Spending trends by sources

During 2020–21, total health spending was $220.9 billion. Of this, more than two-thirds (70.6% or $156.0 billion) was government funded (42.7% by the Australian Government and 27.9% from state and territory governments). The remaining 29.4% was funded by non‑government sources (Figure 8). The proportion of non-government sources in total health spending was lower than in 2019–20 (29.6%) despite a rebound after declining in the first year of the pandemic in Australia. 

Figure 8: Proportion of total health spending by source of funds, current prices, 2010–11 to 2020–21

The line graph shows that the proportions of total health spending by source of funds remained relatively stable between 2010–11 and 2020–21. The Australian Government and state and territory governments funded majority of total health spending in 2020–21, with each source funding 42.7 per cent and 27.9 per cent respectively. Non-government sources made up the rest with individuals, health insurance providers and other non-government sources funding 15.0 per cent, 8.2 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively in 2020–21.