Summary
The report primarily covers funding by government and non–government, in key areas of expenditure: primary health care, (including MBS unreferred medical services, community and public health), hospitals, referred medical services, aged care and other health related areas of spending.
Key facts:
- Over the period 2019–20 to 2021–22, total estimated health spending on the response to COVID–19 in Australia was $47.9 billion.
- Governments spent an estimated $47.0 billion on the health response to COVID–19 during 2019-20 to 2021-22, the Australian Government contributed $35.1 billion (75%) and state and territory government $11.9 billion (25%).
- Individuals spent an estimated $0.9 billion on COVID–19 related health goods and services such as, rapid antigen tests, personal protective equipment, and sanitiser.
- The main areas of government expenditure were primary care ($27.9 billion), including public health spending on the vaccine roll out ($6.1 billion), and public hospitals ($10.5 billion).
- Australia ranked seventh lowest out of 36 OECD countries in terms of additional health spending during 2020 to 2022.
- Australia’s total excess mortality rate during 2020–2022 was 4%, which was the fifth lowest outcome compared to 30 other countries.