Australia's health system is complex. It can perhaps be best described as a 'web': a web of services, providers, recipients and organisational structures.
This chapter looks at the many components of the Australian health system, how they are organised and funded, and how they are delivered to, and used by, Australians.
While for many Australians most of their contact with the health system involves a visit to a GP or pharmacist, these services are part of a much broader and complex network.
Complexity is unavoidable in providing a multi-faceted and inclusive approach to meeting the health system needs of Australia's many and varied residents, when those needs are shaped by many and varied factors, including gender, age, health history and behaviours, location, and socioeconomic and cultural background.
Behind the scenes of the health system is a network of governance and support mechanisms that enable the policy, legislation, coordination, regulation and funding aspects of delivering quality services. Governance, coordination and regulation of Australia's health services is a big job, and is the joint responsibility of all levels of government, with the planning and delivery of services being shared between government and non-government sectors.
As one might expect, a system of this scale and complexity costs. In 2011-12, health spending in Australia was estimated to be $140.2 billion, or 9.5% of GDP. The amount was around 1.7 times as high as in 2001-02, with health expenditure growing faster than population growth.
This growth can be attributed in part to societal changes such as population ageing, and to increased prevalence of chronic conditions, diseases and risk factors. Personal incomes, broader economic trends and new technologies also affect spending on health. In summary, our health does not exist separate to the rest of our society. Rather, the two are intertwined, and our nation's spending on health services reflects this.
Our health as a nation depends on our health as individuals-and vice versa. A 'healthy' health system, therefore, is fundamental to our national - and personal - wellbeing and prosperity.