Regular reporting of national health expenditure is vital to understanding the health system and its relationship to the economy as whole. In 2018–19:
- Total health spending was $195.7 billion, equating to $7,772 per person.
- Health spending increased by 3.1%, which was slightly lower than the decade average of 3.5%.
- The majority of health spending went on hospitals (40.4%) and primary health care (33.5%).
- Health spending accounted for 10% of overall economic activity.
This report includes data from before the COVID-19 pandemic. For data and information that relates to COVID-19, please see our COVID-19 resources.