Delivering the Government's broader health reforms
The Government will invest an extra $20 billion in public hospitals — matched by new national standards to provide better information on the health system and make sure that money goes straight to hospitals and straight to patients.
Delivering on health reform
In February 2011 the Commonwealth, and all States and Territories signed a new deal on National Health Reform.
The Government will pay 50 cents in every new dollar of hospital spending under activity‑based funding, with guaranteed funding of $16.4 billion from 2014‑15 to 2019‑20.
The States and Territories are also receiving $3.4 billion over four years to improve emergency departments, elective surgery, and provide an extra 1,300 sub‑acute hospital beds.
Reforming primary health care
A strong primary health care system is key to providing patients with the health care they need when and where they need it.
The new agreement will lead to a more integrated primary health care system including by bringing forward the establishment of more Medicare Locals.
It also fast tracks reforms to after‑hours GP care to enable Medicare Locals to plan, and support, local face‑to‑face GP after‑hours services.
A well managed health system
The benefits of increased growth funding will be enhanced by a national funding pool to improve transparency and accountability of funding flows.
This means that hospitals will be paid the same way, delivering unprecedented transparency in hospital funding arrangements.
Better health system reporting will be achieved through a National Health Performance Authority.
The Government is taking on a greater share of public hospital costs