Data sources

Sources of primary health care data include:

AIHW data by geography

The AIHW releases data at a range of geographies, including by areas smaller than states and territories. Reporting at these smaller, more ‘local’ areas can show results that may be masked by results for the whole of Australia, or for states and territories – allowing a better understanding for the local community, clinicians, policymakers and researchers.

Primary Health Networks

On 1 July 2015, the Australian Government established Primary Health Networks (PHNs) with the aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of health services, and to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

PHNs are organisations that connect health services across a specific geographic area (a PHN area), with the 31 boundaries defined by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement Measures

The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Quality Improvement (QI) is a payment to general practices to encourage participation in quality improvement activities in the delivery of best practice care and patient outcomes. Annual reporting from the newly established national PIP Eligible Data Set brings together data collated by Primary Health Networks from over 5,700 general practices across 10 Quality Improvement Measures (QIM) that will empower general practices and primary health organisations in improving patient care, and planning for the health needs across Australia.

My Health Record

The AIHW manages and releases My Health Record data for public health and research purposes. Using My Health Record for secondary purposes will open a range of possibilities to fill data gaps by allowing the health sector to better understand how Australia’s health system is used, as well as gaining valuable insights into the health outcomes for patients.

The AIHW is working closely with the Department of Health, the Australian Digital Health Agency and other stakeholders to achieve this, within the Framework to guide the secondary use of My Health Record system data.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific primary health care

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific primary health care organisations play a critical role in improving the health of Indigenous Australians. Results from the Online Services Report (OSR) and the national Key Performance Indicators (nKPI) contain information on organisations funded by the Australian Government under its Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme (IAHP) to deliver culturally appropriate primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.