Focusing on the health needs of regional communities
The Government recognises the challenges for those Australians who live some distance from health services.
To address these challenges, the Government is funding the expansion of primary care practices and improved access to psychological services in regional Australia.
The Government is also establishing a dedicated unit within the Department of Health and Ageing to provide advice to the public on regional health and aged care matters.
The Government recognises the unique health needs of Australia's regions and the challenges posed by distance from health services.
- The Government will provide $205.9 million over five years to expand the Access to Allied Psychological Services Program which will help to enhance access to services in regional areas where people are having difficulty accessing Medicare‑based mental health services.
- Funding of $14.4 million over five years will make it easier for people with mental illness to access information and clinical support services by developing a national e‑mental health portal and virtual clinic which will be enhanced by the NBN.
These initiatives build on the Government's existing commitments of:
- $352.2 million of investments in telehealth consultations via the internet which will provide patients in remote, regional and outer metropolitan Australia better access to specialists. These investments will also be enhanced by the rollout of the NBN; and
- $41 million for the expansion of existing primary care practices in regional Australia to fund general practices, primary care, community health services, and Aboriginal medical services.
