How well do you know Australia's health expenditure?

Health Expenditure in Australia: Key Facts

• The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare publishes a biennial report on health expenditure in Australia.
• In 2020-2021, Australia spent an estimated $220.9 billion on health care, an increase of 3.1% from the previous period.
• This spending accounted for 10.7% of overall economic activity in Australia.
• More than two-thirds (approximately 70.6%) of health spending was by governments.
• The Australian Federal Government spent $94.4 billion on health, while state and territory governments spent $61.6 billion.
• Non-government entities spent $64.9 billion on health in 2020-21, with individuals contributing the most at $33.2 billion.
• Providers of private health insurance financed $18.0 billion of total health spending for the same period.
• Government health spending represented 26.8% of government tax revenue.
• Medicare is the main source of government spending in Australia's health system.
• The Australian Government also subsidizes private health insurance premiums by up to 32.8%.
• Commonwealth-state relations over health budgets are often difficult and feature strongly during election campaigns.
• The Department of Health's Budgets typically propose to fund a range of initiatives across the health system, including guaranteeing Medicare, providing a stronger rural health strategy, prioritizing mental health, and supporting hospitals.