Spending by source
Total health system spending on the response to COVID–19 was $47.9 billion over the three financial years of the pandemic (2019–20 to 2021–22). This represented 7.2% of total health spending during the same period. In 2021–22, when COVID–19 related spending was at its highest, it made up 10.9% of total health spending.
The total government spending was estimated to be $47.0 billion combining the Australian Government spending through the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response (NPCR) and spending by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The Australian Government spent $35.1 billion, which is equivalent to 75% of total government spending on COVID-19, while state and territory governments spent $11.9 billion. An estimated $878 million was spent by individuals on COVID–19 related items such as, rapid antigen test, masks and respirators, and sanitiser.
Source of funding | 2019–20 | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Government | 6,528 | 15,023 | 25,470 | 47,021 |
Australian Government NPCR | 2,462 | 4,031 | 6,658 | 13,151 |
Australian Government Dept of Health and Aged care | 2,073 | 7,316 | 12,599 | 21,988 |
State and territory governments NPCR | 1,993 | 3,675 | 6,214 | 11,881 |
Individuals | 45.9 | 113.3 | 718.8 | 878.1 |
Total COVID–19 spending | 6,574 | 15,136 | 26,189 | 47,899 |
Total health spending | 202,588 | 221,327 | 241,316 | 665,231 |
COVID–19 spending as a share of total health spending (%) | 3.2 | 6.8 | 10.9 | 7.2 |
Source: National Health Funding Body, Dept of Health and Aged Care, IQVIA.