Australians belong to a private health insurance fund. Private health insurance complements the public system and offers consumers broader choice in health service options including: choice of doctor, hospital and timing of procedures.
Private health insurance can also provide cover for services not covered by Medicare, such as physiotherapy, dental, optometry and podiatry services.
30 per cent rebate
One initiative by the Federal Government to make private health insurance more affordable is the 30 per cent rebate on private health insurance premiums. The Rebate helps you and your family, and the many Australians with private health cover, to meet the cost.
All Australians who are eligible for Medicare, and who are members of registered health funds, are eligible for the Rebate.
You can claim the rebate through your registered health fund, Medicare offices, or in your tax return.
Lifetime Health Cover
Lifetime Health Cover is a Federal Government initiative that started on 1 July 2000. It’s designed to encourage people to take out private health insurance earlier in life, and to maintain their cover.
Under Lifetime Health Cover, health funds are able to charge different premiums based on the age of each particular member when they first take out hospital cover with a registered health fund.
Lifetime Health Cover recognises the length of time that a person has had private health insurance and rewards that loyalty by offering lower premiums. People who take out hospital cover early in life will be charged lower premiums throughout their life, relative to people who take out cover later.
A list of all registered health benefits organisations in Australia and information on the range of tables and products offered is available from:
Private Health Insurance Administration Council
Suite 1, 31 Thesiger Circuit
Deakin ACT 2600
Phone: +612 6285 1644
Website: www.phiac.gov.au
