Working in WA
Working in WA | The Australian Health Care System | The WA Health Care System | Typical Terms of Employment | Working in Private Practice in WA | Medical Indemnity
The Australian Health Care System
The Australian health system provides a world-class service to Australians in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. The aim of the national health care funding system is to give all Australians access to health care at an affordable cost or at no cost, while still providing choice for individuals who wish to access private health care.
The state, territory and local governments are responsible for the delivery and management of public health services and for maintaining direct relationships with most health care providers, including regulation of health professionals and private hospitals.
The Australian Government provides direct financial support for the Medicare Program and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and provides a leadership role in the development of national health policy issues.
The Medicare Program, which includes the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme covers all Australians and subsidises their payments for private medical services and for a high proportion of prescription medicines. The public hospital services are jointly funded through the state and federal government and are provided free of charge to people who choose to be treated as public patients.
People make their contribution to the health care system through taxes and the Medicare levy based on their income, and through voluntary private financing such as private health insurance.
Health care in Australia faces similar challenges to health systems in other modern developed nations, however the funding and administration of the Australian system results in health care equal to the best in the world in terms of facilities, quality and professional standards of medical care.We welcome your feedback on this site and your comments on how it can be improved. Please use the feedback form to send your suggestions to us.