Health spending in each state and territory

Of total health spending in 2023–24, more than half (54.7%) was spent in New South Wales ($80.0 billion) and Victoria ($68.0 billion) combined. These states also accounted for over half of Australia’s population (approximately 57%) (see Figure 3; Table 37).

From 2022–23 to 2023–24, the growth in total health spending varied across jurisdictions, ranging from –1.5% in Victoria to 6.3% in the Australian Capital Territory. 

Figure 3: Total health expenditure for each state and territory, constant prices (a), 2013–14 to 2023–24

The line graph shows that total health spending was highest for New South Wales and lowest for the Northern Territory over the decade up to 2023–24. In 2023–24, total health spending was $80.0 billion for New South Wales and $3.5 billion for the Northern Territory. Total health spending increased between 2022–23 and 2023–24 for all states and territories except Vic, Vic’s health spending decreased slightly from 68.9 billion to 68.0 billion between 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The line graph shows that total health spending was highest for New South Wales and lowest for the Northern Territory over the decade up to 2023–24. In 2023–24, total health spending was $80.0 billion for New South Wales and $3.5 billion for the Northern Territory. Total health spending increased between 2022–23 and 2023–24 for all states and territories except Vic, Vic’s health spending decreased slightly from 68.9 billion to 68.0 billion between 2022–23 and 2023–24.
  1. Constant price health spending is in 2023–24 prices.

Note: Spending increased in 2016–17 for South Australia (SA) due to a large one-off capital project.

Source: AIHW Health Expenditure Database (Table 4).

In 2023–24, average per capita health spending was relatively consistent across all states and territories, except for the Northern Territory where average spending reached $13,674 per person, compared with the national average of $10,037 (Figure 4). 

Figure 4: Average total health expenditure per person (a) for each state and territory, constant prices (b), 2013–14 to 2023–24

The line graph shows average total health spending per person across Australian states and territories from 2013–14 to 2023–24. From 2013–14 to 2018–19, spending remained relatively stable across all regions. A sharp increase began in 2019–20 and peaked in 2021–22, with the Northern Territory (NT) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) reaching the highest per-person amounts (close to or above $12,000). After 2021–22, spending declined across all states but remained higher than pre-2019 levels. NT consistently recorded the highest per-person spending, while ACT, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia fell into a mid-range. Tasmania and South Australia slightly exceeded the larger states but remained well below NT and ACT.

The line graph shows average total health spending per person across Australian states and territories from 2013–14 to 2023–24. From 2013–14 to 2018–19, spending remained relatively stable across all regions. A sharp increase began in 2019–20 and peaked in 2021–22, with the Northern Territory (NT) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) reaching the highest per-person amounts (close to or above $12,000). After 2021–22, spending declined across all states but remained higher than pre-2019 levels. NT consistently recorded the highest per-person spending, while ACT, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia fell into a mid-range. Tasmania and South Australia slightly exceeded the larger states but remained well below NT and ACT.
  1. Based on ABS annual estimated resident population (Table 37).
  2. Constant price health spending is in 2023–24 prices.

Notes:

  1. The ACT per person figures need to be treated cautiously, since a large volume of ACT spending are for NSW residents; The ACT population is therefore not an appropriate denominator.
  2. Spending increased in 2016–17 for SA due to a large one-off capital spending project.

Sources: AIHW Health Expenditure Database; Australian Bureau of Statistics (2025): National, state and territory population, Dec 2024. (Table 5).

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